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a bit of brightness
Dec. 1st, 2003 08:40 pmAnother dreary day. i don't know how often i have to mention that i am a solar powered person before the weather guys get the idea. This is the second day of no sunshine and my batteries are in dire need of a solar recharge. If the sun doesn't shine soon, someone is likely to die.
The only thing that prevented a death from happening today is a student. She came to me after class and wanted to know if she could change her research question. The final draft of the paper is due on December 22. These students have been working on the darned thing since September 20. i was about to blow a gasket, but i had the presence of mind to ask why.
Her answer totally delighted me. i think i may have been witness to the birth of a researcher.
She told me, when i asked, that she wasn't finding anything new. All the reading she has done has proved out in the field research that is required. She wants to discover something new. She wants to change her question to something else so the answers won't be so pat.
i had to remind her that this course really isn't about research, it's about how to write a research paper. What they need to do is learn the components of a formal research paper, as well as the language that goes into it. When they are in the fourth year, they will do a real piece of research.
She said she really liked what she is working on, and that she wants to learn more. i told her the topic she chose is an excellent one. It is something she can use as her fourth year project. That is why i tell the students they should pick a topic they are willing to live with for the whole of the semester. The more interest they have in the topic, the easier it is to do the work that is required and the easier it is to write a good paper.
She smiled and said she was glad she had the topic. And that made my day. It was one of those moments that make me truly glad i am in this profession. i do believe i made an impression on that girl. And that is a rare thing. It happens so seldom, but when it does, it makes all the other times worthwhile.
( Read more... )
The only thing that prevented a death from happening today is a student. She came to me after class and wanted to know if she could change her research question. The final draft of the paper is due on December 22. These students have been working on the darned thing since September 20. i was about to blow a gasket, but i had the presence of mind to ask why.
Her answer totally delighted me. i think i may have been witness to the birth of a researcher.
She told me, when i asked, that she wasn't finding anything new. All the reading she has done has proved out in the field research that is required. She wants to discover something new. She wants to change her question to something else so the answers won't be so pat.
i had to remind her that this course really isn't about research, it's about how to write a research paper. What they need to do is learn the components of a formal research paper, as well as the language that goes into it. When they are in the fourth year, they will do a real piece of research.
She said she really liked what she is working on, and that she wants to learn more. i told her the topic she chose is an excellent one. It is something she can use as her fourth year project. That is why i tell the students they should pick a topic they are willing to live with for the whole of the semester. The more interest they have in the topic, the easier it is to do the work that is required and the easier it is to write a good paper.
She smiled and said she was glad she had the topic. And that made my day. It was one of those moments that make me truly glad i am in this profession. i do believe i made an impression on that girl. And that is a rare thing. It happens so seldom, but when it does, it makes all the other times worthwhile.
( Read more... )
