Research+and+Academic+Skills


 * The purpose of this class is for students to explore different research topics evaluating, analyzing, and synthesizing information. They will create a visual, written or both presentation of what they learned to share with and teach their fellow students. I want students to blog about the research process in order to connect with other students to get advice, help, or encouragement.
 * I will be using Opposing Viewpoints as one resource for research topics. I will also use web sites for students to go to and perhaps use some databases so students can find their own resources.
 * My idea right now is to create a Wiki as a home page where there will be a table of contents,such as appears on the right side of this Wiki page, where students will go to link to whatever we will be working on for that day or for those days. I changed my mind about this and decided to use the virtual campus, which I think will better meet my needs.
 * The class is called Research and Academic Skills. It is the first time this class will be offered at my middle school.
 * There are three areas that I would like to work on for this class. First, students will be mapping their test scores using powerpoint and I want to set up a sample for students to use. Second, students will use Opposing Viewpoints and other databases to study "hot topics." Last, I will set up a sample research unit that my students and I will study together using the Big 6.
 * So, here we go. Come with me to the [|St. Vrain Virtual Campus].
 * Where I hope to go from here is that I want to add some more to my explorers part of the virtual campus. I want students to compare and contrast who they studied to another explorer so that they can make connections and reflect about what explorers do, what they accomplished, and perhaps the bad that has come along with the good. I also want to add something about presentations and how to make good ones. I want to add a part about evaluating websites and a part about cybersafety. Woo! That's a lot.
 * One place I would like help from Jerry or Bud is with presentations. I would like to film students doing their presentations. This could be used as a lesson to show kids how to create the video and then load it so that we can share it with others. Then, in the future, students could use a video podcast as their presentation. I am also open to ideas about how to get students to present. And I'm worried about biting off more than I can chew. I know during the school year, work can get overwhelming; so taking on something new, like podcasting, may be more than I can handle?