Plan+Your+Research

The Research Plan
The research plan will determine
 * 1) the kinds of resources to use
 * 2) where to find the resources
 * 3) how to collect and record information (notetaking formats)
 * 4) how to document bibliographic information
 * 5) how to share

Post the plan as an advertisement "watch for it"; "coming soon".

Types of resources:

 * 1) Playground equipment catalogs
 * 2) Playground equipment web sites
 * 3) Picture books and stories about what happens on a playground
 * 4) Books about the importance of exercise and play (using the Computer Catalog)
 * 5) Web sites about the importance of exercise and play
 * 6) Blogs and wikis (e.g.[| Grade 1 and 2]'s at Major, SK)
 * 7) Twitter or [|Twiducate]to connect with other classrooms
 * 8) Surveys (using Google forms or SurveyMonkey)
 * 9) Online databases - leading to magazine and newspaper articles, chapters in reference books and encyclopedia articles
 * 10) Interviews with experts (playground designers, city planners, etc)

Useful tools
Planning tools must be in place prior to the searching, locating, and evaluating of relevant information. Already in their repetoire, students efficiently select a tool based on the appropriateness of the specific task to conduct their inquiry. Organizing an approach to the inquiry is crucial and relates closely to the deciding directions.

A blog is a useful place for students to document their research process and to capture their thoughts and ideas. It is also very useful for starting conversations with others about a topic or an idea.
 * Blogs**
 * [|Kidblog]
 * [|WordPress]
 * [|Blogger]

Wikis enable collective documenting and collection of information. Social bookmarking tools allow students and teachers to share bookmarks by using a unique tag. Students should have access to and be taught how to use an online citation generator where they can correctly document the sources they have used.
 * Wikis**
 * [|Wikispaces]
 * [|PB Works]
 * Social BookMarking**
 * [|diigo]
 * Citation Generator**
 * [|bibme]

Sharing Tools
During the planning phase the class should decide how they want to share what they have learned. Sometimes this may need to be done even sooner if there are special skills or tools that students need to share in the way they want to. E.g. Google Sketch-UP is a useful tool for designing spaces but it would require some advance learning and practice to use if effectively.

Day 4: Finding and Using Information