From Urban Legend to
Personality Theory
Skill building through independent
research
Concept
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Information Literacy skills
Authentic student-centred learning
Independent learning
Apply learning to new contexts
Skills for continuing learning
Use of online learning environment
Context
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Curriculum Focus: What do adolescents
today need to know? (Skill and content)
Focus on relevance and student interest
Opportunity to develop learning that is
transdisciplinary
Maximise choice within well constructed
learning environments
Meaningful tasks that engage and extend
Student objectives
Plan and carry out research from concept
development →presentation→report writing
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Literature search
Research methodologies
Analysis of research
Present information
Time management
Use of range of resources
Objective perspective
Focus and motivation
Structure
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Term based unit
Utilisation of mentor
Exploration of key methodological and ethical
issues
Support through the research process –
teacher, mentor, peers and toolkit
Continuous assessment using a range of
assessment methods
Presentation, then final celebration
Workshops
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Introduction to Research
Planning your research in context: Secondary
sources
The process of research
Validating sources
Presenting an academic showcase
Assessment and Evaluation
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Selection of appropriate research methodology
Mini presentation to class
Self and teacher assessment mid IRP using likert
scale
Meeting deadlines
Rubric for process
Rubric for project
Presentation to peers, teachers and mentor
Professional binding of student works
Student work becoming part of the school resource
collection
Student Self Evaluation on Project
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I think my final project came together really
well and showed that I had worked hard to
find the right information to put in the project.
I think it showed that not only did I enjoy
studying this topic but I found the facts
interesting and I think perhaps that my project
showed others that I was serious about
becoming a Music Therapist.
Student Self Evaluation on Process
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Throughout my research process I kept
changing the specifics of my project. I was
always finding new and interesting
information that led me down different paths
and opened my eyes to new areas to study. It
helped to set myself some questions early on
as they gave me direction and motivation,
instead of just blindly looking for information
as I usually do.
Sustained Impact on Learning
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Student survey early in Year 11
Pre-IRP group and Post-IRP group
Higher %age in H-M range of confidence
across the following areas:
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Developing a research plan
Constructing a search strategy
Searching catalogues
Using indexes and full-text databases
Formulating effective Internet search strategies, evaluation
Evaluating relevance
Note-taking
Bibliographies
Analysing and synthesising