We're 60% done with the class!!!

Discuss Readings

Some questions/issues to consider while discussing the readings:

• What is educational research?

• What type of research do you find most compelling? Why?

• What is understanding? What is misunderstanding?

• What is the relationship between developing understanding and developing educational research?

• What methodology (ies) would you use to answer the following questions?

  • What do students (multi-age) know about photosynthesis?

  • Do high school students have a good understanding about U.S. geography?

  • Do junior high school students retain basic algebra principles?

  • Is looping students a good idea at the early elementary school level? Why?

  • Should kindergarten students have more structured (similar elementary grade levels) curricula?

Morning Activity

We have a short, fun activity, meant to get you started on your own research projects. Your goal, is to investigate adults' understanding of the relationship between cholesterol and human health. Devise some questions to ask some adults. Conduct at least two short interviews before 1pm (find some poor adult to talk to). Present your findings starting at 1pm.

As usual, you can present your results on the web anyway you want (webpage, powerpoint, etc.). The presentation of results doesn't have to be posted to the web by 1pm, but your group should be able to talk about your findings by 1pm.

Lunch

Eat, do some interviews, have some fun.

Afternoon Presentations

So, what do people understand about cholesterol.

Afternoon Tech

Aman shows us the wonders of the library.

Readings

Feynman, R. P. (1989). The making of a scientist. In What Do You Care What Other People Think (pp. 11-19). New York: Bantam Books.

Clark, C. (1995). Research in the Service of Teaching. In Thoughtful Teaching (pp. 48-60). New York: Teacher’s College Press.

Homework

Start thinking about what understanding you will be measuring for your research project. Start brainstorming some questions you can ask.