[LM_NET] TAR: How do you broaden too-narrow research topics?

[Kristin Fontichiaro <font@UMICH.EDU>]

Hi - I'm seeking your input on how you broaden topics when the  
teacher's suggestion is too narrow (and could be answered in moments  
with a quick encyclopedia search).  Please share your ideas at  
http://ow.ly/HHeJ




~~SCENARIO
















~~A teacher you have not worked with before excitedly comes to you.   
"I'm finally ready to do research with my class!" she says.  "My kids  
have been reading about mythical creatures. I know they'd love  
learning more about the Loch Ness Monster! I went to Scotland over  
Spring Break and showed them photos from the Loch, and they just loved  
hearing about it.  When can we meet to plan this?"

You know that this topic, as it stands, can be answered in moments  
using Wikipedia or the first hit in a Google Search.  It's simply too  
narrow, and the students are likely to report out the same information  
over and over again.  You're afraid that the students will not be  
engaged or motivated.  If the kids look bored, this project could  
fizzle and backfire, with the teacher actually less interested in  
working with you again.

You really want to build a relationship with this teacher.  You know  
that you will need to broaden the topic.  You'd love to find a way to  
take the learning deeper and meet the AASL Standards for the  
21st-Century Learner.

What will you suggest when you sit down with the teacher to plan?




END SCENARIO












Please submit your ideas to http://ow.ly/HHeJ

~Thanks!

Kristin Fontichiaro

-- 
Kristin Fontichiaro
P.O. Box 2281, Birmingham, MI 48012 USA ~ font@umich.edu
Media Specialist, Birmingham (MI) Public Schools
Adjunct Lecturer, University of Michigan School of Information

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