District News

Online resource ‘Noodle Tools’ helps Canajoharie sophomores with research papers

 

Feb. 6, 2012

 

Canajoharie High School students must write a research paper for English each year they attend school. For this year’s sophomore class, the process just got a little more organized.

Using an online resource called “Noodle Tools,” the students can cite sources, develop note cards, and create an outline of their work – all in the same place. English teacher Beth Sunderland recently assigned her students a 3-5 page paper on a debate topic.

The students must write a paper on a topic and present his or her side like a court case. And with every source they find, they must put it into Noodle Tools.

The students have spent class periods familiarizing themselves with the Noodle Tools software (which they can access through the school website) with media specialist/teacher Tammy Jones.

Mrs. Jones calls it an exciting way to help students organize larger amounts of vetted information and turn it into a well-written body of research for others to learn from.

“Students no longer have to tote around MLA format packets and index cards they live in fear of losing. Noodle Tools organizes every step of the research process, and stores it for students in their own account that they can access from any computer or device with internet access,” she said.

“It makes the teachers’ lives easier as well. Teachers can access every student’s work as they are creating it, and leave comments for improvement and revision. They can also determine when and how often students are on the site and working on their projects.”

Topics the student’s picked this year include: “Is Facebook helpful or harmful?” “Do lawmakers deserve the salaries they receive?” and “how fast food should not be illegal.”

The project not only promotes online organizational skills and research, but enhances writing and research skills.

“The students need to be able to choose a thesis and support it with three reasons. And each reason is supported with three pieces of evidence,” Mrs. Sunderland said. “They are learning how to make and support an argument using facts and stats, while avoiding opinions. It’s a really good exercise in what is considered valid evidence.”

Anthony Brock, whose topic focuses on being against banning fast food, said the project excites him; and not only because he loves fast food.

“Noodle Tools has really helped me organize everything, and I’m excited to write the paper and present it to the class,” he said. “I know there will be some controversy on this one.”

Cheyenne Rockwell also said her topic might spur some class discussion. She plans to analyze the question “Do members of the U.S. Congress deserve what they are paid?

“This project brings up topics that are really important and shows different viewpoints,” she said. “I like to write and writing about this makes me excited.”

If someone in the community wants to use Noodle Tools, they can stop at the school and receive a password.