Writing A Research Paper

Usha AryaUsha Arya

Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle SchoolMartin Luther King, Jr. Middle School

1290 Ivey Ranch Road1290 Ivey Ranch Road

Oceanside, CA 92057Oceanside, CA 92057

Introduction

Writing research papers are essential Writing research papers are essential learning experiences in every student life. learning experiences in every student life. You are taking first steps towards learning You are taking first steps towards learning to do research and writing a successful and to do research and writing a successful and meaningful paper.meaningful paper.

Web Page Web Page http://ctap295.http://ctap295.ctaponlinectaponline.org/~.org/~uaryauarya/index.html/index.html

Expectations

This Internet based lesson will take This Internet based lesson will take approximately two weeks to complete. It is approximately two weeks to complete. It is expected that by the end of the unit all expected that by the end of the unit all students will:students will:

Use technology as a stimulus for learningUse technology as a stimulus for learning Improve web searching skillsImprove web searching skills Write a meaningful research paperWrite a meaningful research paper

Actual Learning

It took longer than two weeks to complete It took longer than two weeks to complete this lesson plan. At the end, students :this lesson plan. At the end, students :

Learned to navigate through various web Learned to navigate through various web sites for relevant information in a sites for relevant information in a meaningful way.meaningful way.

Knew how to take notes, write an outline Knew how to take notes, write an outline and bibliography.and bibliography.

Learned to use Excel and Power point for Learned to use Excel and Power point for their presentation.their presentation.

Successes

Most of the the students appeared to be Most of the the students appeared to be engaged throughout this activity and were engaged throughout this activity and were successful in:successful in:

Using search engines in a meaningful way.Using search engines in a meaningful way. To read and take notes on the web and write To read and take notes on the web and write

a paper.a paper. To cite sources they used. To cite sources they used.

Shortcomings

Lesson was too long for two week Lesson was too long for two week implementation.implementation.

Not enough or fast enough computers.Not enough or fast enough computers. Low interest in writing.Low interest in writing.

Students At Work

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Data Analysis

20 multiple choice questions (pre and post test) 20 multiple choice questions (pre and post test) were taken by 28 students.were taken by 28 students.

All students participated in six activities during this All students participated in six activities during this lesson. lesson.

Not all students completed writing the research Not all students completed writing the research paper.paper.

All students showed improvement in post testing.All students showed improvement in post testing. Students showed an average increase of 3.8 points.Students showed an average increase of 3.8 points.

Reflections

Not enough computers for student to work Not enough computers for student to work on.on.

Students were more excited about searching Students were more excited about searching the web than in writing the paper.the web than in writing the paper.

Difficulty in engaging low achievers. They Difficulty in engaging low achievers. They did not complete the research paper.did not complete the research paper.

Lesson plan took longer to complete.Lesson plan took longer to complete.

Revisions

More time is taken in instructing students in More time is taken in instructing students in basic computer skills.basic computer skills.

More time is needed to complete the More time is needed to complete the research paper.research paper.

Incentives to complete the project will help.Incentives to complete the project will help.

Conclusion

I learned many new skills and feel more confident I learned many new skills and feel more confident about using technology in lesson planningabout using technology in lesson planning

Students were motivated by web-based lesson Students were motivated by web-based lesson plans and seem to learn more from itplans and seem to learn more from it

I plan to create more lesson plans integrating I plan to create more lesson plans integrating technologytechnology

Working with this class was challenging and I Working with this class was challenging and I enjoyed all of itenjoyed all of it