Sunday 23 August 2015

Research as Inquiry



License: Public Domain
Source: Wikimedia Commons


This the asking of simple to complex questions. New questions will come up as the user engage with the content in the field. The answers that comes from the questions will develop new questions.



Task
Choose a research topic for your students from the list provided
Racism between first year students

Learning outcomes
Formulate questions for research based on information gaps.
Use a variety of research methods.
Determine an appropriate scope of investigation
Limiting the scope of investigation

Activities
The phrase given to them must be developed into a proper research question.
E.g. The impact of racism between first year students using the Self Learning Zone at the library of the University of the Western Cape during the first three month of orientation.
Students are ask to compile questionnaires and interview first year student.
Students have to be involve in a problem solving learning activity.

Knowledge Practice
Students formulate a question
Students are asked to formulate a research question. They have to write the research question on a blog post and the other students must comment on the research question. Student to student review of the question. Each student have to review at least two questions on the blog.

Use a variety of research methods.
Each student have to compile a questionnaire, and hand it to the other students to complete.(quantitative research method)
Students must at least interview three students in the self learning zone. They have to draft the interview question.(qualitative research)

Problem solving learning activity
Students have to find information from different sources to answer the question. Students must use books (print), databases, blogs



Tuesday 11 August 2015

Scholarship as conversation


Discuss the information seeking behavior of the postgraduate international student at the University of the Western Cape Library


1 Draft three learning outcomes
1.1. Contribute to scholarly conversation at an appropriate level, such as online communication.
1.2. Critically evaluate contributions by others.
1.3. Identify the contribution particular articles

2. Design three activities
2.1. Student must create a power point, present the findings and make a podcast.
2.2. Students must create a blog
2.3 Students must comment to two blogs of other students.

3. Knowledge practice
Power point and podcast: Create the power point, present the findings and create a podcast and published the podcast online.
Create a blob: Contribute to scholarly conversation at an appropriate level such as online communities.
Evaluate contribution by others.