The Lighthouse Diary Entry #44: Research Month at the Academy (2 of 2)

Taking note of three wonderful things that happened last September regarding research skills instruction.

1. My student whom I supervise in writing the Extended Essay took the long way round in her research journey. We kicked off the term unsure of a topic to explore and her research question needed to be revised. In this case, I made her review her notes and the research plan she drew up last months ago. It was like leading a horse to water. With patience, she came back with an annotated bibliography that reflects her understanding of the topic of investigation and the required analysis specific to the subject. 

A conversation with her on the depth and breadth of the topic and the demand of the research led me to recommend that she draw map of her understanding of her topic and the relationship of ideas and concepts surrounding it. More confident now, she showed me the mind map. From there, I asked her which ideas, concepts and subconcepts speak to her in a very personal way. Then she made a choice.

After two weeks, she was able to refine her research question, write a thesis statement and draft a working outline. In our last consultation, I validated her accomplished work and reminded her of the Research Design Cycle, the documentation of her process and the 

Research is always personal. The processes and the systems that assist students in independent research must be in place as well as a mentoring culture that puts into consideration the learners' context, interest and learning styles.

2. Students need guides, frameworks and structures to follow in research. It is a process that requires disciplined thinking. My dear Griffin. An academic paper does not write itself. 

3. The research session I had with our grade 11s gave us a good glimpse of their working knowledge on research. Here are selected insights and reflections from the batch. These are compiled into a booklet which will be distributed to the MYP students.

BALIB_Research101_sept22_v2 by ZarahG

 

We are closing out the first term heading on to a week long term break. These are markers in our research journey this academic year. The second term is the shortest but, it is also the toughest. Hang on Griffins!