The information I have gathered about planning certain aspects of an outdoor reception would be most useful for those doing the same. I have decided to put my findings into a website. Although, Annette Lamb provides a plethora of options on the Information Age Inquiry website! Lamb states that during Wrapping you need to, "Synthesize the information you've collected into new words, develop a picture, create a chart, design a timeline, or make a video." All great ideas! It was difficult to make my final choice. The website seemed like the best option for me. I have created a few websites in the past. By using the website, I am not limited on the amount of information I can include. I thought about possibly creating a planning guide on my particular topics using Microsoft Publisher, but the amount of space if very limiting.
The work that I have put into this project and the information and knowledge I have gained will be very important to me in the future. (I think it is safe to say that...we talked about looking for rings...hooray!) We can use this information as a stepping stone when planning our wedding. The nice thing about a website is that we can continue to use it and add information to it. We can use it as a tool of organization when planning. Eventually, I could even share the link with my bridesmaids not living in the area, so they can be involved in what we are planning. It is a great way to share information.
The organization of the website will be basically straightforward. The homepage will describe the information found within the site and the purpose. There will be a link to 5 different pages - Tip/Advice, Menu Options, Dessert Options, Tent/Flooring Options, and Decor Options. Within each page will be ideas...some with pictures. I will also include pros and cons or advice and suggestions that I have gathered from the many resources I have found. I will also include links to my favorite websites within the site. My goal is that the site be easy to use and include useful information to me in the future.
Going back to the plethora of ideas that can be used for the "Wrapping" phase, I think that having so many options is fantastic. Thinking back to when I was a student doing research, we basically did the research and wrote a report. We didn't have options. I love that by using a model like this it give the inquirer the flexiblity to pick an end product that works for them. I can remember listening to the same format of presentation over and over and over again because everyone was doing the same thing. I would imagine if you offered students freedom and flexibility on the project, your presentations would hold more interest to the audience.
Well, time to wrap it up!
Callison, Daniel and Annette Lamb. Information Age Inquiry. IUPUI. Web. 11 February 2011.
I like the idea of a website! It's accessible anytime, anywhere. You're very smart to consider a "final" product that you can continue adding information to as your inquiry evolves even after this project deadline.
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about student final projects was very insightful. That's something I've thought alot about during this process. Annette did a wonderful job of honoring student choice and giving us the freedom to make the project work for our needs. I'm guilty of designing inquiry/ research opportunities for students and giving them only a couple final project options. I wonder, though, is it really best to give young elementary students "forced choices"? I don't know, but it's something I've thought alot about during this process.
Great work, Elissa, and thanks for mentioning that insight about student research.