an action research on the design of internet research projects for students hideto d. harashima...
TRANSCRIPT
An Action Research on the Design of
Internet Research Projects for Students
Hideto D. Harashima
Maebashi Institute of Technology
Introduction
Dull writing practice Importance of adopting research projects for
writing development The WWW -- rich information resource for
EFL students Most EFL students are unfamiliar with
information search in a foreign language How should we guide them?
Four Years of Empirical Study
Indivisualistic Action Research Trials and reflections on improving “Search
and Write” activities Seven Keys to a Good Search and Write
Project
Seven Keys to a Good Search and Write Project 1. Teacher control 2. Student autonomy 3. Variety of information sources 4. Subjective over Objective information search 5. Appropriate instruction on search techniques 6. Appropriate selection of research topics and
methods 7. Project memo
1. Teacher control
Novice students to the Internet Disoriented and easy to go astray Class gets disorderly Sheltered research projects with substantial
teacher control is desirable a portal site as a base CIA World Fact Book project (1)
2. Student autonomy
The essence of research -- autonomous pursuit of truth --must be fostered.
Students need to be exposed to a variety of information sources.
They need to learn the information search skills.
3. Variety of information sources
Problems with one or limited sources:• critical thinking habits• Media Literacy• passive attitude among students• plagiarism
Freedom to visit a variety of sources Autonomy and responsibility
Project (2) Project (3-0)
4. Subjective over Objective information search Objective information search
• straightforward and easy• Problems
• doesn’t stimulate students’ motivation for intellectual investigation
• doesn’t develop their search skills
• doesn’t foster their critical thinking habits
• susceptible to plagiarism
Subjective information search• elevate students’ overall research competence• encourage them to think critically• urge them to create their own views after
evaluating different opinions• promotes Media Literacy
5. Appropriate instruction on search techniques
Autonomous research may end up in dismay without proper guidance on search techniques
Search techniques• search directories• search engines• effective keywords• advanced search techniques• other search tools/databases• research aid organizations
Some useful keywords
For objective information search
Data Numbers Records Statistics List Table Standing
Comparison Countries Facts Recent Transition Increase Decrease
For subjective information search
Opinions Views Review Discussion Forum Comparison Analysis Assessment Evaluation
Criticism Critic Argument Opposition Objection Controversy Conflict Difference Repercussion
Project (3)
6. Appropriate selection of research topics and methods
Not all research topics are suited for Internet search.
We need wisdom on the selection of research topics.
Awareness of the advantages and the disadvantages of Internet research and library research in terms of effectiveness and quality of information
Suitable areas of queries for the two methods
Topics suitable for researching on the Internet and in the Library
Internet current issues statistical data frequently updated data discussion results quick data search personal information controversial issues institutions and their activities IT-related information business-related information
Library historical or chronological events established values, thoughts,
theories, systems famous people in history works of specific areas
(literature, art, architecture, etc.) information about 3rd-world
countries academic studies in depth
7. Project Memo Quite a few students misunderstand task
objectives. They don’t like to consult with or show their
incomplete work to teachers. What is citation about? Have students to submit an initial and interim
project memo Help them hold clearer idea about the course of the
project
Project (4)
References
Brown-Daniel Library (2001) Library Research [Online]. Available: http://www.tnstate.edu/library/library_research.htm
Dodge, B. (2001) Seven Steps Toward Better Searching [Online]. Available: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/WebQuest/searching/sevensteps.html
Nunan, D. (1992) Research Method in Language Learning, CUP. 3. Pepperdine University Library (2001) Seven Steps to Effective
Library Research [Online]. Available: http://rigel.pepperdine.edu/instruction/bisteps.html
Wilson, F. (2001) Effective Library Research [Online]. Available: http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/resources/
Thank you!
http://keiko.maebashi-it.ac.jp/