Developing project management skills

This exercise asks students to reflect on how they are currently navigating their research project. It is best given after the research process has begun, but before the project has concluded.

Download Developing project management skills (Acrobat (PDF) 46kB Oct13 22)

 

Background

The goal of this exercise is to help you learn how to learn about your own learning and how to make adjustments to learn more effectively. This process, called 'metacognition,' has been shown to improve student success in all sorts of ways, including boosts in reading comprehension, exam performance, and problem-solving. This exercise gives you an opportunity to learn about your own learning and apply those lessons to your research project.

 

Purpose of the exercise

This exercise asks you reflect on how you're currently navigating your research project for the course. Metacognitive students are effective learners because they are flexible in their thinking and willing to make adjustments. This exercise provides an opportunity to practice learning about your own learning and the opportunity to make adjustments if necessary.

 

 

Instructions

Consider your research project. Think about how you're going about doing the work. Answer the following questions. Your answers do not need to be overly long, but you should try to provide enough detail so that you explain your responses.

 

  1. Are you confident that you have the knowledge and skills to complete your research project? If so, what's your greatest strength? If not, where are you struggling?
  2. Have you used your time effectively? If so, what's the secret to your success? If not, what would you do differently?
  3. Have experienced setbacks? What are they? Have you found ways to overcome them or are you still struggling?
  4. Have you used all the resources at your disposal? Where might you find resources that will help you work more effectively?
  5. What's the biggest surprise about the research process so far?
  6. What's one adjustment that you can make to more effectively complete your research project?