jOURNAL 3 PROMPT Purpose: Here you will select a topic for your semester projec

jOURNAL 3 PROMPT

Purpose: Here you will select a topic for your semester project and begin your research on your topic. In the in-class Workshop, you can get individual feedback about choosing a topic and how the key integrative themes connect to examples.

Tasks:

1. First, go to Journal 2 and respond to your LA’s comments as you did in Journal 1 (see Journal 2 instructions for more details).

1. Read the full instructions for the semester project in Blackboard (under Semester Project). Note: we will have an in-class workshop on making infographics! Don’t worry about that part now.
2. Review previous student projects on Dr. Melley’s website to see if you would like to build on/improve any of them (note: we are only making infographics this year).
3. Choose a topic from the topic choices on the instructions. Identify the Key Theme that you will use to frame your topic.|
4. Search the library Psychology and Behavioral Sciences databases (this link takes you GMU library, you need to log in). If you must search other other internet sources, make sure you are finding *psychology research*. If you find a blog post, look for the references and find the original research article in the library. If you find a medical or education research article and it doesn’t have psychology concepts, try to find something similar in the psychology databases.

Here is a video about searching and another one here more specific to social science databases. From your internet search, identify trusted sources, take notes on information that you might want to share in your project. At this point, keep it broad, with several possible ideas– save for when you write the supporting document.

1. Read the research articles (use “How to Read a Journal Article”) – break down the research articles into what the researchers did (what was the design?), who the participants were, and what the researchers concluded. Keep this and #2 as a draft for the supporting document.
2. For the Journal:
   1. If you are in-class, meet with an LA, TA, or Dr. Melley about your topic and key theme, and show them your articles – they will take your name and assign credit for the journal. If we don’t have time to meet with everyone, please follow instructions for “if you don’t make it to class.”
   2. If you don’t make it to class: Turn in your journal as you normally would. Go to the Journal area, tell us: 1) your topic; 2) your chosen key theme, and 3) link or upload at least two articles from your search. Ask any questions that you have.

Full Credit for this journal requires 4 things:

• Respond to feedback on Journal 2 (or Journal 1 if you didn’t do Journal 2)
• Project Topic statement
• Key Theme statement
• Two article links

JOURNAL 4 PROMPT =

Purpose: After this journal, you will have a working draft of an infographic to edit for your project.

NOTE:

In class on Thursday 3/28, we will have a workshop about the project and infographics. Our highly experienced LAs will present what they have learned and you need to know while working on this. You will earn credit for Journal 4 by coming to class and registering your attendance. We will provide feedback to you in class. If you want more feedback, submit a journal entry. If you do not come to class, just turn in your journal as usual.

Tasks:

1. First, go to Journal 3 and respond to your LA’s feedback
2. You should already have several sources and a well-formed topic, and know which key theme you will use to frame it. If not, work on that first.
3. Decide how you will create your infographic – a drawing, a digital poster, etc. and what tools you will use (ink & paper, Canva, Powerpoint, Adobe, etc)
4. Then, Create a Draft of Your Infographic from project instructions:
   1. Prepare by telling a story with the information you have learned from your research. What would you tell your neighbor, friend, parent? Edit so the story can be told in 1-2 paragraphs.
   2. Pull out short phrases from the story as a starting point for the text on the infographic. Create a one-page infographic by drawing or using digital tools. The goal is for the reader to be able to “consume” your project and understand your major points within 5 minutes.
   3. Include a statement of the key theme somewhere on the infographic. It can be a part of the main content or a footnote, comment bubble, etc.
   4. Include references on the infographic in APA style, in small text (help for this in Blackboard).

Criteria: Full credit for this Journal is earned when you do the following:

• Respond to feedback on the last Journal you completed.
• Upload a .pdf or .jpg file of an infographic to your Journal – this can be a screenshot, photo, or download.
• Infographic must, at minimum, include topic and key theme.

I’m not doing the Semester Project – do I have to do this whole Journal?

Good question!

You need three Journals for a B or C in the class (see below). If you have already completed three, then you do not need to do this Journal. If you need it, then complete this journal. It is a draft, it does not have to be perfect. Work with the topic and theme you chose for Journal 2 (or choose one).