Guiding Project Topic Selection Using Immediate Feedback
Overview
Students review three sample project topics with short explanations as to why they are not suitable for a semester-long project to help students select their own topic.
Why Use This?
By looking at topic examples that are too broad or outside the scope of the course or assignment, students can more confidently pick a topic they know will be appropriate for a semester-long project. Instructors also save time by using examples in the course to give students immediate feedback on their topic ideas instead of following up with the student later in the process if an inappropriate topic is chosen.
Students explore sample topics via an interactive feature on a Canvas page.
Reflection Check
Is the topic you picked closely related to sex and gender? Consider the following topics picked by imaginary students. Can you correctly guess why they would be rejected by the instructor?
Alex Alsmith wants to complete their policy paper on girls’ access to education in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Show Reason for Rejection
Beverly Bigsby wants to complete her policy paper on climate change
Show Reason for Rejection
Cameron Cabrera wants to complete his policy paper on inequitable distributions of domestic labor within American households.
Show Reason for Rejection
How Does It Work?
The examples and explanations appear on the course page that introduces the project. The instructor only has to come up with the examples and their explanations.
An example of the feedback students receive
Alex Alsmith wants to complete their policy paper on girls’ access to education in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Reason for Rejection: While this topic is important, it is out of the scope of this course, which focuses on American policy and the American policy making process.
Keep In Mind
Make sure the examples reflect the most common mistakes, misconceptions, or errors that students make when selecting a topic.