Philosophy

Philosophy. I chose to get my students to try some other options for their ISU research, gathering and organizing process. I don't impose a process on students but after asking them about their process I found a lot of them make paper notes. That's fine but they should be aware of other options and that was the learning goal here. 

I gave them a handout that directed them to get free accounts at DIIGO and EVERNOTE and they were to bookmark, annotate, make notes, save pics, links etc. 

A few already use Google docs to make notes on which is great. I couldn't get laptops, or a computer lab- as usual for this period- so I grabbed the ipads. Then I realized they can't get EVERNOTE because it's not on the SCDSB apps section. So I had them gather and organize using Google Docs. DIIGO worked well and we created a group so all their research notes and bookmarks are going into a group that we can all see.  

After the class I went on and collaborated with some of the students so I could help them with their ISU. This was great!! 

For me I realized that although it's an ISU it is really helpful for me to SEE their PROCESS and offer ideas to expand their minds on researching- TED talks etc.- things they don't automatically go to. 

Because of this activity I am going to make students use Google Docs at least once during ISU and share their work with me. 

The main reason is many students who are kind of lost in their ISU will NOT ask questions- they don't even know what questions to ask. 

When interviewing in person, often students will just say "everything is fine" and I can't prove it to myself because their research is somewhere else.  

So, in conclusion, as usual, I learned more than my students probably, but hey that's okay!! I'll be able to help them better in future ISU's. 

NEXT STEPS: 

My next step for this project is to encourage students to find information through social media by connecting to people in the filed of their study. Any ideas? Hastags on Twitter is my first thought....