Mastering the AP Capstone: Research and Seminar Skills
This 8-week online course prepares students ages 14-18 for success in AP Seminar and AP Research. Students will develop critical research, analysis, and communication skills through engaging lessons and hands-on practice.
What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
2-4 hours per week. Type: Assignments and Projects Frequency: Weekly Students will complete weekly assignments that build on the skills learned in each module. These assignments will include research exercises, writing tasks, data analysis projects, and presentation preparations. A final project in Week 8 will synthesize all skills learned throughout the course. Feedback: Weekly Instructor will provide written feedback on weekly assignments within 3-5 days of submission. This feedback will include specific comments on areas of strength and suggestions for improvement. For the final project, more comprehensive feedback will be provided, including a rubric assessment aligned with AP Capstone expectations.Certificate of Completion
includedClass Experience
Class Description: This 8-week self-paced course is designed to equip students with the essential skills needed for success in the AP Capstone program, focusing on both AP Seminar and AP Research components. Students will develop critical thinking, research, analysis, and presentation skills crucial for academic success and beyond. Class Experience: What will be taught: Students will learn a comprehensive set of skills including: -Crafting effective research questions -Evaluating source credibility using the RAVEN method -Analyzing and constructing arguments -Understanding and interpreting data -Academic writing and proper citation methods -Presentation skills -Synthesizing multiple sources and perspectives -Reflective writing techniques Topics covered: Each week focuses on a specific aspect of research and academic skills: -Introduction to AP Capstone and research methodologies -Crafting research questions and topic refinement -Source evaluation and credibility -Argument analysis and construction -Data analysis and interpretation -Academic writing and citation -Presentation skills -Synthesis and reflection Class structure: This self-paced course is divided into 8 weekly modules. Each module includes: -Video lectures explaining key concepts -Reading materials and academic articles -Short quizzes to check understanding -Practical assignments to apply learned skills Teaching style: The course employs a mix of instructional methods to cater to different learning styles: -Engaging video lectures to introduce and explain concepts -Real-world examples and case studies to illustrate key points -Guided practice exercises to reinforce learning -Open-ended assignments to encourage critical thinking and creativity Learner interaction: While this is a self-paced course, learners will have multiple opportunities for engagement: -Interactive exercises embedded in the course materials -Individual feedback on key assignments from the instructor By the end of this course, students will have a solid foundation in research, critical thinking, and communication skills, preparing them for success in AP Capstone and beyond.
Learning Goals
Develop and refine research questions that are clear, focused, and conducive to in-depth exploration.Apply the RAVEN method (Reputation, Ability to See, Vested Interest, Expertise, Neutrality) to evaluate the credibility and relevance of sources.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Week 1: Introduction to AP Capstone
Title: Foundations of AP Capstone
Description: Overview of AP Capstone program, introduction to research methodologies, developing critical thinking skills, and introduction to the QUEST framework. Lesson 2:
Week 2: Crafting Research Questions
Title: The Art of Inquiry
Description: Characteristics of effective research questions, narrowing and refining topics, practice formulating research questions, introduction to the RAVEN method for source evaluation. Lesson 3:
Week 3: Source Evaluation and Credibility
Title: Navigating the Information Landscape
Description: Evaluating source credibility, understanding bias and perspective, practicing the RAVEN method, introduction to academic databases and scholarly sources. Lesson 4:
Week 4: Argument Analysis and Construction
Title: Building Strong Arguments
Description: Identifying claims, evidence, and reasoning, analyzing argument structure, constructing valid arguments, introduction to counterarguments and rebuttals. Other Details
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
This course will utilize a variety of academic sources to teach research skills and provide practice materials. These include:
The College Board's AP Capstone curriculum guidelines
Academic journals accessed through JSTOR and Google Scholar
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for APA citation guidance
Selected articles from reputable news sources for analysis exercises
Data sets from government databases (e.g., U.S. Census Bureau, World Bank) for data analysis practice
TED Talks and academic conference presentations for studying effective presentation techniques
All sources will be age-appropriate and aligned with Outschool's content policies. Full citations will be provided for all materials used in the course.
Joined January, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
As the instructor for this AP Capstone preparation course, I bring the following qualifications and experience:
Graduate degrees. Certifications in Education.
3 years of experience teaching AP courses, including AP Seminar and AP Research
Published academic research and articles on effective research methodologies and critical thinking.
Ongoing professional development in areas of academic writing, data analysis, and presentation skills
My background ensures that I can effectively guide students through the rigorous skills required for AP Capstone success, while also adapting instruction to meet individual student needs in an online learning environment.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$25
weekly or $199 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Choose your start date
Ages: 14-18
