With all of the research available to us as to how the brain learns best, it still surprises me the number of educators out there who continue to rely heavily on textbook readings and worksheets.
In this "information age" research skills are some of the most important and useful tools we can give our students. These skills should be taught and practiced from first grade all the way up through high school. Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and what better way to learn than to discover the answers to questions through research?
"Oh, no," you may say to yourself, "my kids aren't ready for research." Perhaps you are the one who is not ready. For those of us who remember 20 page writing assignments, the word research can have a very negative connotation. However, research can be as simple as looking up the answer to a question.
Why do we want to incorporate research into our classrooms? According to the National Training Laboratory in Bethel, Maine, the average retention rate for reading from textbooks and doing paper/pencil activities is 10%. However, the retention rate for students who practice by doing and/or teach others is 90%. That is an 80% difference in retention of learning between these two teaching strategies! Wow!
When students search out the answer to a question they have developed and then teach others what they have learned, we are looking at a 90% retention of that information. However, assigning a research project is only part of it. Students must also have choice in deciding what they want to learn.
"How can I make that work in my classroom?" you may ask. We all know that there are certain concepts that must be taught for each class. Use required concepts as your main topic and allow students to choose categories within those topics.
For example, if you are studying about the American Colonies and want students to learn more about the period, have students research one aspect that interests them. You may have someone who is interested in fashion design. This student might be interested in how the clothes worn by colonial men, women, and children were different from the ones we wear today.
As adults, we are motivated to learn about things that interest us. I know that I did far better in my teaching classes and my English classes than I ever did in Math or Political Science. Our students are the same. By choosing a topic or asking a question that interests them, they will be more motivated to research it. Once they've found the answer to their question, they'll be even more motivated to share it with others.
Yes, it does take time. Your students will not jump for joy the first time you announce a research project and oral presentation. In fact, you'll probably hear moans and groans. However, if you continue to use research consistently in your classroom, you'll find that by the end of the year your students will want to learn this way. The moans and groans will disappear, to be replaced with questions and ideas instead.v
Give your students the greatest gift you can offer them - the ability to learn for themselves!
For practical tips on how you can implement research projects in your classroom, read our tip entitled "Using Research Projects to Teach".
