Comprehensive Exam Tips

Comprehensive Exams: Tips and Examples

Tips

Examples

IT Resources

Scholarly Tools

IT Home

Site Map

Tips Comprehensive exams are designed for learners to illustrate their understanding of a body of knowledge at the level of synthesis rather than knowledge or comprehension. This is an opportunity to show how well you can analyze and apply what you have learned in your course work. Comprehensive exam questions are either focused on theory or application and therefore must be supported by references to research and practical examples. You can ask each person on your committee for advice on how to prepare for the exam.

UTSA Steps
(1) Complete a degree plan, get signatures and find two tenured/tenure-trakc faculty to serve on your committee. This can be someone who teaches in an area of interest to you and with whom you have had courses.
(2) Submit degree plan.
(3) Ask chair of your committee to give you a study guide for comps.
(4) Prepare thoroughly, it is not uncommon for ill prepared students to re-take the exams.

Preparing for the Exam
-Review examples from previous semesters or from other institutions.
-Study and/or prepare study guides with others.
-Review materials from courses: papers, projects, texts, tests, etc.
-Identify and be able to reference key issues and authors in the field.
-Study over an extended period of time (25-40 hours).
-Give yourself enough time to study.
-Develop a strategy for taking the test, e.g. making an outline, listing major concepts, etc.
-Practice writing in a timed session.

TOP

Taking the Exam
-Read questions carefully and thoroughly, making note of key concepts.
-Write a brief introductory paragraph stating main argument clearly.
-Write a concluding paragraph that summarizes your line of argument and conclusions.
-Write a clear explanation of theory, why relevant, concrete application in the main essay.
-Do not give generic answers or recite facts.
-References support your argument. You will not be asked to include a bibliogrpahy but you should reference the names of theorists and researchers.
-Maximize time available.

TOP

Examples The examples are not representative of UTSA's Division of Education but do illustrate how questions might be phrased and responded to.

Educational Technology
Case Study
Application Answer

Library Science
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3

Math Curriculum
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3

TOP

IT Resources
Bibliography of Research And Resources on Technology and Engaged Learning
Ehrmann, S. C. (1997). Asking the Right QuestionWhat Does Research Tell Us About Technology and Higher Learning?
Becker, H. J. (1999). Internet Use by Teachers.
Doctoral Research in Educational Technology: A Directory of Dissertations1977-2000
Bruce, B. C., & Levine, J. A.. (1996 ) Educational Technology:Media for Inquiry, Communication, Construction, and Expression
The Center for Research on Information Technology & Organizations (CRITO) is a multidisciplinary research unit at the University of California, Irvine.
Collection of Research Syntheses from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI).
Comuter-mediated Communication Links from John December.
Internet use by teachers
Digital Library and Archives
Educational Technology Links Educational technology represents a very broad area of research involving a number of issues. It is not restricted to the World Wide Web nor to distance education although much of the technology being developing for collaboration is Web oriented. Generally the organizations represented here are involved in collaborative relationships with other organizations and work on a wide variety of applications such as Human Computer Interface Design, Interactive Mutlimedia Computing, Hypertext and Hypermedia, and Telematics.
Educational Technology ResearchLinks to helpful e-journals
Educational Technology Research from TechTamers all levels of learning
Education & Research using the Internet. Mostly adult education. Some helpful research and writing links.
Educational Technology Bibliography With links to purchase, in APA.
Educational Technology Research.
Electronic Reference Formats. Recommended by the American Psychological Association
ERIC Technology Links. Association, journals, etc.
Glennan, T.K., & Melmed, A. (1996). Fostering the Use of Educational Technology: Elements of a National Strategy. A RAnd Report.
Learnng Technologies Bibliography from the Canadian Office of Learning Technologies.
McNabb, M, Hawkes, M, & Rouk, Y. (1999). Critical issues in evaluating the effectiveness of technology. The DOE Secretary's Conference on Educational Technology.NSF Educational Technology Workshop (1995)
Office of Educational Technology. Links to research and resources.
Oppenheimer, T. (1997). The computer delusion. Atlantic Monthly.
Perspectives on Technology and Education Research: Lessons from the Past and Present 1Honey, M., McMillan, K., & Carrigg,F. (1999).
Points of Viewing Children's Thinking. Ricki Goldman Segal's ethnography examines how children use technology to explore science issues.
Report/Review of Current Research on Educational Technology from the Milken Family Foundation.
Report to the President on the Use of Technology to Strengthen K-12 Education in the United States President's Committee of advisors on Science and Technology Panel on Educational Technology
Research into Eduational Technology from the Open University Netherlands,OTEC research is focused on educational innovation and technology. Our projects are directed towards competency-based learning in higher education, using educational technology.
Research Unit for Educational Technology from Europe.
Ryder, M (1996).Affordances and Constraints of the Internet for Learning and Instruction
Summary of Current Research and Evaluation Findings on Technology in Education. Cradler, J.Surveys, Bibliogpraphies and Literature Reviews from McREL.
Teaching, Learning, and Computing 1998: A National Survey of Schools and Teachers
Technology Reports from the US Government
Technology Standards for Students and Teachers from the Milken Foundation.
Teachology & Webology Articles. Research articles compiled from the University of Washington.
Texas Center for Educational Technology Incudes instruments as well as research.
The classroom of the future (COTF)
The Pangaea Network
The Digital Classroom. Archives of primary sources.
The Impact of Technology: Surveys, Bibliographies, Literature Reviews
The Role of Online Communications in Schools: A National Study
The WWW Virtual Library
The Real World
Universal Design for Learning Research Links and CAST Publications for K-12, post-secondary, & community.
World Bank & OERI. (1999). Competence Without Credentials..USDOE.

Scholarly Tools
Research Engines
E-Journal Directories

TOP

last updated 4.20.02
Maintained by P.McGee

Tips	Comprehensive exams are designed for learners to illustrate their understanding of a body of knowledge at the level of synthesis rather than knowledge or comprehension. This is an opportunity to show how well you can analyze and apply what you have learned in your course work. Comprehensive exam questions are either focused on theory or application and therefore must be supported by references to research and practical examples. You can ask each person on your committee for advice on how to prepare for the exam.
UTSA Steps	(1) Complete a degree plan, get signatures and find two tenured/tenure-trakc faculty to serve on your committee. This can be someone who teaches in an area of interest to you and with whom you have had courses. (2) Submit degree plan. (3) Ask chair of your committee to give you a study guide for comps. (4) Prepare thoroughly, it is not uncommon for ill prepared students to re-take the exams.
Preparing for the Exam	-Review examples from previous semesters or from other institutions. -Study and/or prepare study guides with others. -Review materials from courses: papers, projects, texts, tests, etc. -Identify and be able to reference key issues and authors in the field. -Study over an extended period of time (25-40 hours). -Give yourself enough time to study. -Develop a strategy for taking the test, e.g. making an outline, listing major concepts, etc. -Practice writing in a timed session.
	TOP
Taking the Exam	-Read questions carefully and thoroughly, making note of key concepts. -Write a brief introductory paragraph stating main argument clearly. -Write a concluding paragraph that summarizes your line of argument and conclusions. -Write a clear explanation of theory, why relevant, concrete application in the main essay. -Do not give generic answers or recite facts. -References support your argument. You will not be asked to include a bibliogrpahy but you should reference the names of theorists and researchers. -Maximize time available.
	TOP
Examples	The examples are not representative of UTSA's Division of Education but do illustrate how questions might be phrased and responded to.
Educational Technology	Case Study Application Answer
Library Science	Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
Math Curriculum	Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3
	TOP
IT Resources	Bibliography of Research And Resources on Technology and Engaged Learning Ehrmann, S. C. (1997). Asking the Right QuestionWhat Does Research Tell Us About Technology and Higher Learning? Becker, H. J. (1999). Internet Use by Teachers. Doctoral Research in Educational Technology: A Directory of Dissertations1977-2000 Bruce, B. C., & Levine, J. A.. (1996 ) Educational Technology:Media for Inquiry, Communication, Construction, and Expression The Center for Research on Information Technology & Organizations (CRITO) is a multidisciplinary research unit at the University of California, Irvine. Collection of Research Syntheses from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI). Comuter-mediated Communication Links from John December. Internet use by teachers Digital Library and Archives Educational Technology Links Educational technology represents a very broad area of research involving a number of issues. It is not restricted to the World Wide Web nor to distance education although much of the technology being developing for collaboration is Web oriented. Generally the organizations represented here are involved in collaborative relationships with other organizations and work on a wide variety of applications such as Human Computer Interface Design, Interactive Mutlimedia Computing, Hypertext and Hypermedia, and Telematics. Educational Technology ResearchLinks to helpful e-journals Educational Technology Research from TechTamers all levels of learning Education & Research using the Internet. Mostly adult education. Some helpful research and writing links. Educational Technology Bibliography With links to purchase, in APA. Educational Technology Research. Electronic Reference Formats. Recommended by the American Psychological Association ERIC Technology Links. Association, journals, etc. Glennan, T.K., & Melmed, A. (1996). Fostering the Use of Educational Technology: Elements of a National Strategy. A RAnd Report. Learnng Technologies Bibliography from the Canadian Office of Learning Technologies. McNabb, M, Hawkes, M, & Rouk, Y. (1999). Critical issues in evaluating the effectiveness of technology. The DOE Secretary's Conference on Educational Technology.NSF Educational Technology Workshop (1995) Office of Educational Technology. Links to research and resources. Oppenheimer, T. (1997). The computer delusion. Atlantic Monthly. Perspectives on Technology and Education Research: Lessons from the Past and Present 1Honey, M., McMillan, K., & Carrigg,F. (1999). Points of Viewing Children's Thinking. Ricki Goldman Segal's ethnography examines how children use technology to explore science issues. Report/Review of Current Research on Educational Technology from the Milken Family Foundation. Report to the President on the Use of Technology to Strengthen K-12 Education in the United States President's Committee of advisors on Science and Technology Panel on Educational Technology Research into Eduational Technology from the Open University Netherlands,OTEC research is focused on educational innovation and technology. Our projects are directed towards competency-based learning in higher education, using educational technology. Research Unit for Educational Technology from Europe. Ryder, M (1996).Affordances and Constraints of the Internet for Learning and Instruction Summary of Current Research and Evaluation Findings on Technology in Education. Cradler, J.Surveys, Bibliogpraphies and Literature Reviews from McREL. Teaching, Learning, and Computing 1998: A National Survey of Schools and Teachers Technology Reports from the US Government Technology Standards for Students and Teachers from the Milken Foundation. Teachology & Webology Articles. Research articles compiled from the University of Washington. Texas Center for Educational Technology Incudes instruments as well as research. The classroom of the future (COTF) The Pangaea Network The Digital Classroom. Archives of primary sources. The Impact of Technology: Surveys, Bibliographies, Literature Reviews The Role of Online Communications in Schools: A National Study The WWW Virtual Library The Real World Universal Design for Learning Research Links and CAST Publications for K-12, post-secondary, & community. World Bank & OERI. (1999). Competence Without Credentials..USDOE.
Scholarly Tools	Research Engines E-Journal Directories
	TOP