Reconstructing the Research Habits of Today’s Student

1. Reconstructing the Research Habits of Today’s Student Susan Houts, Assistant Professor

2. Species: Today’s Student

3. Today’s Plan I: Deconstruct Current, Ineffective Research Habits II. Discuss Problems with These Habits III. Create Your Tool to Re-Construct Research Habits

4. But first… an exploration of feelings Discussion: How do our students feel about research…?

5. But first… an exploration of feelings Discussion: … And why should we careabout those feelings?

6. Frustrated Overwhelmed Wasted Time Fear (of plagiarism) Pointless Confusion

7. Let’s Get in Their Shoes… They often think…“if there is so much information out there already, what is the point…?” (More on that later…)

8. Why should we care? Overwhelmed = Fear of Failure = Avoidance = Failure… Which often results in, or looks like, plagiarism

9. What is their current process?

10. www.google.com

11. I. Observed Research Habits Step 1: Dread Step 2: Google www.google.com Step 3: Scan and Print Step 4: Write Step 5: Present

12. To find the flaws, we must answer… What are we trying to teach them?

14. Remember: Supporting material is there to give support to THEIR ORIGINAL IDEAS!

15. Problems with the current method: • Research Method • “Googling” = Wandering the Library • Organizing Method • Non-existent • Writing Method • Fitting the Ideas to the Research, instead of the other way around.

16. Internet Dependent vs. Brain Dependent “If the computer doesn’t tell me, I don’t know…” … lack of empowerment.

17. Empowerment … to have the resources, information and attitudes that allow you to take action and achieve a desired goal. SPC2608: Houtss@easternflorida.edu

18. Empowerment … to have the resources, information and attitudes that allow youto take action and achieve a desired goal. SPC2608: Houtss@easternflorida.edu

19. Let’s think back…. to B.I.…. Before the Internet….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUs7iG1mNjI

20. Ideas come from people!

21. Start HERE!...

22. … Not HERE!

23. III.Creating and Using the Workshop Tool

24. Step 1) Choose your topic Write topic here: A. Is this a topic: (circle one) that you know about or that you want to know more about

25. Step 1) Choose your topic Write topic here: Irish Culture A. Is this a topic: (circle one) that you know about or that you want to know more about

26. Step 2) Consider the Audience B) Why did you pick this topic? How will you explain your credibility to the audience? C) Why will this topic be interesting or important to your audience? Why should the audience care about this topic?

27. Step 3) Brain-Squeeze! B. What do you know, or want to know, about this topic? Brain-squeeze here:

28. Brainsqueeze v. Brainstorm

29. B. What do you know, or want to know, about this topic? Brain-squeeze here: Holidays Music St. Pat’s Irish Culture Potatoes Famous Songs Gaelic Food Language

30. Step 4) Determine Your Specific Purpose Statement

31. Specific Purpose vs Thesis? Thesis = What you are saying Purpose = Why you are saying it

32. Specific Purpose Statement “At the end of my speech/paper, the audience/reader will be able to….”

33. Specific Purpose Statement • Benefits: • 1) Focuses on observed and measurable behavior. • 2) Focuses on one idea. • 3) Considers the audience. • 4) Guides supporting material. • Answers the question: Why the heck am I writing this paper anyway?

34. Great place to discuss Bloom’s

35. Example Assignment: Write an informative essay/paper about (your topic here). Example: Write an informative paper about Orlando. Student’s Goal: To inform my audience about Orlando.

36. What could we research about Orlando?

37. What could we research about Orlando?

38. Example Assignment: Write an informative essay/paper about (your topic here). Example: Write an informative paper about Orlando. Student’s Goal: To inform my audience about Disney World

39. What could we research about Disney World?

40. What could we research about Disney World?

41. Your Discipline? • History • Humanities • Science • Math • Etc.

42. Where are you TAKING your audience? Orlando Disney World? Wet n Wild? - Don’t be TOO general Texas de Brazil? Ikea? - Keep your AUDIENCE in mind!

43. Where are you TAKING your audience? Rides vs. Shopping Old vs. Young Orlando Disney World? Wet n Wild? - Don’t be TOO general Texas de Brazil? Ikea? - Keep your AUDIENCE in mind!

44. Specific Purpose Examples At the end of my paper, my audience will be able to list three major aspects of the Disney World Theme Park. At the end of my paper, my audience will be able to explain the 5 eras of the history of Orlando.

45. At the end of my speech, the audience will be able to better interact with someone from Irish Culture based on the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.

46. Step 5) Select Main Points These may be facts; these may be questions.Relates back to Question 1 on workshop I. II. III.

47. Step 6) Create Central Idea Three aspects of Irish Culture are the food, the music and the holidays. 1) Is this statement a full sentence? Y/N 2) Is it NOT in the form of a question? Y/N 3) Does it avoid figurative language? Y/N 4) Is it written as it will be delivered to the audience? Y/N

48. Step 7) Develop Main Points

49. Main Point 1 Main Point 2 Main Point 3

50. Step 8) Plan and Conduct Research Where are you going to find answers? e.g.: websites, books, interviews: • Interview friend Annie Doyle, Irish Native • Look at Irish Tour Guidebooks from my trip • Ask mom, personal experience • Go to Irish Pub for observation and interviews