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Independent Project Guidelines

Page history last edited by Mary Lucia 12 years ago

 

Independent Project    (download a copy of guidelines)

The purpose of the Independent Project is for you to explore a topic of personal interest that will create new learning and understanding of community, culture and place, the themes of your semester long study in Oaxaca. During the first 6 weeks of the program, you will identify an area of focus, develop a plan that will guide you, and document/create a representation of your learning,  and share your study with others.  This is an opportunity to be creative, focus on your particular interests, and to demonstrate and share your learning in a way that is meaningful to you.

You will receive consultation, feedback, and resources along the way from Mary Lucia, Aerin, Andrea, and Oliver.  You will have the opportunity to schedule regular meetings.  

Guidelines to help you plan your study:

  1. Choosing your topic 
    1. How did you arrive at your topic?  This could include (but not limited to) your interests, passions, previous experience, and/or current experience in Oaxaca.  Free write your ideas. 
  2. Defining and narrowing your topic
    1. Describe your topic in more detail.  What is it you want to know or be able to do? Try to write one question or statement that could guide your study.
    2. Collect background information about your topic – utilize books from the program, the internet, talk to people (your home stay family, ), make observations, etc. At least 3 substantial* citations/references in your work, beyond interviews. *cite your references - book,article, etc..;   author;  date etc... ;  substantial means beyond wikipedia;  go to Oaxaca Lending Library;  use UVM on-line resources;  WELTE library - ask if you need help with this.  I am not saying you can't use wikipedia - it can be a good start to point you in a direction - just go beyond.
    3. How does your topic relate to the program theme(s) of culture, community, or change in Oaxaca?
    4. Peer Review – have another person read your description of your topic and give you written feedback.
    5. Revisit your statement/question – do you need/want to make modifications?
  3. Plan of Action
    1. What resources do you need to meet your goals?
    2. How will you research/explore you topic? [observe and take notes;  talk to people. Visit museums, churches, read local newspapers, etc]
    3. Create a timeline.  Ask yourself:
      1. Is this reasonable given time constraints?
      2. Is it doable? Are the resources you need readily available?
      3. Will my research/exploration activities help me learn about my topic?
      4. Language challenges?
      5. Are you excited about the topic?
      6. Modify/adjust your plan if necessary
      7. How will you demonstrate your learning? Describe your final documentation/representation of learning [photo essay, poetry, weaving, painting, webpage, research paper, music composition, dance, illustrated children’s book, video, podcast, demonstration, etc… ]
  4. Carry out your plan; seek feedback, consultation, etc…
  5. Reflection
    1. What were the highlights and challenges of your self-directed learning project?
    2. Go back to your original statement/question about your topic and write about what you discovered. In what ways did your independent project challenge, expand, change, and/or confirm your ideas? Revisit the overarching questions for the program and respond to at least one of the questions.
    3. Please expand on this reflection in any way that is meaningful to you.
  6. Assessment
    1. Document your journey on the WIKI that will include:
      1. Description of Topic, Statement/Question about Topic
      2. 3 page summary of background information with a minimum of 3 citations and how your topic relates to community, culture, and/or change
      3. Action Plan:
        1. How you explored you topic
        2. Resources utilized
        3. Timeline
        4. Evidence of your learning
      4. Reflection
    2. Demonstration/Representation of Learning
    3. Presentation/ sharing with group
  7. Self-Assessment:  feedback will be provided throughout the study. Your final grade for you autonomous study will be based on your self-assessment and feedback from faculty.

 

Step 2

Moving on to Step 2- Due Mon 2/13

 

Post your problem statement and question using the format that Andrea gave to you: 

 

I am learning [about, or studying, or working on).... because I want to find out (who,what/where/when/whether/how/why)... in order to understand (how,why, what, whether). 

 

Answer "What question do you need to answer to solve the above problem?"

Remember - once you start collecting some background information on your topic, your focus may change - that's ok!  That's how it works...

Due Friday, 2/17, midnight! :   Background information that will include conversations you have had, informal reading, info from your classes, internet searches as well as 3 substantial citations.  Reference the citations in your writing and write list of your sources.  This can be informal - not requiring a specific style of citations - just provide enough info if anyone wanted to look it up.  What have learned about your topic from the sources you have identified?

 

 

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