The University of Minnesota Assignment Calculator is a tool from the University Libraries for undergraduate students. Students put in dates for the beginning and end dates of an assignment and its subject area and this Web 2.0 tool generates a 12-step research guide and timeline for the project and recommends resources and strategies. The Assignment Calculator is widely used and adapted by academic libraries across the country.
The Research Project Calculator (RPC) is based on the Assignment Calculator and was created to help secondary students plan for and navigate the research process in an ethical manner, using reliable resources. This five step process includes deadlines and (optional) email reminders. The tool also offers hints, worksheets, and guides for various types of projects.
The Teacher Guide to the Research Project Calculator (RPC) assists teachers in planning, managing, and teaching the often daunting research process by providing them with resources and step-by-step instructions, based on the five-step process outlined in the RPC. The site begins with an "About the RPC" section that provides an overview of the calculator, describes the role of the teacher in detail, and explains the resources included in the tool. There is even a streamlined version called "No Time?" for busy teachers and/or students. (Is there any other kind?)
For this Thing:
1. Look at the RPC and the Assignment Calculator. Don’t try to cover every aspect of the tools, but rather browse the steps and consider how useful this could be to research assignments at school.
2. Look at the supporting materials in the Teacher Guide. Are any of these useful to you?
Blog Prompts
Which of the two calculators seems better suited for your research work here at Ai Minnesota? Why?
How might the RPC and the Teacher Guide help you manage research projects?
Assuming you'll graduate from Ai MN someday -- can you think of any uses for personal or professional projects—could you use any of these tools to help manage a timeline for a project of your own?
