Big Questions

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Students plan a research or capstone project in a timed, interactive experience through which they generate and gather feedback on three potential research directions.

 

If you want students to...:

  • Develop capstone or research topic

Group Size:

3 to 30

Duration:

45 minutes

Instructions:

On 1-2 large pieces of chart paper, write three “big questions” that remain for you as you near the end of your major or concentration. Beneath each question, make notes about how you might methodologically pursue these questions, what you would expect to find, and how you might present the results. Post your paper on the wall. Then, take some post-its and a pen. Over the next twenty minutes, walk around the room, reading the questions that your peers have written. Use the post-its to note ideas that resonate with you, to ask questions or offer suggestions. They will do the same for you. Read your peers’ comments. Based on this quick exercise, do you have one or two (still unformed) ideas for capstone or research projects?

Supplies:

Facilitator Materials:

    Student Work Examples: