I am struggling to try to figure out something that I can do my research on. Actually, I have an idea of what I'd like to do: I would like to do some research on the use of EndNote and other bibliographic management utilities at WSU, because I swear I am the only person in virtually any of my classes who even knows what EndNote is, much less that we all get to download it free for being students at that wonderful university. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how I can turn this into anything "research"-y, especially seeing as how there is only one research article that I was able to find on the subject, and I'd have to ILL it to read it.
Also, I received the following e-mail from Jolie this afternoon:
can you find any information on mandatory student/teacher
ratios? like what the limit is? state or national
laws will work. looking for ratio of student/teacher.
ummmm . . . what are requirements for the classroom or
in an elementary classroom - concerns focusing on
kindergarten and first grade.
I am at a loss. Mostly because I'm so pre-occupied trying to figure out a research topic. Anybody have any ideas where to look?
3 comments:
Bill~
Jolie should check her state dept of education website. it will have student/teacher ratio's. Also, for any Federal type regulations, she can check the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) website. NCLB is a bunch of serious crap, but it may have what she is looking for.
Hey Bill. Two more cents:
-How about if you broaden the scope to all bibliographic management utilities, and then make EndNote a part of the research?
-One question is: why don't students know about bibliographic management utilities? you could research the use /non-use of bibliographic management utilities among students, and you could do a survey (using something like surveymonkey) to gather statistical data.
-or on another topic all together. you could look at library blogs, and how they support learning in a community of practice. if you're interested in this angle, let me know--I have articles and resources on this topic and i'd be happy to share them w/you.
i feel your pain! i just finished my M.A. last year. i remember the figuring out what to research phase. oy! at least you know about OneNote to do your bibliography...I wish I had known about such things...at least i know about it before i start my PhD next year!
Good luck! If all else fails, whip out that Felicity DVD and just procrastinate. ;-)
DB
Thanks, man. I eventually hedged my bets and went with something about the usefulness of online tutorials for biblio instruction. Here's hoping I dazzle the prof with my overwhelming suckiness.
And I'll have to work on Jolie's question tomorrow. I see her for Lost/Gilmore Girls, anywho.
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