documentaction

Documentaction !!

With Research proposals now complete, the boys have hit their first milestone.

A well-Proposed Research topic would mean that the boys should now be springing into action. It is evident that this is not the case for many boys at all. The bad news is time is of the essence, the good news it this is not a problem.

If the proposal does not present a clear way forward, an effective plan of action is now a priority and must be prepared.

If the proposal does not outline a clear choice of research processes then ethical research choices must be made.

Something is non-negotiable however; everything students do, the inevitable changes, deviations, unforeseen obstacles and actions and choices made; must be documented.

A good Research Project is not about the Outcome (at best the final “thing” is 15% of the total achievement level).

A high-achieving Research Project is about justifying, developing and substantiating. If a student doesn’t have complete records of these events, made at the time they occur, then the “Process” can’t be made clear.  The evidence must be readily available; ready to be at the boys’ disposal when the pointy end of the Research Project arrives in Term 2.

So for now, it is all about Documentaction!!

RESEARCH PROJECT: DECISIONS IN AN ENVIRONMENT of UNCERTAINTY

Capabilities,  …What’s in it for me?.

These things called Capabilities are the threads that tie the Research Project together, from beginning to end.  We are hoping that our young researchers will say, …  “by researching in my chosen area , I expect I will learn more about  (my topic) and also enhance my understanding of (blank)”.  For (blank) insert either “Work”, “Personal Development”, “Citizenship” or “Communication”.  Learning is a compulsory Capability and students must choose one of these others.  So Capabilities are one plus one.   “What’s in it for me” translates to .. “What will I get out of undertaking my chosen research journey?”.

Another useful question for our young researchers is .. “Who is my Audience?.... Who will be interested in what I find when I have researched, and acquired my new Capabilities?”

Forward-looking decisions are difficult for all age-groups because there is always uncertainty when looking ahead. The next few months have many uncertainties for the boys. Good advice is to think about the end point of research, specifically the Research Outcome and its audience. Taking such an approach as this not only focuses on what the audience might learn but how the audience might best be told.  The medium of communicating the Research outcome is not fixed; it can be a report, a product, a display, a brochure, a website or multimedia.  Successful choices now could be a great way to improve decision making in an environment of uncertainty, something that is prevalent right the way through Year 12.

Chris McGuire & Research Project Team

Feb 22

Research Project Ideas

WANTED – IDEAS – Please make one. (or More)

Ideas wanted; and not just any ideas but ideas for research. That is the challenge for Research Project (RP) students, right now.

In the near future the RP Teaching Team will help students to turn one of the ideas into a Research Proposal. But, for now, each student needs some ideas. Looking too far ahead may even see good ideas rejected, too soon.

STUDENTS

•             More ideas are better than just one at this stage.

•             This is your project, you are free to work in any area you desire

•             Who else may be interested in your idea? The fact your idea may have an

audience is powerful.

PARENTS

•             This is good dinner conversation stuff

•             Some conversation starters: current events, dreams for the future, or

some questions; What have you achieved? or What do you love doing? and What needs fixing in the world?

We have nearly sixty hours of class time until the end of the Semester.

Ideas will be shaped, reviewed, discussed and developed before an outcome is achieved. Then the whole process will be reflected upon. That is the Research Project; where the journey is far more important than the destination.

Some good reading for families:

SACE ACHIEVE Magazine Issue 3 – January 2011 p 8-13  (visit www.sace.sa.edu.au and find a link on the "Students and Families" page under "THE SACE" menu option- or jsut google...

Research Project Teaching Team in place

The teacher team is now in place for the 2011 Research Project (RP). Lots of Year 12  experience, so important; and with Tim Agnew from the Boarding House too, an important connection for all of those boys and families.

As we get into serious preparation we will draw a fair bit upon our experience of the Extended Essay Process which we have been through with every IB candidate. We are comfortable in the knowledge that the RP is much broader.

As it doesn't have to be "subject-based" the boys will have much more room for diverse, creative choices.

One thing we have picked up as we have gathered info. about the process over the past year is that every half-decent, external education program is spouting.. "suitable for the RP..", obviously a great incentive for those external programs to do so; have their programs validated at such a high level. We are in no hurry to do a complete evaluation and send boys in this direction; it does add another layer between our team and the boys and could create an environment for mixed messages. I think it might only work for the highly organised Yr 12 candidate.

One last thing, some of the self-starting types are asking, "I want to get underway.."; only a few at this stage but I'll be in touch about that before the term ends.

Chris McGuire Nov 2010