Research Paper

	Tailor this project to meet your individual needs.......

Prepare a research paper focusing on teachers' use of the Internet to teach students in your specialty area at your grade level(s).  Sample topics might include --using the Internet to teach:  mathematics, science, or reading to elementary age students;  science to middle school students; or teaching second language learners at the elementary level or teaching students with disabilities.  It is expected that students will use remote databases including ERIC/EBSCO and other relevant data bases.

Your paper should include:

• Summary of how the Internet is being used to teach in your specialty area,

• Summary of research evidence both pro and con related to using the Internet technology to teach in your specialty area and your conclusions regarding its effectiveness,

• Guidelines for teachers related to the appropriate use of the Internet  based on your research.

• References (Follow APA style, 5th. edition.  The APA style Manual in hard copy is available at Marriott Library).  The library has also prepared a useful guide to conducting library research which includes:  tips for writing a research paper, how to use APA style to cite your sources, and many other resources.

Other handy guideline sheets based on the APA style manual are included below.  They all contain the same information; however, I have included several so that you might choose one or two that you like.

• http://depts.washington.edu/psywc/handouts/pdf/citations.pdf

• http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/vl/cite/apaex.htm

• http://contentselect.pearsoned.com/APA-style.html

• http://library.uww.edu/GUIDES/APACITE.htm

• Guide for Citing Resources --APA Style from the Ohio State University Library http://www.lib.ohio-state.edu/guides/apa.pdf (You need the free program Adobe Acrobat to view this 2-page file).

• http://www.fsu.edu/~library/guides/apa_style.html

• http://www.usd.edu/library/instruction/apa5.pdf

• APA Style Guide for Electronic Media by APA http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html

• http://www.library.ualberta.ca/guides/citation/index.cfm - see section 3 on citing electronic sources

• CourseCompass Guide to APA:  http://contentselect.pearsoncmg.com/index.html

Your text is written in APA style.  Please note how the authors cite their sources in the body of the text and also in the reference list.

The following rubric will be used to evaluate your  research paper.  Papers may be revised and resubmitted for slightly less than full points.

Your research paper should be prepared using a word processor and be 6 pages in length, single-spaced plus references.  The draft version should be submitted in hard copy form by February 27.  Papers will be returned by mail about March 22  with feedback. Please re-submit the hard copy of your first draft with my feedback in class on April 10th. and a digital copy of your revisions via e-mail or the Digital Drop Box by April 17th. 

•  Online Student Inquiry-Based Project

  • Inquiry-Based Project (developed with an instructor approved online editing tool such as UEN's Tpours Editor, TrackStar, or Filamentality).
  • WebQuest (developed with an instructor approved online editing tool), or
  • Instructor approved alternative project.

  These projects will be posted to your "My UEN" accounts and linked to the "Lesson Plan tool" and "Rubric Maker."  All projects and development tools must be approved by the instructor before work is begun.

   

• Individual Project

  • Class Web Page Published on the Davis district Server (must use an HTML editing program approved by the Davis district).
  • Instructional Web Page Published on the Davis district Server (must use an HTML editing program approved by the Davis district).  Suggestions include:  inquiry-based project, problem-based website, website to display student work.
  • Electronic Portfolio for Students or Yourself Published on "My UEN" or linked to "My UEN."
  • PowerPoint Multimedia Presentation Published on "My UEN."
  • SURWEB Multimedia Presentation linked to "My UEN."
  • Grant Proposal to Obtain Needed Hardware or Software (prepared  using a word processor and submitted as an email attachment or via the Digital Drop Box on CourseCompass.com).
  • Alternative project.

  All projects and development tools must be approved by the instructor before work is begun.

   

• Professional Development Activity

  • Attend a workshop from the Davis district ETC or UEN that will prepare you to complete your individual project.  The ETC offers full day workshops on designing and publishing web pages to the Davis school district server, as well as many other topics.  Roger Martin suggested that teachers who desire to complete workshops at the ETC should ask their principals for a substitute (each school receives 20 paid sub days per years to send teachers to the ETC for training).

    Signup for workshops at ETC and UEN early!  UEN workshops are cancelled unless 4 individuals enroll for a session, so register early and prepare a backup plan.

     

    • Documentation:  Send me an email after you complete the workshop describing the experience and how it applies to fulfilling your individual project.

  OR

  • Attend the UCET conference on March 7 (also the morning of March 8, if you can). Betty Spencer has agreed that Staff Development in Davis district will pay your sub.  Please ask your principal to pay the $35 registration fee. 

     

    • Documentation:  Send me an email by briefly describing the 3 best sessions you attended and the ideas you discovered for integrating the Internet into your teaching.

Assignments

• Preparation for Class (completion of preliminary activities needed for labs).
• Completion of Assigned Readings and Participation on Online Discussion Forum (CourseCompass.com).

Class Participation & Completion of Labs

• Please give your full attention to the instructor and participate in assigned activities.  Assisting colleagues in class is encouraged; however, please speak quietly and rejoin the class activity as soon as possible. Refrain from using your computer for other than assigned lab activities.  As a courtesy, please mute or turn off all electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, beepers).  If you must answer a call, please do so outside the classroom.

Other

• Students are required to maintain a working email account (Davis district, U of U account, or through an ISP of their choice).  The email account must be linked to your CourseCompass.Com personal information to facilitate communication with the instructor and colleagues.  (If you need assistance, linking your email address to your personal information on CourseCompass.com, please let me know).

• Please check CourseCompass.com at least twice weekly.  Important class announcements will be posted there.  If I need to be absent due to illness or inclement weather, I will post an announcement, and if possible, send an email.

Grading