In-depth study project 1MDA

IN-DEPTH STUDY PROJECT

1 MDA/B

INDEX

Competence aims

Introduction

Assessment criteria

Process

Plan

Getting started

Structure

Sources

Plan

Evaluation

Digital presentation

Suggested topics

10

11

12

INTRODUCTION

This English course offers you a chance to focus in depth on a topic you find interesting. The only limitation is that your choice of topic should be connected to either this particular subject, English, or a topic within your field of study. Your in-depth study should comprise the following stages...

Planning – choose a topic – make a project plan – collect material – choose presentation form Executing – do your work in your chosen form – present your final project Evaluating – reflect and comment on your work from idea to final product

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT INCLUDE?

1. You are going to study a topic in depth.
2. You are going to improve your English skills within your education programme.
3. You are going to work on a cross-curricular project.
4. You are going to use different sources.
5. You are going to structure your task based on your research notes.
6. You are going to present your project orally.
7. You are going to have a subject conversation after you present to evaluate the project.
8. You are going to use digital tools to create a presentation.

COMPETANCE AIMS

• select an in-depth study topic within one’s education programme and present this
• use appropriate digital resources and other aids in language learning, text creation and interaction
• use pronunciation patterns in communication
• use knowledge of grammar and text structure in working on one's own oral texts
• express himself or herself in a nuanced and precise manner with fluency and coherence, using idiomatic expressions and varied sentence structures adapted to the purpose, receiver and situation
• use different sources in a critical, appropriate and accountable manner

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

PROJECT PLAN

WEEK 19-21

5th - 25th May

WEEK 18-19

28th April- 4th May

AFTER EASTER

April

WEEK 22-23

26th May - 8th June

March-April

BEFORE EASTER

• Gathering sources, interviews

• Upgrade your plan

• Structure the materials into 3 parts: introduction, main body and conclusion (have at least 3 main points in the middle part)

• Prepare a digital presentation – you can use Power Point, Prezi, Sway, or just create a document with pictures and prompts

• Learn the content, prepare a manuscript to help you

• Present your project to the teacher, or record your presentation with a “talking head” present in the video.

• Presentation should be of 10min long, and is followed by a short subject discussion with the teacher.

• Make-up possibility

• Absolute last chance for presenting, because of the deadline for final grading.

• Decide on your topic and topic question: consult your teacher before you go on, to see if you are on right track.

• Create a plan for your work: when to do what, what sources you will use

CHOOSING THE TOPIC AND TOPIC QUESTION

To get some ideas you can start by looking through what you have to learn in other subjects. Ask yourself what you would like to know more about. Is there anything that looks fun and interesting and at the same time may be useful with regard to both knowledge and language in your field of study? Did you note down anything you were interested in that you could work on as a project?

GETTING STARTED

Before you start you need to have an idea. Ask yourself these questions: • What are you interested in? • What would you like to know more about? • Note down ideas from the course: a topic of interest, a question that fascinates you, something/someone you want to find out more about, etc.

Feel free to choose a topic from your subjects of interest (music/dance classes). Ask the teacher if you are having problems choosing your topic (not later than 10th May).

Narrow your topic with a discussion/thesis question: choose one field within your topic that will not only be answered by facts, but also requires discussion and reflection, is not too broad, not too narrow.

Contact the teacher at this point to consult your choice of the topic and thesis. IT IS REQUIRED THAT YOU DO NOT PROCEED WITHOUT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO DO SO - OTHERWISE YOU MAY BE LEFT WITH A PROJECT THAT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA.

PLAN YOUR PROJECT

Make a plan for your work. Use the question words to help you: • What do you want to do and/or find out? • When should you do the work? Make a schedule – use a timetable. • How should you present your work? Make a video? Make a presentation with visual aids? Decide what your product should be. • Where can you find information? List your sources as you do your research.

IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO INTERVIEW AN EXPERT WITHIN THE FIELD

• Guidelines for interviews
• Read up on your topic before you make your first contact with the person you want to interview (the interviewee).
• Introduce yourself and explain why you would like to make an interview. Remember to be polite! If your request is turned down, ask if there is somebody else you may contact.
• Prepare questions and write them down. You may email the questions in advance if the interviewee finds this helpful.
• Be prepared to make follow-up questions on the spot: “Could you explain this?”, “Could you give me an example?”
• How are you going to record the answers to your questions? If you want to record the interview, you have to ask the interviewee’s permission. If you have to take notes, you may want to take a classmate to take notes while you conduct the interview.
• Write or record a short summary immediately after the interview. Check names and other facts. If necessary, contact the interviewee to make sure facts are correct.
• If you want to make a survey, you can either prepare a questionnaire, or make several short interviews. Test your questionnaire before you use it, for example on some fellow students.

SOURCES

Find the information you need. Write down your sources as you work. Use more than one source to check your information. Check that your sources are reliable. If your source is an online source, take note of the day you found the information. You will need it for your reference list. • Take notes, and write down keywords, quotes you want to use, etc. • Remember to write down sources for film clips, photos, paintings, maps, illustrations and other text types you will use.

STRUCTURE YOUR PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

MAIN BODY

CONCLUSION

Make a clear introduction in which you present your thesis question.

Make clear body paragraphs that start with a topic sentence, explain your point, refer to sources and examples.

Make a clear conclusion where you restate your thesis and sum up the answers you came up with.

DIGITAL PRESENTATION (TIPS ON HOW TO PRESENT: E1, P.306-307)

Power Point How to include "talking head" in your presentation

Oral presentation planning sheet

Prezi How to create Prezi presentation from Power Point

EVALUATION in the discussion

Why and how did you choose the topic?

How did you work on it?

What did you learn from the research?

How do you feel about the final result?

SUGGESTED TOPICS within your study programme

• music history
• dance history
• music elements
• dance techniques
• piece analysis in a context
• genre/style
• composers/choreographs
• dance choreography
• theatre
• film music
• musical research

REMEMBER! Those are only examples, you can choose some other issues of interest.

SUGGESTED TOPICS within English subject

• Globalisation and the English language
• English and youth culture
• English and new technology
• Social media use and teenagers’ well-being
• Technology and change in developing countries
• Studying or working abroad
• Preparing for higher education
• Working conditions in an English-speaking country
• Climate change
• Effects of migration
• Cultural expressions (film, literature, music, art, photography, fashion) in an English-speaking country
• Minority voices

THANKS!

Good luck!