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I give a research project in every one of classes. They can use any technology tool available to them but must list their resources. That way if the baby boomers are afraid of new technology, they can use books and library.

Kathleen,
this is a good practice as it helps them learn to research in a variety of ways.

Ryan Meers, Ph.D.

Kathleen,
this is a good practice as it helps them learn to research in a variety of ways.

Ryan Meers, Ph.D.

Definitely i agree. Letting the students determine their own resources as long as it is legitimate is a great way for them to be able to learn. This gives them ownership and as long as they are giving it their best and are turning in quality work, i would have no objections.

Everett,
yes as long as those resources meet some good criteria that we have established.

Ryan Meers, Ph.D.

I think this a great opportunity to bridge the gap and meet in the middle. The instructor may use the traditional research tools and compare with the technology research tools. Gen Y students need to understand that not all information found via technology is credible. For example Wikipedia. An instructor who has a limited "comfort factor" with technology will be able to speak to the credibility of a resource. The "tech-phobe" instructor could also ask students in the class for assistance with navigating through websites to evaluate credibility.

Vickie,
yes this is a great point & we can find ways to show the students how to do great research & work while also embracing technology.

Ryan Meers, Ph.D.

I have always incorporated a research project into my classes, which is due at the end of the term. However, I strongly discourage the use of any "wiki" sites and I almost always have them handwritten to turn in to me.

C,
I think this I a good idea as many of them will need to do research & reports in their jobs.

Ryan Meers, Ph.D.

I find that baby-boomer students, even though they're using the internet for research, tend to cite sources more often and more accurately than Xers or Yers. The Y generation tend to think that anything on the internet is available to steal without hesitation. I really crack down on them for just copying and pasting from websites. Also, Yers tend to consider much of what they find to be fact. There is much less questioning of information provided on websites. It is a product of their laziness.

I find that students love to learn about Google operators in the context of a research project. Knowing that you can use a command like site:nytimes.com to limit a Google search to the New York Times website, for example, is always a big hit with my classes (any website could substitute for nytimes.com).

I always try to give research projects to my students. They are required to cite any resource used for the project. They are also required to make a ppt presentation.

Research projects should have 3 references documented in APA format. This is the first step in higher educational requirements.

Donald,
yes, this is the basic level.

Ryan Meers, Ph.D.

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