Search and Write: Suggestions for a Good Writing Project Using the Internet Hideto D. Harashima Maebashi Institute of Technology

Introduction n Dull writing practice n Importance of adopting research projects for writing development n The WWW -- rich information resource for EFL students n Most EFL students are unfamiliar with information search in a foreign language n How should we guide them?

Seven Suggestions for a Good Search and Write Project n 1. Teacher control n 2. Student autonomy n 3. Variety of information sources n 4. Subjective over Objective information search n 5. Appropriate instruction on search techniques n 6. Appropriate selection of research topics and methods n 7. Project memo

1. Teacher control n Novice students to the Internet n Disoriented and easy to go astray n Class gets disorderly n Sheltered research projects with substantial teacher control is desirable n a portal site as a base n CIA World Fact Book CIA World Fact Book n project (1) project (1)

2. Student autonomy n The essence of research -- autonomous pursuit of truth --must be fostered. n Students need to be exposed to a variety of information sources. n They need to learn the information search skills.

3. Variety of information sources n Problems with one or limited sources: u critical thinking habits u Media Literacy u passive attitude among students u plagiarism n Freedom to visit a variety of sources n Autonomy and responsibility

n Project (2) Project (2) n Project (3-0) Project (3-0)

4. Subjective over Objective information search n Objective information search u straightforward and easy u Problems F doesn’t stimulate students’ motivation for intellectual investigation F doesn’t develop their search skills F doesn’t foster their critical thinking habits F susceptible to plagiarism

n Subjective information search u elevate students’ overall research competence u encourage them to think critically u urge them to create their own views after evaluating different opinions u promotes Media Literacy

5. Appropriate instruction on search techniques n Autonomous research may end up in dismay without proper guidance on search techniques n Search techniques u search directories u search engines u effective keywords u advanced search techniques u other search tools/databases u research aid organizations

Some useful keywords For objective information search n Data n Numbers n Records n Statistics n List n Table n Standing n Comparison n Countries n Facts n Recent n Transition n Increase n Decrease

For subjective information search n Opinions n Views n Review n Discussion n Forum n Comparison n Analysis n Assessment n Evaluation n Criticism n Critic n Argument n Opposition n Objection n Controversy n Conflict n Difference n Repercussion

n Project (3) Project (3)

6. Appropriate selection of research topics and methods n Not all research topics are suited for Internet search. n We need wisdom on the selection of research topics. n Awareness of the advantages and the disadvantages of Internet research and library research in terms of effectiveness and quality of information n Suitable areas of queries for the two methods

Topics suitable for researching on the Internet and in the Library

Internet n current issues n statistical data n frequently updated data n discussion results n quick data search n personal information n controversial issues n institutions and their activities n IT-related information n business-related information

Library n historical or chronological events n established values, thoughts, theories, systems n famous people in history n works of specific areas (literature, art, architecture, etc.) n information about 3 rd -world countries n academic studies in depth

7. Project Memo n Quite a few students misunderstand task objectives. n They don’t like to consult with or show their incomplete work to teachers. n What is citation about? n Have students to submit an initial and interim project memoproject memo n Help them hold clearer idea about the course of the project

n Project (4) Project (4)

References n Brown-Daniel Library (2001) Library Research [Online]. Available: n Dodge, B. (2001) Seven Steps Toward Better Searching [Online]. Available: n Nunan, D. (1992) Research Method in Language Learning, CUP. 3. n Pepperdine University Library (2001) Seven Steps to Effective Library Research [Online]. Available: n Wilson, F. (2001) Effective Library Research [Online]. Available:

Thank you!