L13:Formative Assessment and Feedback-The Proposal Form

Lesson 13: Learning Goal Engage in a methodological analysis of other students’ proposals to ensure your own research approach will be sufficient to address the issue you have identified.

Lesson 13: Focus What potential pitfalls could you see yourself falling into as you begin the proposal process? Ask students to keep those pitfalls in mind as we progress through this lesson. Image obtained via Google Images for Mario fall.

L13: Teach

Introducing the AP Research Proposal Form Review the completed Inquiry Proposal Form (p. 200) and consider the teacher suggestions to help a student improve his responses to the Image of Islam Proposal. Note how the teacher poses guiding questions, leaving the decision of how to act on the feedback to the student. Are there additional suggestions you would add for this student during peer-review? Be sure to add them in your workbook. Show p. 57 of Course and Exam Description. What if your feedback is too vague (like “oh this is good”, “write more”, or smiley face? Feedback needs to be clear and guiding to help students make good decisions about their proposal. Students should engage in effective peer-review opportunities to strengthen their own critical eye with respect their proposal forms.

L13: Practice

Approving Student Inquiry Proposals In this activity, you will have 3 minutes to read your assigned proposal: Mathematical Incompetence, The Politically Correct Movement, or Sustainable Operations At the end of the three minutes, without discussing your reasons with your table group, you will indicate whether you would: accept each proposal as is (two thumbs up), reject the proposal outright (two thumbs down), or conditionally accept the proposal (one thumb up, one thumb down). What comments or guiding questions would you ask or provide (during peer-review) to help each student improve their proposal? The sustainable operations inquiry proposal was deemed “high” at first submission. The mathematics proposal was deemed of medium skill-level, and the politically correct movement proposal was seen as low. Have the students comment as to why this might be so.

Effective Peer-Review Feedback In most cases, student proposals can be reworked into suitable issues for research. Remember to ask guiding questions and provide feedback to assist your peers. Suggested Questions Example Feedback Is this question too broad/narrow? This question seems to tackle a lot of issues. How could you reduce your focus to one or two important areas? Can the student complete the proposed research in 6 months? I admire your ambition here, but remember you only have six months to complete this work. Consider reducing your focus to one or two important areas. Is there sufficient data/resources available on this topic? Have you completed some high level research to determine if there are sufficient resources available for this research? Are there other research methods the student may consider? I see you have decided on a qualitative approach. Perhaps consider a mixed methods approach since you will be managing large amounts of data throughout your research. What are some ways the student can gain access to resources, materials, etc. for this research? Ms. Smith in the media center has done some work in this area. You may consider asking her for some direction on how to acquire specific resources. Are there other challenges the student may not have considered? Remember , we have limited computer lab time. Can you arrange additional access to the needed technology and resources?

L13: Reflect

Reflection-Include your response in your workbook. What types of errors do you think would make your teacher completely reject your proposal form? How could you safeguard yourself against making such errors?  In what way could you use peer review before the submission of the proposal form?