screen capture of online research project

Research

Multipurpose use of the internet for research projects

Samples

Conduct a Tourism Research Project

Another structures research activity which provides pathways, a timeline and links to numerous related documents and websites.

Source

Marketing Tourism Products (319) Toolbox
URL

http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/toolbox/demosites/series3/319/index2.html then click on Begin Your Project then Task 2 Conduct a Research Project.
There are good resources here for guiding a learner through the research cycle which can also be previewed at the Toolbox Repository
Use Tourism students studying THT50198 Diploma of Tourism (Marketing and Product Development)
Delivery Can be delivered using a CD or loaded into a Learning Management System such as Moodle, Janisons or Blackboard.
Customisation The material in this Toolbox has been developed to allow for customisation.
Availability Details of how to purchase this Toolbox are available on the Flexible Learning Toolbox site.

Research a Business Opportunity

Preparation of a research report examining the viability of a business opportunity.

Source

Small Business Management (504) Toolbox
URL

http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/toolbox/demosites/series5/504/content/01_researchbizops/task.htm

There are good resources here for guiding a learner through the research cycle in a business situation which can also be previewed at the Toolbox Repository
Use Business Students studying Certificate IV in Small Business Management.
Delivery Can be delivered using a CD or loaded into a Learning Management System such as Moodle, Janisons or Blackboard.
Customisation The material in this Toolbox has been developed to allow for customisation.
Availability Details of how to purchase this Toolbox are available on the Flexible Learning Toolbox site.

Virtual Developing Country

A structured research activity which includes background information, virtual field trips and teacher and learner resources.

Source

Part of the Biz/ed website, developed by Mark Waterson.

URL http://www.bized.co.uk/virtual/dc/index.htm
Use Business and economics students
Delivery Can be accessed and delivered via this website
Customisation NA
Availability Publically available on the web

Documenting a democracy - Australia's story

Another structures research activity which provides pathways, a timeline and links to numerous related documents and websites.

Source Documenting a democracy website. Developed in a partnership of Australia's eight government archives, supported by the National Council for the Centenary of Federation
URL http://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/
Use Politics and economics students, literacy and ESL
Delivery Can be accessed and delivered via this website
Customisation NA
Availability Publically available on the web

John Curtin

Website with associated information for easy research and activity engagement.

Source John Curtin Memorial Library
URL http://john.curtin.edu.au/education/activities(crosswords).html
Use Learners K-6 and adult language learners. Website with associated information for easy research and activity engagement.
Delivery Visual and Text clues for downloadable crossword about aspects of John Curtin's political and personal life.
Customisation This course was designed to be used by learners from the source page.
Availability Publically available on the web

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Why include online research projects?

Online research skills are critical skills for developing technologically literate life-long learners. The goal for learners is to make a decision or solve a problem relating to the question posed. The most important work is done by the learner not the teacher. Teachers act as facilitators of learning, continuously guiding, monitoring and evaluating.

Features

  • Research projects often begin with a central or essential question based on an authentic situation that learners may encounter. The questions are often based around why, how and which is best?
  • Research projects develop learners' skills in questioning, planning, gathering, sorting and sifting, synthesizing, evaluating and reporting.
  • Learners are required to access and organise multiple reliable sources (digital, human, print).
  • Research projects ecourage data collection, synthesis, and analysis.
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Integrating online research projects

Design steps

  • Define and "map out" the dimensions of the question being explored. You can use online technologies with your learners to brainstorm sub-questions and links. (See the guide on mind mapping for further ideas).
  • The learners (either individually or in teams) plan the best ways to find pertinent and reliable information that will help them to construct answers to these questions. Establish guidelines for teamwork.
  • Direct learners to information specialists in libraries to assist them locate the best information.
  • Support learners to use social bookmaking tools to organise and collect the online sources they have researched.
  • Plan strategies for targeting and then storing the most relevant information.
  • Organise meetings (online) to encourage more systematic scanning and organizing of data.
  • Focus on activities, which will encourage synthesis. Learners may need guidance in arranging and rearranging the information so that patterns and solutions emerge.
  • Arrange online evaluation sessions where learners can determine if more research is required.
  • Provide an online presentation area where learners (individually or in groups) can report on and showcase their findings. There are a number of online options for learners to upload and share their research findings and activities. These can include the use of a personal blog, group wiki, a podcast, journal, videocast, PowerPoint presentation etc.
  • Plan to include adequate scaffolding to organize and support the investigation or inquiry and to ensure that learners do not lose their way.
  • Develop and publish a range of resources that learners may use to progress through the project (templates, flowcharts, rubrics, websites, evaluation sheet).

Assessment

The advantage of online research work is that it provides multiple opportunities to assess learning and application. You may need to develop assessment tools such as rubrics for the various stages of the research project (the process, presentation of findings, research, teamwork).

Rubrics help make your expectations clear to leaners and help you assess a variety of qualities and behaviors by clearly defining or describing the levels of skill involved.

Generic skills

Online research activities provide excellent vehicles for the development of many of the generic skills. Assessment may explicitly assess some of these skills. Some of the generic skills and attributes developed and assessed by online research projects are:

  • problem solving
  • critical thinking
  • initiative and enterprise
  • communication
  • planning and organising information
  • lifelong learning.

Technical notes

You will need to set up and manage a number of technologies such as:

  • communication technologies to facilitate collaboration and meetings between team members and teachers (email, discussion boards and chat)
  • web site or Learning Management System in which to present the research steps and links to resources
  • an online space for presenting research output and findings. Learning Management Systems such as Moodle, Janisons,  Blackboard etc provide areas for learners to upload presentations. A wide range of social networking tools enable options for learners to upload and share their research findings with co learners and the wider web community. (see the Related Strategies below).

Skills

Framing the research question is critical to the success of the research project. You will also need skills in facilitation rather than upfront teaching. Your role as a teacher will be very much that of guiding the process using a range of online technologies to encourage and enthuse learnes and to comment on their research output.

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See also

From the Framework

More resources from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework

Tools and resources

Social bookmark for this strategy

http://del.icio.us/designelearn/research

Last modified: 11/6/08