Last class day of the semester
Today was the last class day of the semester.
I had scheduled group project presentations for today for both my classes.
The groups in my creativity class rocked! 75% managed to tie in the creativity topic of discussion with concepts we had been learning in class during the semester. Last semester, only 25% of them managed this. A couple of them actually got creative with it!
Sadly, the presentations in my research methods class were a HUGE disappointment. I had tried a new group project assignment this year.
Instead of running their own experiment and presenting the results, I had them choose a journal article (I had 10-12 listed to choose from) and present the research as if it were their own.
I figured it was more important for them to gain practical experience in evaluating an empirical article and sharing that information with an audience than gaining practical experience designing and conducting an experience (which most of them will never have to do).
I spent a whole class teaching them how to give an academic talk.
They have been using a workbook all semester that teaches them how to evaluate research in academic journals.
I helped any student who asked for help with the project (only 3 people asked and those within 2 days of the presentation).
And even with 4-6 students working on the presentations together, it was totally, painfully obvious that most of the groups didn't understand the articles they had read. Most just copied the information in the journal article verbatim and read it out loud in the presentation.
It was HORRIBLE and a complete waste of time for all involved. They didn't really learn anything reading their article and making a presentation about it and those in the audience didn't learn about the research they were reporting since they did such a bad job reporting it.
*Huge sigh*
At least it was the last day of class
I had scheduled group project presentations for today for both my classes.
The groups in my creativity class rocked! 75% managed to tie in the creativity topic of discussion with concepts we had been learning in class during the semester. Last semester, only 25% of them managed this. A couple of them actually got creative with it!
Sadly, the presentations in my research methods class were a HUGE disappointment. I had tried a new group project assignment this year.
Instead of running their own experiment and presenting the results, I had them choose a journal article (I had 10-12 listed to choose from) and present the research as if it were their own.
I figured it was more important for them to gain practical experience in evaluating an empirical article and sharing that information with an audience than gaining practical experience designing and conducting an experience (which most of them will never have to do).
I spent a whole class teaching them how to give an academic talk.
They have been using a workbook all semester that teaches them how to evaluate research in academic journals.
I helped any student who asked for help with the project (only 3 people asked and those within 2 days of the presentation).
And even with 4-6 students working on the presentations together, it was totally, painfully obvious that most of the groups didn't understand the articles they had read. Most just copied the information in the journal article verbatim and read it out loud in the presentation.
It was HORRIBLE and a complete waste of time for all involved. They didn't really learn anything reading their article and making a presentation about it and those in the audience didn't learn about the research they were reporting since they did such a bad job reporting it.
*Huge sigh*
At least it was the last day of class