Writing A Research Paper

1
Writing A Research Paper

• Usha Arya
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
• 1290 Ivey Ranch Road
• Oceanside, CA 92057

2
Introduction

• Writing research papers are essential learning
  experiences in every student life. You are taking
  first steps towards learning to do research and
  writing a successful and meaningful paper.
• Web Page http//ctap295.ctaponline.org/uarya/inde
  x.html

3
Expectations

• This Internet based lesson will take
  approximately two weeks to complete. It is
  expected that by the end of the unit all students
  will
• Use technology as a stimulus for learning
• Improve web searching skills
• Write a meaningful research paper

4
Actual Learning

• It took longer than two weeks to complete this
  lesson plan. At the end, students
• Learned to navigate through various web sites for
  relevant information in a meaningful way.
• Knew how to take notes, write an outline and
  bibliography.
• Learned to use Excel and Power point for their
  presentation.

5
Successes

• Most of the the students appeared to be engaged
  throughout this activity and were successful in
• Using search engines in a meaningful way.
• To read and take notes on the web and write a
  paper.
• To cite sources they used.

6
Shortcomings

• Lesson was too long for two week implementation.
• Not enough or fast enough computers.
• Low interest in writing.

7
Students At Work
8
Student data 1
9
Student data 2
10
Data Analysis

• 20 multiple choice questions (pre and post test)
  were taken by 28 students.
• All students participated in six activities
  during this lesson.
• Not all students completed writing the research
  paper.
• All students showed improvement in post testing.
• Students showed an average increase of 3.8
  points.

11
Reflections

• Not enough computers for student to work on.
• Students were more excited about searching the
  web than in writing the paper.
• Difficulty in engaging low achievers. They did
  not complete the research paper.
• Lesson plan took longer to complete.

12
Revisions

• More time is taken in instructing students in
  basic computer skills.
• More time is needed to complete the research
  paper.
• Incentives to complete the project will help.

13
Conclusion

• I learned many new skills and feel more confident
  about using technology in lesson planning
• Students were motivated by web-based lesson plans
  and seem to learn more from it
• I plan to create more lesson plans integrating
  technology
• Working with this class was challenging and I
  enjoyed all of it