Today, G7’s group formative research project, on the features on the Mayan civilization, reached its culmination with final presentations. In their groups, students worked methodically through the process of planning for their research, defining roles and responsibilities, and designing their end product. They practiced using a variety of specified digital and non-digital secondary sources to investigate the question and gather key information about the features of the Mayan civilization. In order to strengthen their time management and organization skills, each stage was timed. Their final presentations focused on what they know and understand about the Maya as a result of their inquiry.
Each team also had to speak about their process; how they collaborated to complete each stage, how they used each others strengths when deciding on roles and responsibilities, and their ‘whys’ when it came to making the choices they made. Rather than simply reading from their posters, each group member was challenged to speak from a place of understanding.
An important part of the presentation was an ‘on the spot’ spoken reflection in response to the following questions:
- Was there equal distribution of responsibilities for planning, research, and production.
- If not, why not?
- Are you satisfied with the finished product? Why? Why not?
- What was the most effective part of your teamwork?
- What was the least effective part of your teamwork?
- Complete this sentence, ‘Next time I will …?
Even though students had to step outside their comfort zones a little today, most leaned in to that challenge. Next week, we will review the investigation process, and the importance of approaching a project of inquiry in clear steps i.e. plan, design, research, review design, create, present and reflect. This review will act as a segway into their summative individual choice-based research projects.
Well done everyone!