Sunday, September 26, 2010

Another reason for your Senior Research Project

Universities are places where facts are made. Research is a collaborative process, so scientists need lab assistants, humanities researchers need library aides and graduate students need all the help they can get. A curious, competent undergraduate can always find work assisting a researcher.
Regardless of the field and the specific project, helping them helps you. The obvious benefits are new skills and invaluable experience. But there is also something powerful in seeing how the right experimental or analytical approach can sort through a mess of observations and opinion to identify real associations between phenomena, like a gene variant and a disease, or a financial tool and the availability of credit. With a window into the world of research, you will find yourself thinking more critically, accepting fewer assertions at face value and perhaps developing an emboldened sense of what you can accomplish.
Most important: research experience shows you how knowledge is produced. There are worse ways to prepare for life in an information age.
— AMAN SINGH GILL, Ph.D. student in the ecology and evolution department at Stony Brook University

Class Work and Homework Week 3


Day
Class Work
Homework
Monday
Activities 13 and 14

Briefing on afterschool Tutoring and computer services
Redraft Letters of Intent
As needed.  See example in Pages 16 and 17 in SEnior Project Pathfinder Guide.

You must get my approval for your project.  It is strongly recommended that students still struggling with the grammar and syntax issues get additional help from UCLA students in Library or Room 603 Staff after school.

Description of Physical Project Due Wednesday
See Pages 12-14 in Senior Project Pathfinder Guide

Tuesday
Review Exercise 14 and 15
Exercise 16
Wednesday
Exercise 17
Generate Thesis for your timed Essay
Read Exercise 18 Instructions
Thursday
Review Exercises 18 and 19
Exercise 20
Friday
In class timed essay: Exercises 18-20 in practice in Expo Comp Text
Twenty Index Cards with Facts, Statistics, Statements from Authorities/experts, and 1 personnel example/anecdote  on your Senior Project Topic Due Monday
Cards must be neatly written! Each student should be ready to give a 2 minute present in class. Grades based on Informative Presentation Rubric. 



100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know

Monday, September 20, 2010

Friday September 24th Class Meets in Library

Class meets in Library to review Research Methods.

BE ON TIME!!!!!

Print me for 100 Bonus Points

This proves that I have been to the Website for  Expository Composition. I am aware that Doc C posts most of our assignments online. 

I promise to check this website frequently in order to reach my goal of graduating, going to college, and working at something I love!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

What is a Strategic Plan?

What is a Strategic Plan?  

Your mission is to complete your Senior Project. The best way to achieve your goal is to PLAN. A Strategic Plan is a series of "benchmarks" that you meet in order to complete your mission.


1 Take Stock of your situation
This "taking stock" is always done to some extent, whether consciously or unconsciously. For example, during strategic planning, it's important to assess what are all your obligations and commitments.  For example, you are taking other classes, volunteering, have football, volleyball, track practice etc. 
2. Analyze the Situation 
For example, during strategic planning, planners often conduct a "SWOT analysis". (SWOT is an acronym for considering your strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and threats faced by your project).
For example you are great on computers but weak on composition therefore you may be able to conduct part of your research quickly but you will need to leave more time for editing your drafts. You have been volunteering at a community center so you already have your experts and survey candidates lined up etc.  You have been working at a museum and already have your mentor chosen. 
3Establish Goals
Based on the analysis and alignment to the overall mission, planners establish a set of goals that build on strengths to take advantage of opportunities, while building up weaknesses and warding off threats.
4Establish Strategies to Reach Goals

  • Make yourself a weekly schedule in order to reach your objectives.
  •  Find a " Study Buddy" to support you in reaching your goals. 
  •  Schedule weekly meetings with your mentor to review your progress. 

Introduction to the Literature


In this section you review the literature in your field of study.  You should conduct enough research on your topic to be able to discuss:

  Where we are today  what the experts in the field know about have your subject  The basic facts  What are the unsolved problems, obstacles,impediments to the change you believe in   in the field that interest you.  This week your should conduct your  Pre-search - Familiarize yourself with your topic. Read an article from an encyclopedia or even Wikipedia to get an overview of the topic.  Next find the major professional societies and government institutions in the field. For example: The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Producers and Engineers Wing for audio projects National Institute of Health for medical and health projectsSociety of Automotive Engineers for car racing oriented The National Restaurant Association, Epicurious.com or Slow Food.com for Food related projects Determine your sub-topics. Review encyclopedia/wikipedia articles, or books to see how the topic is broken up to help you determine your sub-topics Select your resources. Remember you are never committed to one and can delete or add a resource at another timeRead and take notes Write your rough draft summarizing "where we are today" PLEASE NOTE WIKIPEDIA IS NOT CONSIDERED A CREDIBLE SOURCE, I.E. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY PEER-REVIEWED BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD. HOWEVER IT CAN Be A CONVENIENT STARTING PLACE. ANYTHING YOU FIND ON WIKIPEDIA SHOULD BE CONFIRMED BY AT LEAST 2 OTHER CREDIBLE SOURCES. 
Example starting phrases:
As of 2010 the major researchers in the field believe that...
Today we understand that...
Over the last 20 years scientists have discovered...
In the last X years, psychologists have learned that young adults need...
The major Surrealist critics believe that....
Recent improvements in auto racing technology include...
Facts and Statistics example phrases:
Twenty percent of  X... suffers from Y
It is shocking to realize that only X percent of children have access to Y. Although Restaurant jobs represent10 percent of employment in California many illegal workers are not counted...Sample data source from The Restaurant Industry Association

Class Assignments September 20-24

In class assignments and class updates trump blog posts

Senior Project Steps/Benchmarks for September 20-24

    1.       .     Revised Senior Letter due Wednesday
    2.      .    First Draft “Introduction to the Problem/Issue” with Literature Review due Friday. Section should be approximately 1 ½ typed double-spaced pages that introduce the reader to your topic.
  • You must write a clear thesis statement for your argument. You must take a stand for or against an action or idea. This section should cover a “review of the literature” on your topic, i.e. you need to provide the background information so that the reader understands the topic.
  • Find your mentor by Friday and draft your weekly plan. 



Monday
Activity 9 Looking Closely at Language
Activity 10 Considering the Structure of the Text
Tuesday
Activity 11 Revising Key Vocabulary
                           Loaded Words are words that attempt to influence the reader/listener by appealing to emotion.  They have strong connotations and are used to elicit a strongly positive or negative reaction.
Activity 12 Getting Ready to Write
Revised Senior Letters are DUE

Wednesday
Activity 13 Summarizing and Responding
Activity 14 Thinking Critically HOMEWORK

Thursday
Activity 15   Reading The Assignment
Activity 16  Getting Ready to Write
1st Draft Senior Project Section 1 is due, Submit Name of Mentor and Weekly Plan based on Senior Project Survival Guide
Friday
Activity 17 Formulating a Working Thesis