Assignment Instructions

The Final Research Project is a paper, video presentation or audio presentation. You will need to submit a reference list whichever option you choose. Your paper or presentation will have four parts. Read both options carefully and read the grade rubric before beginning this assignment.

Option 1: Paper Essay

Section 1: Describe the issue you researched, including a discussion of three or more differing points of view on the issue. Your discussion must reference reputable sources to support each of these perspectives. In other words, don't simply say "some people think x." Instead, quote and paraphrase from sources that illustrate that fact. The best strategy is to write one paragraph per point of view. End this section with a paragraph that discusses the relationship between the topic you've been researching all session and your growing understanding of the concept of global citizenship. Support your claims about global citizenship with evidence from our text.

Section 2: Focuses on your current position on the issue. Support your position on the issue with evidence. Refer to at least three reputable sources and cite them appropriately in a bibliography using the Turabian style. Tip: start this section with the thesis you designed for Week 6. Then use the rest of the section to support that thesis with the sources and evidence you found using the three required sources. Section 3: Reflect upon the research process you've gone through in this class, addressing questions such as:
What obstacles did you encounter during the research process? How did you address them?

Which specific sources (e.g., describe a particular scholarly journal article) and access tools (e.g., talk about a specific database) did you find the most/least helpful and why?

What questions/issues/problems do you still have regarding conducting academic research?

What relationship do you see between information literacy, lifelong learning, and global citizenship (make sure to clearly define your terms!)?

These kinds of questions are designed to help you become more cognizant of what you learned over the course of the class and what you still need to improve upon. Awareness of your information literacy strengths and weaknesses can further enhance learning, enabling you to be more intentional and systematic in your efforts to become more effective and efficient researchers.

Option 2: Video or Audio Presentation

You can also have the option of making a 7-10 minute presentation. This will consist of the same parts as those listed for the paper, but you will read them in a video or audio presentation instead. You might write differently for a spoken presentation than for an essay and you can be more creative with how you present the information. To the left of the classroom, find the section called "Media Gallery." This area of the classroom lets you record a video of your presentation using Kultura. You can use a powerpoint presentation and narrate the slides as another option. No matter which method you choose, write up a transcript of your presentation and submit this along with it.

You can also explore these other means of making your presentation. Review them all before you pick because you might find some easier than others:

Prezi is a site that lets you make interactive presentations. If you use this option, use the function that allows you to record your voice (narrate the presentation).

Voki is a way to make a speaking avatar. This option is useful if you don't have a camera in your tablet/laptop/computer and need an animated avatar instead.

If you have another idea, please run it by me before committing. Remember to upload a transcript of your presentation when you post the assignment.