Lesson 4
1. Lesson 4
Module 1: Logic and Set Theory
Lesson 4: Research Project
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Lesson 4 is different from the first three lessons you have encountered in this module. Lesson 4 explains the research project that you will be doing in Module 8, which is the last module of this course. The purpose of this lesson is to get you to think about this project ahead of time.
Module 8 will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of a concept you learned in this course and to develop an appreciation of the role that mathematics plays in society. You will research a current event or an area of interest that involves mathematics and prepare a presentation.
This project will provide real-life applications for using the strategies and concepts you have encountered in this course.
Projects are a common task performed in many careers. When you are given a project, deadlines are important as is the information that you present. In order to meet the deadline, one should set up a project plan for completion to be efficient and productive.
Turn to pages 60 and 61 of the Principles of Mathematics 12 textbook and read “Creating an Action Plan,” “Issues Affecting Project Completion,” and “Your Turn,” which provides a step-by-step progression on how to complete the project and avoid pitfalls that could delay the completion of the project.
The following provide more details for the steps outlined on page 61.
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Selecting Your Topic: Throughout the course, there will be prompts with Topic Ideas for you to think about. You may choose one of these ideas, or you may choose one on your own. Check the suitability of your topic with your teacher before proceeding to step 2.
James Woodson/Digital Vision/Thinkstock - Develop an Inquiry Question: An inquiry question is the question you want to answer throughout the project. It is the reason you are doing the project in the first place. By the end of the presentation, you should have provided a clear answer to this question.
- Research the Topic: Collecting data on your topic is an important skill that will carry on into many facets of your life. Using a variety of resources such as finding reliable information on the Internet, consulting professionals, and viewing documentaries and media may seem overwhelming, but if you focus on your inquiry question this will help you with step 4.
- Analyze Your Research: Analyzing your data will require you to check if the information is valid and reliable. You will also need to determine if the data helps you answer your inquiry question. Ensure that you become an expert in the topic you have chosen to present. Knowing your material inside and out will make presenting it much easier.
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Create an Outline: An outline is a blueprint for your project that allows you to organize your research.
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Thinkstock - First Draft and Revision: This is where you put all those organized ideas into your project presentation. The revision and editing process allows you to develop a first draft into an excellent final paper.
- Final Draft and Presentation: The final draft and presentation can be done in a variety of ways. Discuss with your teacher your chosen presentation method.
Throughout the course, you will be presented with suitable topic ideas. You may choose one of these topics or you may choose one of your own. Module 8 of the course is dedicated to the course project, but you may complete the project at any time. If you find a topic that you are interested in, continue to Module 8 to complete the research project.
As a preliminary exercise, use the suggested minimum and maximum times on page 61 to determine the minimum and maximum number of days you will need to spend on your project. This information will provide you with a time-line to help determine how long it will take for you to complete the project.
There are no assessment items for Lesson 4. Now proceed to the Module 1 Summary for a review of the concepts you have discovered in this module.