Reaction to Isearches
I-search, who ever came up with this idea? Is it because we in America are so self-centered, even a research paper has to revolve around us? Or perhaps teachers are getting so bored reading scholarly research papers that they are attempting to find a way to stay awake while reading them. Or maybe it’s because most schools of higher learning are so big with so many students that this is one way that the educator can get to know his or her students. Or possibly it’s just a way to get students to actually write about something that interests them in hopes that they will see writing as something more than just an assignment in a required class and will begin to see it as a way of investigating a problem and coming up with a solution in an orderly, logical manner. Whatever the reason or rationale, it is an assignment, and for better or for worse, we all have to do it. Whether or not we enjoy doing it isn’t going to change that fact. So… we might as well make the best of it and look for a subject that is of interest to us, and see it as an opportunity to do some research we might not otherwise take the time to do. That’s the way I’ve decided to look at it, and that’s what I personally plan to do.
"Or possibly it’s just a way to get students to actually write about something that interests them in hopes that they will see writing as something more than just an assignment in a required class and will begin to see it as a way of investigating a problem and coming up with a solution in an orderly, logical manner."
ReplyDeleteMore like this than any of the other possible choices. I want students to work to their strengths, not their weaknesses. If the topic winds up lame, they can look in the mirror instead of pointing at one more clueless teacher.