learning activities
Argument Mapping
We will argument map many of the readings in the course. This is a very useful skill that will improve your thinking and writing. You can start working through the Argument Mapping Tutorials before the start of the semester, if you like. You are not required to purchase the Rationale software. Free options are available (e.g., CMAP) and can be adapted for argument mapping. The discussion leader's map will be shared among the class so that by the end of the course each student will have maps for each reading.
Discussion Leadership
The readings will be divided equally among all students with one person assigned to each reading. You must argument map the article/chapter you will lead the discussion of and provide everyone in the class a copy of your map. The criteria for effective discussion leadership is posted here and we will discuss how to lead an effective discussion of the readings.
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Note: I will meet with each of you individually to discuss your research topic. My hope is that your poster, presentation, and paper can contribute to your thesis or some other project you are working on. For example, you may want to consider a chapter in your thesis that addresses the contemporary or "broader impacts" (as defined by NSF) of your research. Can your work inform a contemporary sustainability issue? The poster, oral presentation, and paper are all topically related; that is, they all involve presenting the same or similar research, arguments, and data.
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Poster Appropriate for a Scientific Conference
Each student will develop and present a poster appropriate for a professional conference in your area of interest. Class time will be devoted to thorough critique of your effort. Please review the criteria for evaluating your poster.
Oral Presentation Appropriate for a Scientific Conference
Each student will develop a 10 or 15 minute presentation appropriate for a professional conference in your area of interest. Class time will be devoted to thorough critique of your effort. Please review the following resources to improve you presentation skills: Effective Presentations and the Design of Presentation Slides. I suggest you consider the "Assertion-Evidence" slide design explained at the previous link. There are also slide templates available that are designed for the assertion-evidence method. Whatever your approach, remember that your objective is to be understood and to convince. The criteria that we will use to evaluate your oral presentation is presented here.
Final Research Paper
Each student will develop a research paper. The main focus of the paper is the structure and quality of your argument not the significance of the new knowledge you are creating. Please review the criteria for evaluating a research paper.
We will argument map many of the readings in the course. This is a very useful skill that will improve your thinking and writing. You can start working through the Argument Mapping Tutorials before the start of the semester, if you like. You are not required to purchase the Rationale software. Free options are available (e.g., CMAP) and can be adapted for argument mapping. The discussion leader's map will be shared among the class so that by the end of the course each student will have maps for each reading.
Discussion Leadership
The readings will be divided equally among all students with one person assigned to each reading. You must argument map the article/chapter you will lead the discussion of and provide everyone in the class a copy of your map. The criteria for effective discussion leadership is posted here and we will discuss how to lead an effective discussion of the readings.
**********
Note: I will meet with each of you individually to discuss your research topic. My hope is that your poster, presentation, and paper can contribute to your thesis or some other project you are working on. For example, you may want to consider a chapter in your thesis that addresses the contemporary or "broader impacts" (as defined by NSF) of your research. Can your work inform a contemporary sustainability issue? The poster, oral presentation, and paper are all topically related; that is, they all involve presenting the same or similar research, arguments, and data.
***********
Poster Appropriate for a Scientific Conference
Each student will develop and present a poster appropriate for a professional conference in your area of interest. Class time will be devoted to thorough critique of your effort. Please review the criteria for evaluating your poster.
Oral Presentation Appropriate for a Scientific Conference
Each student will develop a 10 or 15 minute presentation appropriate for a professional conference in your area of interest. Class time will be devoted to thorough critique of your effort. Please review the following resources to improve you presentation skills: Effective Presentations and the Design of Presentation Slides. I suggest you consider the "Assertion-Evidence" slide design explained at the previous link. There are also slide templates available that are designed for the assertion-evidence method. Whatever your approach, remember that your objective is to be understood and to convince. The criteria that we will use to evaluate your oral presentation is presented here.
Final Research Paper
Each student will develop a research paper. The main focus of the paper is the structure and quality of your argument not the significance of the new knowledge you are creating. Please review the criteria for evaluating a research paper.
