Date of Completion

Spring 5-24-2018

Document Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

First Advisor

Peter J. Taylor

Community Engaged/Serving

Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage

Abstract

Piloting is an approach that can be used when introducing a desired change. It allows for smaller scale trial and leaves room for modification prior to full implementation. When applicable, this approach can be a proactive way to avoiding any potential issues or conflicts relating to the change. As a graduate student in the Critical and Creative Thinking program at UMass Boston, I have explored the concept of pilot projects for three years, planning and implementing, and revising 3 pilot projects. These pilot projects include: Meeting of the Mind’s, a space in which members of the community are invited to join a discussion on best practices in Early Childhood Education; a train the trainer model for fostering trauma sensitive environments in Early Childhood classrooms; and a play–based learning environments pilot that addresses the absence of play in Early Childhood programs. This synthesis includes a reflection on effective planning, implementation, and evaluating of pilot projects, using experience and data from my own personal pilot projects, pilots within my community, and literature reviews. A connection is made between pilot projects and Action Research, providing information on processes and tools that can used to enhance the design and success of a pilot project.

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