Week 22 Feed back to one student can help you as well

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Here is an example of feedback from Ms Keus to one student.  It is detailed and could help everyone with their last revision of report.

1) Your goal paragraph is unfocused and in past tense. It reads more like an “abstract” than an introduction. It needs to be in future tense and you need to state what your goal is and how you hope to achieve it
2) You have not listed your guiding question
3) You need to define your AOI more clearly
4) Specifications aren’t always clear
5) Selection of Sources has no in-text citations (which means you aren’t allowed to have a reference list, since they are matching pairs)
6) Your description of sources is vague because you don’t evaluate specific sources, but rather just talk about general genres.
7) You have off-topic sentences (e.g. talking about getting books when you should be evaluating books)
8) Your application of information section is too small
9) Your reflection on learning section meets only 1 of the 3 criteria descriptors – You have not reflected on your learning or on your AOI
10) Your reference list has incorrect information. You have not added authors’ names and dates even when they are readily available.
11) Appendices need to be finished

Choosing Journal Extracts

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Here’s a handy checklist to help you choose your process journal samples:

Green-Check-MarkSamples showing dates from August through February.

Green-Check-MarkSamples are truthful (your supervisor will know if you add embellishments!)

Green-Check-MarkSamples show your self-management, research, thinking, and communication skills.

Green-Check-MarkSome sources are shown. They are correctly cited and are evaluated for positives, negatives, biases, etc.

Green-Check-MarkYou’ve included your original goal and a plan for doing it.

Green-Check-MarkSamples show discussion of problems that came up and how you fixed them.

Green-Check-MarkSamples show what your supervisor discussed and what you did based on the feedback.

Green-Check-MarkReflections are critical and not just narrations.

 

One sample might meet several requirements. For example, your plan dated in August will also show self-management skills. Your reflection on your supervisor’s feedback – dated in October – will show progress over time, reflection, and supervisor discussion. Go through your process journal and make sure that you pick really good samples that meet as many band descriptors as possible!
Here’s the band descriptors that go with your checklist:
*the process journal has been built up regularly covering the entire period of the project
*a genuine document that has accompanied the student throughout the process and has been used productively
*all ATL behaviours shown
*sources are recorded
*includes evidence of goal setting and planning to achieve the goal
*problems encountered are recorded and solutions suggested as a result of debate and discussion
*dialogue between student and supervisor recorded and evidence of action based on supervisor’s feedback
*reflections on the progress of the project are meaningful

Week 18: Working on your Report

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Next Wednesday of week 19 is the due date to hand in a draft version of your report.

Make an appointment with your supervisor and expect feedback in the following days.

The valuable feedback will help you improve your performance.

If you don’t meet this deadline: contact your supervisor.

Getting feedback on your draft is very helpful. Make sure this is happening before CNY.

The final deadline for your report and product is Wednesday February 19, 6:00 PM.

 

 

 

 

 

Week: 11 Variety of Sources

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Your reference list needs a variety of sources. What does the word variety mean?
Dictionary.com says, “a number of different types of things, especially ones in the same general category.” So a variety of sources means a number of different sources in the same reference list.

What does a “variety” of sources look like?

Books – See the school library. Go to www.amazon.cn. Take your passport to the Nanjing Public Library at Daxingong and get a library card.

Journal Articles – You can find these using the new EBSCOhost researching tool. Also, some peer-reviewed, professional journals are now publishing online, for free!

Newspapers – Check to which papers our library subscribes. Also check online – most of the major newspapers also have online versions.

Magazines – Check with Mr. Lockwood and Mrs. Rinker to see which magazines the school subscribes. You can also purchase magazines from the iTunes store through In-App purchasing.

Videos – These can be online (like YouTube) or they can be DVDs.

Audio Files – These can be music files or a CD. Last year a student studied how music soothes insomniacs and used audio files in her reference list.

Encyclopedias – Sometimes you need to start off by introducing your topic, and what better way to find a short, concise definition than through our local encyclopedias. Check with Mrs. Rinker.

Personal Communications – According to the APA manual, you can include a personal communication in your reference list if you provide a word-for-word transcription; otherwise, put your communications into your appendices.

Technical Reports – Doing a report on chemical properties? Technical reports are good sources of information.

Informally Published Works – IBO guidelines and manuals count as informally published works. If you have defined your AOI or have quoted about your AOI, you also need to cite the IBO.

Conference Papers / Lecture Notes – Many big conferences will post the speeches given. Some universities (e.g. Stanford) publish their lecture notes for free.

Government Reports, Acts & Laws – Some countries publish their reports, acts, and laws online, for free. I know that Canada, America, and China all do this. If you want to see how your topic is considered by specific countries, then check online.

Week 10: Journal and Report Format

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Make sure you meet your supervisor this week for a progress report.  Bring updated journal with you.

If you are considering presenting your report or journal in a format other than written, you must inform Mr. Morin and your supervisor by e-mail. Please explain your choice in a short paragraph.

_________________________________

Email subject : FORMAT of PPP DOCUMENTS

To:  Francis Morin <Francismorin@staff.nanjing-school.com>

CC: Your Supervisor

According to the Guide :

 

 

PPP 4 Boxes: A new and improved document (week 5)

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Dear PPP students,

We have redesigned the 4 Boxes document. Please start using it from now on.  It may take a few minutes but the time invested will allow you to reflect on the quality and the level of alignment.

Use that document when you meet your supervisor for your next weekly visit.

Keep all documents and changes in your journal.

PPP 4 Boxes 1314 Final

 

 

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Supervisor’s Tips  (have a look students)

1. Best TIP: A clear goal is crucial!  Students have completed their initial planning when they get their “4 boxes” officially approved by a mentor.  Coming up with a clear goal will lead to focus and success. This is the next logical step.   The goal has to be fully aligned with the ideas of the “4 boxes”.  The rest of the journey is greatly affected by the clarity of the goal.

2.  Your student is using the Guide to the Personal Project (available on blog).

3.  Your student maintains a detailed Process Journal with all required components. (See category Process journal on blog)

4.  Refer to the assessment criteria when you communicate with your student.

5.  Refer to step by step sequence of PPP (see guide P. 17)

6.  Encourage your student at every meeting.  There is always something positive to notice. Remind them what they do well.

7.  When in doubt or unsure, consult with mentor PPP teacher about an issue or send your student for a consult or second opinion.

8. Provide more feedback and refrain advising student what to do.

“4 Boxes” and first meeting with supervisor (Week 4)

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1. Contact your supervisor and plan a first meeting

2. Meet supervisor: show your documents:  “4 boxes” and journal idea or concept.

3.  “4 Boxes” include: Topic. AoI, PPP Question and Possible Project.

4. Receive feedback.

5. Plan next meeting with supervisor.

6.  Contact  Mentor of your choice for “Permission to Continue”  stamp.

– A “stamp” is obtained only  when “4 boxes are clearly aligned.

– Mentors are: Ms Tyoschin, Mr Messom, Ms Keus, Mr Morin, Ms Rinker

7. Meet mentor and show your documents: ” 4 boxes” and journal

8.  Receive Permission to continue Stamp

9. Continue the process