Week+3+Technology+and+Student+Research

**What the Experts Say: Discussion on the Expert's Ideas**


 * What surprised you about the information presented and why?**

I am not too surprised. The corporate representative is the most pragmatic, using whatever works, with emphasis on being on the cutting edge of learning methods. The higher ed representative is research oriented, so no surprises there. The K-12 teaches more comprehensive skills as they have to start form the beginning, for example defining the topic.


 * How do expert strategies compare with the strategies presented last week?**

I think if you get to the very bottom, all three correspond to last week's strategies, just in different wording and terminology. This is correct since everyone's research goals are similar and methodology can only differ by so much to be effective and efficient.


 * What are the similarities to teaching research skills to the different age levels of students? What are the differences?**

I think there are significant differences. Adults learn differently. Far more practical as opposed to book learning for example. It is for this reason that the corporate representative differs from the other two more. Children and those in academia emphasize the steps in which to get there more I believe and thus they structure their models more methodically.


 * Which level intrigues you the most? Why?**

Corporate, possibly because that is my audience at work. I have been relating to this audience for several years now. Personally, this fits me better as I care just a little more about the destination than the means to get there.

**Critical Components of Research**

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This middle school student started well by trying to be methodical in creating a list of items to research. Based on the models presented in section 3.4, being methodical means starting from the beginning with a clearly defined plan of action. In this situation, I think the Big 6 method is a good research method to use.
 * Research Assessment**

The first step should be to define the task. I would assist the student by sitting him down and telling him to tell me in his own words how he intends to approach this project and what he knows thus far. I will then teach him the Big 6 method and ask him to indicate where he is and to apply it to his own project.

The topic of “The Dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide” is set. A quick search should be done to identify what this chemical is and what possible dangers may be involved. In other words, to gain some basic background knowledge so that when more in depth research is done in the next step, it will make sense.

The next step is to define the strategies to search for information. This involves first going to the most obvious sources, such as reviewing the textbook and doing a Google search. Armed with the preliminary findings, a visit to the library should be done to seek out more detailed information.

I am not certain what subtopic means on the student's worksheet. For me, I noting the research found is adequate with the relevant points highlighted for the synthesis stage. Perhaps the student meant for subtopic to be a way to group the research together for organization. In that case, it makes sense.

His first site, [|www.dmho.org], is a great general resource. In the special reports section, there is enough detail to find out the main hazards to build the paper around. The armory.com page cannot be located when I tried. The [|www.msu.edu] page is a personal page and the information cannot be used in a proper research paper. The junkscience.com article, although coming from a recognized author, needs further verification on its authenticity. Regardless, the article is too old to be referenced since it was written in 1997 and science needs to be current. On the next sites quoted, several do not link. The wikipedia reference should not be used in proper research, neither should answers.com. Those sites are purely for general information and the accuracy of the information cannot be verified. The freerepublic.com article is usable. The internet research done is a very good start. The next step must be to go to a library and seek out textbooks and periodicals.

With information found, the student needs to be coached on how to use it, and lay it out to form a cohesive argument. Information synthesis is the name of this step where the student presents the findings and begins to formulate ideas for the conclusion. Finally comes the critical evaluation step where points synthesized are presented in an essay form with a proper introduction, research presentation, synthesis and conclusion steps.