ICT Research Topics

Research Skills – Thinking Required

  1. Questioning: See assignments below.
    1. The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) topics below may be too broad to research for a 3 paragraph essay. Brainstorm 2 or 3 more specific questions.
    2. Review the Web Search In Plain English video. Create a list of words or phrases to begin an Internet search. Keep track of the words and phrases you use.
    3. Find the definitions of words you don’t know. Locate 1 or 2 possible sources of information.
    4. Narrow the topic to a more specific question. Your final question may not include what or how many. It should allow you to develop a deeper understanding of the topic.  Submit a question by the end of the class 1.
  2. Planning:
    1. Refine your list of keywords and phrases to use in a search. Keep track of this list in the word-processing document. document.
    2. Decide where to search. Remember the Deep Web.
  3. Gathering:
    1. Collect and record information from at least 2 reliable and valid sources of information. Use the 5 W’s to evaluate information sources.
    2. Create a bibliography entry for the resources you find. Use EasyBib to create a citation for each with an annotation. Placee these in the word-processing document. You will print and hand in the research question, list of keywords and phrases, plus a description of what search engine used, plus the bibliography with annotations by the end of class 2. The bibliography entry must be in hanging indent format. The annotation must be a bullet point under the bibliography entry.
  4. Sifting & Sorting & Analyzing:
    1. Take notes to support your topic. Organize the notes by information sources so you can correctly provide in-text citations later.
  5. Synthesizing & Evaluating:
    1. Develop an outline of the topic (see report below) The notes and outline will be printed and handed in at the end of class 3.
  6. Reporting: Communicate findings in written report. (3 paragraph minimum) Printed and handed in on class 4.

    1. Paragraph 1: Introduce the topic with a supported thesis statement.State the problem and your question. Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste.
    2. Paragraph 2: Provide specific examples to support your thesis statement. The examples to solve the problem. It must be supported by your research and from valid, reliable, appropriate information sources. Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste. One sentence may be a direct copy, but must be included within quotation marks.
    3. Paragraph 3: Your personal reflection as a Catholic student at ICS: How does this topic personally impact you? Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste.
    4. Intext citations for all information used are required.
    5. Formatting
      1. Your name, the Class Name and the date at the top left of the paper.
      2. Research question in bold, centered. Times New Roman size 18
      3. Paragraphs and bibliography in Times new Roman size 12, left justified. Do not indecnt paragraphs.
      4. Place one space after periods, commas, and questions.
      5. Spell check, Grammar check.
  7. Bibliography: Place the bibliography directly below the essay. Each bibliography entry must has a bullet point annotation explaining the validity of the information source. The bibliography entries must be in alphabetical order.
    1. Use EasyBib website to create the bibliography entries in MLA style.

Assessment will be based on the 6-Traits Writing Rubric and the Research Rubric located in the Documents tab on Sycamore. On the 6-traits rubric, you will assessed on Ideas, Organization, Voice and Conventions.

 

Topic Questions: Each students is assigned a topic to begin work but will narrow the topic to a more specific question. Students may share resources found but each student will research a different question.
  1. ‘Telecommuting’ refers to workers doing their jobs from home for part of each week and communicating with their office using computer technology. Telecommuting is growing in many countries and is expected to be common for most office workers in the coming decades. How do you think society will be affected by the growth of telecommuting? 
  2. Technology is making communication easier in today’s world, but at the expense of personal contact as many students choose to study at home in front of a computer screen. 
  3. What dangers are there for a society which depends on computer screens rather than face-to-face contact for its main means of communication? 
  4. Internet: Could you be without it? Discuss.
  5. Telephone: Coud you be without it? discuss..
  6. The internet has great influence in shaping people’s ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give reasons for your answer.
  7. Does the Internet bring people of the world closer together? 
  8. Computers can translate all kinds of languages well. Do our children need to learn more languages in the future? 
  9. Smart phones are the solution to the digital divide (digital inequality). Discuss. 
  10. Not all countries allow or value freedom of the press. How does technology change a country’s ability to monitor information?
  11. You walk past a coffee shop and get an offer of a 10% discount on your smartphone. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of location tracking (or data mining or geotracking) ,
  12. Discuss the difficulties in censoring the flow of information in a society.
  13. Tweets, 140 characters at a time, can change the way society reacts. Discuss.
  14. All lectures in schools should be distributed as podcasts. Discuss pros and cons.
  15. Webapps enable students to collaborate and communicate which could reduce the amount of time needed in class. Discuss. 

All Saints Day Research

Research Skills – Thinking Required

  1. Questioning: See assignments below.
    1. Brainstorm 2 or 3 possible questions to research about a Saint. The questions may not be “what” questions or “how many” questions that can be answered with a simple definition or number. The questions should be how, which, or why questions that will allow you tto develop a deeper understanding of the Saint.
    2. In pairs, discuss possible questions.
    3. Narrow the topic to a more specific question about the saint. (class 1)
  2. Planning:
    1. Review the Web Search In Plain English video. Create a list of words or phrases to begin an Internet search. Keep track of the words and phrases you use. Refine your list of keywords and phrases as you search. Keep track of this list in a word-processing document.
    2. Decide where to search. Remember the Deep Web.
  3. Gathering:
    1. Collect and record information from at least 2 reliable and valid sources of information. Use the 5 W’s to evaluate information sources.
    2. Create a bibliography entry for the resources you find. Use EasyBib to create a citation for each with an annotation. Place these in the wor-processing document. You will print and hand in the research question, list of keywords and phrases, plus a description of what search engine used, plus the bibliography with annotations by the end of class  2.
  4. Sifting & Sorting & Analyzing:
    1. Take notes to support your topic. Organize the notes by information sources so you can correctly provide in-text citations later.
  5. Synthesizing & Evaluating:
    1. Develop an outline of the topic (see report below) The notes and outline will be printed and handed in at the end of class 3.
  6. Reporting: Communicate findings in written report. (3 paragraph minimum) Printed and handed in at the end of class 4.

    1. Paragraph 1: Introduce the topic with a supported thesis statement. Provide background details about the saint. What was happening in the life of the saint that challenged the saint? What difference did prayer make in the life of the saint? Your thesis statement should provide a thought about how the saint inspires Catholics today. Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste.
    2. Paragraph 2: Provide specific examples to support your thesis statement. What is the impact or influence of this saint? Provide examples. What does it take to be a saint today? The examples must be supported by your research and from valid, reliable, appropriate information sources.  Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste. One sentence may be a direct copy, but must be included within quotation marks.
    3. Paragraph 3: Your personal reflection as a Catholic student at ICS: How does this saint or other saints personally influence you? Paraphrase. Do not copy and paste.
    4. Intext citations for all information used are required.
    5. Formatting
      1. Your name, the Class Name and the date at the top left of the paper.
      2. Research question in bold, centered. Times New Roman size 18
      3. Paragraphs and bibliography in Times new Roman size 12, left justified. Do not indecnt paragraphs.
      4. Place one space after periods, commas, and questions.
      5. Spell check, Grammar check.
  7. Bibliography: Place the bibliography directly below the essay. Each bibliography entry must be a hanging indent paragraph with a bullet point annotation below explaining the validity of the information source. The bibliography entries must be in alphabetical order.
    1. Use EasyBib website to create the bibliography entries in MLA style.

Assessment will be based on the 6-Traits Writing Rubric and the Research Rubric provided on the class page in Sycamore. On the 6-traits rubric, you will assessed on Ideas, Organization, Voice and Conventions.

Possible Resources

Paraphrase Practice – Health Topics

Grades 6 and 7

  1. When “an idea is expressed in a complicated way, it can help to think about how you would explain it to somebody else. Retelling something in your own words, or paraphrasing, also helps you to remember what you read.”  Paraphrasing (Time for Kids)
  2. Select one of the articles on Staying Healthy to read or listen to.
  3. Open a new OpenOffice text document. Enter your name and the name of the article you read.
  4. Write a paragraph summary of the information, paraphrasing the information in your own words.
  5. Write in complete sentences using correct punctuation and grammar. Spell all words correctly.
  6. Select and Copy the URL of your source information website. Go to EasyBib. Paste the URL of the information source website into EasyBib to create a bibliography entry. Add an annotation. Select and copy the bibliography entry and the annotation.
  7. Paste the bibliography entry with annotation into the OpenOffice document. Make sure it is a hanging indent paragraph.
  8. Add a bullet note under the bibliography entry with annotation indicating how you know this is a valid source of information.
  9. Go back to the summary you wrote. Cite the source of the information using a parenthetical citation.
  10. Save the document in My Documents. Name the document with your last name and Health (for example, Smith Health)
  11. Place the document in the Paraphrase Health assignment in the class dropbox on Sycamore.

*** View ICS Digital Help Web Search Strategies ***

Alternative Energy Company

Grade 5 Research

  1. Open a new presentation document in OpenOffice. Select “Introducing a New Product” template.
  2. You will create a presentation for a company that you might create some day. Enter the name of the product and the name of the company. Choose a color scheme to compliment the source of energy.
  3. You will complete information on the following slides
    1. Long-term Goal
    2. Customer wishes
    3. Fulfilling Customer Needs
    4. Cost Analysis
    5. Strengths and Advantages
    6. Next Step of Action
    7. Bibliography
  4. Add images where appropriate. Images may come from Google images.
  5. View the following advertisements. Do they provide information about long-term goals, customer wishes, etc.
    1. Exxon Mobile Algae Advertisement (We’ll talk about algae as a biofuel later. For now, listen to how they present their long-term goals, etc.)

Citation Practice: War in Libya

  1. Read this article on War in Libya
  2. Open a new text document in OpenOffice.
  3. Write a summary of the article in your own words. Do not use any quotations.
  4. Create a bibliography for the article using EasyBib.
  5. Paste the bibliography entry into the OpenOffice document. Make sure it is a hanging indent paragraph.
  6. Add a bullet note under the bibliography entry with annotation indicating how you know this is a valid source of information.
  7. Go back to the summary you wrote. Cite the source of the information using a parenthetical citation.
  8. Place this in the War in Libya dropbox assignment on Sycamore.

Sample Student Work (Grade 7)

War in Libya
by Hailey A.

The war in Libya is growing. It started as an uprising in February, and now the U.S., Britain, and France are involved. On March 17, the United Nations Security Council voted to authorize a no-fly zone over Libya (An). The United States is going to turn over major responsibility soon to another county.

Bibliography:

An, Vickie. “Time for Kids | News | War in Libya.” Time For Kids | Classroom. 21 Mar. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2060681,00.html>.

  • This website is a valid source because it is from Time magazine, a major news source.

*** View ICS Digital Help Web Search Strategies ***

Citation Practice: Goodbye, Space

  1. Read this article on Goodbye, Space!.
  2. Open a new text document in OpenOffice.
  3. Write a summary of the article in your own words. Do not use any quotations.
  4. Create a bibliography for the article using EasyBib.
  5. Paste the bibliography entry into the OpenOffice document. Make sure it is a hanging indent paragraph.
  6. Add a bullet note under the bibliography entry with annotation indicating how you know this is a valid source of information.
  7. Go back to the summary you wrote. Cite the source of the information using a parenthetical citation.
  8. Place this in the Goodbye Space dropbox assignment.

Sample Student Work (Grade 7)

Discovery
by Dylan S.

 

The space shuttle Discovery has just gone on its last trip into space. It went to the International Space Station to add new storage space. Now that Discovery has been retired it will be added to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. (Zimbler)

Bibliography

Zimbler, Suzanne. “Time for Kids | News | Goodbye, Space!” Time For Kids | Classroom. 09 Mar. 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2058053,00.html>.

  • I know it is a valid website because it is on Time magazine’s website, Time magazine is a well known magazine

 

Space
by Tyler S.

The space shuttle Discovery was working in space for 27 years carrying astronauts. The space shuttle was been on 39 missions going to space and back. Discovery’s final trip was to the International Space Station. Since 1998, 16 nations have been working together to build the space base 220 miles above Earth.365 days in space and has traveled a whopping 148 million miles since 1984.After 30 years NASA, plan is to begin work on new spaceships that can travel longer distances. Endeavor, another shuttle, is scheduled to make its final voyage next month. Museums across the country have requested the retired shuttles. (Zimbler)

Bibliography

 

Zimbler, Suzanne. “Time for Kids | News | Goodbye, Space!” Time For Kids | Classroom. 09 Mar. 2011. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2058053,00.html>.

  • This is a good website because it is a news company

Citation Practice: Nuclear Safety

  1. Read this article on U.S. nuclear safety in focus after Japan quake.
  2. Open a new text document in OpenOffice.
  3. Write a summary of the article in your own words. Do not use any quotations.
  4. Create a bibliography for the article using EasyBib.
  5. Paste the bibliography entry into the OpenOffice document. Make sure it is a hanging indent paragraph.
  6. Add a bullet note under the bibliography entry with annotation indicating how you know this is a valid source of information.
  7. Go back to the summary you wrote. Cite the source of the information using a parenthetical citation.
  8. Save the article and place in the class dropbox.

Sample Student Work (8th Grade)

Nuclear
by Ariel M.

Japan’s earthquake and catastrophic events have nuclear plants worried in the United States about their readiness for disaster. Many people in the United States felt that Japan was more prepared for this then they appeared to be. However, while the general public may be concerned about the safety of the United States power plants, owners and engineering excepts are certain the the U.S. is well drilled and well prepared (U.S. Nuclear Safety).

Bibliography

“U.S. Nuclear Safety in Focus after Japan Quake – The Early Show – CBS News.” Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News – CBS News. CBS Interactive Inc., 14 Mar. 2011. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/14/earlyshow/main20042815.shtml>.

  • This is valid because it is an article from an official news website.

 

Nuclear Power Plants in Japan
by Michele P.

The earthquake in Japan is a wake up call for our nuclear power plants here in the US. Many plants are located on fault lines, that may be hazardous if affected by an earthquake. Officials say that the nuclear power plants in California are well prepared for a disaster. The officials believe that we are more prepared then the Japanese were, and that the age of the power plants may be a contributer to the fall of the nuclear power plants in Japan ( U.S. Nuclear Saftey in Focus after Japan Quake – The Early Show – CBS News).

Bibliography

“U.S. Nuclear Safety in Focus after Japan Quake – The Early Show – CBS News.” Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News – CBS News. CBS, 14 Mar. 2011. Web. 14 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/14/earlyshow/main20042815.shtml>.

  • This is a verifiable site because it was made by a news station and has an official publishing sponsor.

Tech Topics

  1. credibility and web evaluation
  2. free speech and censorship in the media
    1. CNN: Lessons of Egypt’s online crackdown
    2. World Divided on Press Freedom
    3. Aljazeera: Bypassing Egypt’s web blackout
  3. data privacy
    1. CNN: Data Scraping Site
  4. intellectual property rights
  5. copyright and plagiarism
  6. data mining
    1. Economics: Untangling the Social Web
  7. e-government
  8. open source software
  9. media ownership
  10. democracy and a courageous press
    1. CNN: Why reporters are being attacked (in Egypt)
  11. democracy and a free press
    1. CNN: News coverage curbed as journalists are targeted in Cairo
  12. equity and technology or digital divide –
    1. Effective Practices for Engendering the Digital Divide, Egypt (a few years old but valid comments)
  13. Web 2.0
    1. Blog: Egypt’s Web 2.0 Uprising Today
  14. social networking services
    1. CNN: Reports say Egypt Web shuddown (I have received a Facebook message from a friend in Egypt since this article was published.)
  15. weblogs
  16. podcasts
  17. twittering
    1. CNN: Twitter in Egypt
    2. Social media’s role in North Africa

Efficient Internet Searches

Tip #1: Search in more than one search engine.

What you use to search depends on your topic.

The list on NoodleTools provides an excellent summary of places to look depending on your research topic:

Kid-Safe Search Engines

Frequently Used Search Engines

  • Google
  • Yahoo!
  • Bing
  • Ask
  • Alta Vista
  • Technorati is a search engine that searches blogs. Example of use: Technorati is a better place to find information about “Alan November” than Google because if you search for him in Google, the top 8 links are owned by Alan November, so most of the information was written by Alan November. In the blogs you can read what people are saying about Alan November, not what Alan November is saying about himself.

Tip #2: Use advanced search techniques. Use essential keywords and Boolean (Not/Or/And) strategies.

By using a variety of commands in Google Advanced Search, you can narrow searches for more appropriate information. Try these Google Search helps:

  • Phrase search “” – By putting double quotes around a set of words, you are telling Google to consider the exact words in that exact order without any change. For instance, “evaluate information sources” results in different web pages than evaluate information sources.
  • Search within a specific site – Google allows you to specify that your search results must come from a given website. For example, the query [ iraq site:nytimes.com ] will return pages about Iraq but only from nytimes.com.
  • Terms to exclude (-) – Attaching a minus sign (the NOT operator) immediately before a word indicates that you do not want pages that contain this word to appear in your results. For instance, a search for Jordan results in very different results than a search for Jordan -basketball.
  • Fill in the blanks (*) – The query [ Obama voted * on the * bill ] will give you stories about different votes on different bills. Note that the * operator works only on whole words, not parts of words.
  • Search exactly as is (+) – By attaching a + immediately before a word (remember, don’t add a space after the +), you are telling Google to match that word precisely as you typed it. Putting double quotes around a single word will do the same thing.
  • The OR operator – Google’s default behavior is to consider all the words in a search. If you want to specifically allow either one of several words, you can use the OR operator (note that you have to type ‘OR’ in ALL CAPS). For example, [ San Francisco Giants 2004 OR 2005 ] will give you results about either one of these years, whereas [ San Francisco Giants 2004 2005 ] (without the OR) will show pages that include both years on the same page. The symbol | can be substituted for OR. (The AND operator, by the way, is the default, so it is not needed.)

Tip #3: The hits at the top of a search list in a search engine such as Google or Bing are not always the best sources of information.

Google ranks websites on the number of links to a site and on the number of times a site is visited. Frequency does not equal quality or validity.

Also remember that those at the top of a Google or Bing search hit list and those on the right side are advertisements for web sites. The owners of those sites have paid to be at the top or right side of the search engine hit list. In Google these are labeled Ads. In Bing they are labeled Sponsored sites.

Tip #4: Read the information in the hits before clicking on a link to the web site.

Does the language and depth of information seem appropriate for your research purpose?

*** For additional information see Evaluate Information Sources ***