Building something with technology” makes people think of 3D printers and science fair robots. In the information age, building must extend to ideas. One of the most important skills students need to master to succeed in modern world is ability to effectively synthesize information into a coherent and persuasive thesis. As such, every year my grade 12 AP English students work on a semester-long research project culminating in a ten-thousand word research paper. When I first announce the assignment, my students claim it is impossible. “English isn’t our first language,” they’ll cry. But every year I read excellent papers because they do great work. It is not impossibly at all.
One thing technology does very well is provide a nearly infinite amount of information at our fingertips. Unfortunately, a lot of that information is bad information or useless without the proper context. Media literacy is vital, and as my students learn how to effectively research they are honing their literacy. They are then able to find the right blocks necessary to build their eventual argument.
Writing a research paper may not sound impressive, but it is not as common today as when I was in high school. The revised AP English Language and Composition Course and Exam Description for 2020 removed the requirements relating to MLA, APA, or Chicago citation. I confirmed with an AP Summer Institute trainer in 2019 that this means CollegeBoard no longer expects AP Language students to write research papers. Students are bombarded 24/7 with information, but the AP course most focused on English reading and writing does not ask students to use this information in an appropriate way. This seems outrageous to me which is why I added the research paper assignment to my curriculum even though those skills will not be directly tested on the AP exam.
While many people want students to learn how to create apps or interactive books, I am happy helping my students use existing information to create new ideas.
The Keasy Depot 