Month: December 2022

Research Projects: Why the Process is More Important than the Final Product

Published on by Sandy Davis

Research projects are an essential part of the English and Language Arts classroom. These types of projects allow students to develop critical thinking skills, improve their writing, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject they are studying. By focusing on the process of research, rather than just the end product, teachers can help students become more confident and skilled writers.

On the other hand, simply providing students with a large project prompt and little guidance can often result in unweildy papers that contain large amounts of cut-and-pasted information, irrelevant quotes and blocks of text, and pla·gia·rized passages.

One of the key benefits of focusing on the research process is that it helps students develop critical thinking skills. When students are given the opportunity to conduct their own research, they are forced to think for themselves and evaluate the credibility of the sources they are using. This can be a challenging task, but it is an important part of the learning process. By teaching students how to evaluate sources, teachers can help them become more discerning readers and writers.

Another benefit of focusing on the process of research is that it can improve students’ writing skills. When students are given the opportunity to conduct their own research, they are exposed to a wide range of information and ideas. This can help them develop their own ideas and arguments, which they can then use to improve their writing. By focusing on the process of research, teachers can help students become more confident and skilled writers.

Finally, focusing on the process of research can help students gain a deeper understanding of the subject they are studying. When students conduct their own research, they are not simply regurgitating information that has been presented to them by their teacher or a textbook. Instead, they are actively exploring the topic and forming their own conclusions. This can help them develop a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the subject.

In conclusion, the process of research is an essential part of the writing classroom. By focusing on this process, teachers can help students develop critical thinking skills, improve their writing, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject they are studying. By providing students with the opportunity to conduct their own research, teachers can help them become more confident and skilled writers.

Classroom activties for students learning the research process:

  1. Brainstorm topic ideas in small groups
  2. Make a mindmap
  3. Develop a list of key words
  4. Find and evaluate at least 3-5 sources on your topics
  5. Learn the difference between primary and secondary sources
  6. Compare the results of different search engines
  7. Take notes on index cards
  8. Write a thesis statement
  9. Make and outline
  10. Give a short talk on your research process and what you’ve learned about your topic so far

Self-Care During the Winter Months

Published on by Sandy Davis

It’s completely normal to feel a bit down during the winter months, when the days are shorter and the weather is colder. But there are things you can do to avoid feeling depressed and maintain your mental well-being. Here are some suggestions for stayting positive during the winter months:

1. Enjoy the season. Winter has its own beauty and charm. Take time to appreciate the holiday lights and the coziness of being inside on a cold day.

2. Get some sunlight. Natural sunlight can help boost your mood and energy levels, so try to get outside for at least a few minutes each day, even if it’s just to take a quick walk around the block.

3. Move your body. Exercise has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress, so try to incorporate some form of physical activity into your daily routine. This could be as simple as taking a walk, doing some yoga, or going to the gym.

4. Stay connected. It’s easy to feel isolated during the winter months, but staying connected with friends, family, and loved ones can help boost your mood and prevent feelings of loneliness. Consider hosting a game night, going to a movie, or inviting friends over for dinner.

5. Take care of yourself. Winter can be a busy time, but it’s important to make time for self-care. This could include taking a relaxing bath, getting a massage, or simply curling up with a good book

Remember, it’s okay to feel a bit down during the winter, but there are things you can do to avoid feeling depressed. By incorporating these suggestions into your daily routine, you can maintain your mental well-being and enjoy the winter months.

The Differences between Gamification and Game Design in the Classroom

Published on by Sandy Davis

Gamification and game design are two strategies that are often used in education to engage and motivate learners. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are some key differences between the two approaches.

Gamification is the use of game-like elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, in a non-game context to encourage certain behaviors or actions. In education, this might involve using a points system to reward students for completing assignments, participating in class, or achieving certain milestones. The goal of gamification is to make learning more fun and engaging by adding elements of competition and reward.

Game design, on the other hand, involves the creation of actual games or game-like experiences with a specific learning objective in mind. These games are designed to teach specific skills or knowledge, and are often more complex and immersive than gamified learning activities. Game design requires a deep understanding of game mechanics and the ability to create engaging and challenging experiences for learners.

One key difference between gamification and game design is the level of complexity. Gamification typically involves the use of simple game-like elements, such as points and badges, to motivate learners. Game design, on the other hand, involves the creation of entire game experiences, which may be much more complex and require more sophisticated game mechanics.

Another difference is the focus of the two approaches. Gamification is often used to motivate learners and encourage certain behaviors, while game design is focused on teaching specific skills or knowledge. This means that gamification is often used as a supplement to traditional instruction, while game design is more likely to be used as the primary method of teaching.

While gamification and game design are both strategies that can be used in education to engage and motivate learners, they are distinct approaches with some key differences. Gamification involves the use of simple game-like elements to encourage certain behaviors, while game design involves the creation of complex and engaging game experiences to teach specific skills or knowledge.

Self-Determination in the Writing Classroom

Published on by Sandy Davis

Self-determination theory is a psychological theory that explains the motivation behind human behavior. It suggests that people have a basic need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, and that satisfying these needs is essential for psychological well-being and optimal functioning.

In the writing classroom, these three needs can be particularly important for student success and motivation.

Autonomy refers to the feeling of being in control of one’s own actions and decisions. In the writing classroom, providing students with choices and allowing them to take ownership of their own learning can foster a sense of autonomy and increase their motivation to write.

For example, giving students the option to choose their own writing topics or allowing them to collaborate with their peers on a writing project can help them feel more in control of their own learning.

Competence refers to the feeling of being capable and effective in one’s actions. In the writing classroom, providing students with the necessary tools and support to improve their writing skills can help them feel more competent and motivated to write.

For example, offering writing workshops along with individualized instruction and student-teacher writing conferences can help students develop their skills and feel more confident in their abilities.

Relatedness refers to the feeling of connectedness to others. In the writing classroom, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment can help students feel more connected to their peers and teachers. This can increase their motivation to write, as they feel that their writing is valued and appreciated by others.

For example, providing opportunities for students to write about topics and issues they care about about, having students share their writing with their peers or a larger audience, and making sure students receive timely and constructive feedback from the instructor or their peers, can help them feel more connected and motivated.

Overall, incorporating the principles of self-determination theory in the writing classroom can help foster a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness among students, which can in turn increase their motivation and engagement in the writing process. By supporting students in satisfying their basic psychological needs, teachers can help them become more confident and successful writers.

Five Ways to Promote Student Autonomy

Published on by Sandy Davis

As educators, one of our main goals is to help our students become independent and self-directed learners. But how can we do that?

One way is to promote student autonomy in the classroom. This means giving students the opportunity to make their own decisions and choices about their learning.

Here are five ways you can promote student autonomy in your classroom:

  1. Offer choices: Give students the opportunity to choose the topic they want to learn about, the project they want to work on, or the group they want to work with. This allows them to take ownership of their learning and feel more invested in the process. Encourage students to take ownership of their learning by providing them with choices and allowing them to make decisions about their assignments and projects.

  2. Encourage self-reflection: Help students to think about their own learning and progress. Encourage them to set goals for themselves and reflect on their progress towards achieving those goals. This will help them to become more self-aware and take responsibility for their own learning.

  3. Foster independence: Encourage students to take charge of their own learning and to seek out help when they need it. This could mean setting up a resource center where students can access books and other materials, or providing opportunities for students to work on their own or in small groups.

  4. Provide regular feedback to students on their progress and encourage them to reflect on their own learning and development.

  5. Continuously assess and evaluate your teaching methods to identify what is working and what can be improved, and make changes as needed to support student autonomy.