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23096C10E52A | Schools now are requiring their students to complete summer projects to assure they are learning and maintaining the knowledge gained in the past school year. Though there has been some contemplation as to whether these projects should be teacher-designed or student-designed. Students should design their projects because it will be in their skill set and the students will be more likely to complete it because it will be in their field of interest. However, there should also be some restriction as well. Students should only get to design their project if the teacher approves of it before hand.
Every student has their own interests and things they like to do, whether it be in or out of school. With projects being in their particular field of interest, they will be more inclined to learn about the topic and complete a project on it. Kids who are more interested in animals and nature might not be as interested in a project about space or robotics, therefore not being as excited to do it and there is even a possibility of them getting a bad grade. From experience in a previous project I completed on manatees, I was interested and wanted to research the topic I chose. Projects that fit best to my interests where more fun and enjoyable, and allowed me to complete it on time while having lots of information on the topic at hand. These projects are also being completed during summer, a time when students are enjoying their long break. A project that is fun and to their liking will help the student get it done quicker and better. Students interests are sometime lost in the teachers decision, therefore they should acknowledge that students all arent the same and allow their students to design whatever project seems the most eye-catching to them. In the end, it makes a more excited and focused student.
Along with students having different interests, they also have different skill sets as well. There is a wide range of courses and topics that each and every student does well with while others find more challenging. For example, a student could have a hard time in a math class while another thrives. Being a student myself, knowing that I would have to complete a project that i'm not as familiar and skilled at would stress me out to the point of not completing it. During summer most students use that time to relax from all their hard work during the school year and by adding on a project which doesn't align with their skills will cause them to feel panicked and overwhelmed to get it finished on time and have all the key elements. Projects should showcase what a student knows to their class, teachers, and sometimes family, but when given a topic that is far more challenging, they are less likely to complete it to the best of their abilities.
One reason why there is controversy on whether the summer projects should be student-designed or teacher-designed is because the learning aspect of the project could be lost. Students will design projects that will not be connected to the curriculum or non-educational, therefore not allowing the student to learn as much. However, there are ways to avoid this problem. One way is to get the teachers to approve of the given project. In their decision they will hold true to the students interests and skills and help guide the student to design a more adequate project if needed. This will decrease the amount of non-educational projects that some students might come up with and also include the students main interests and better skills, which is often lost in a teacher-designed project.
The requirement of summer projects has much controversy on whether the students should chose their project themselves or the teachers. With the students being able to do so, their certain interests will be included and their skills will be showcased. However, there would be an issue of students picking projects that won't be as educational as the school intended for them to be. To avoid this problem, teachers would approve of the given project, lowering the amount of non-educational projects while also having the student be excited and focused to do the project. In conclusion, summer projects should be student-designed, but only if the teacher approves of it. | 6 | 719 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
EBD36D034DAC | Lots of kids love having summer break off from school, but when it comes to summer assignments there's only so much time in the summer for students to fit all their prior plans in with all the over-the-summer school work their teachers assign. And majority of students would also rather not do school work on their break from school and would just want to enjoy the time off but many schools require students to do some sort of school work over the summer to keep their brains active and to help them continue to learn. Some students have take part in saying that they would like to design their own summer projects for many different reason. In contrast, some teachers don't agree with the students for the summer projects to be student-designed. The required summer assignments should be teacher-designed by the students upcoming teacher so that the students can be prepared fully on what they are going to learn for the upcoming school year, so that the their teachers can make sure they include work from last year so they don't forget about the stuff they previously learned about, and because teachers will most likely organize the work to be an appropriate amount since they're use to giving school work with projects and due dates but also understand that there are students that go on vacations and won't have the whole summer to complete an assignment.
Teachers will know exactly how to format these projects and/or school work in correct ways to make their students stay active in learning and thinking to be prepared for the upcoming school year since they obviously will be teaching it for the rest of the school year. Since the projects and/or school work will be teacher-designed, their teachers can make sure it's relating to things they will eventually go more in depth with but be put into summer assignments to give some challenge or hints to students for what they're gonna go into more throughout the school year. The summer assignment from their upcoming teachers can also give the student an understanding of how the teachers teaching style is. And the expectations the teacher has since the work is given directly to the student by the teacher themselves.
Teachers can also make sure to include in their summer project some previously learned information on their summer assignments to not only see if they remember and fully learned that particular concept, but to also see where as a student they stand and if they need more help or attention with that topic. It can help a teacher get to know a student better by seeing where they stand as a student after the work they did in their previous classes/grade. Also, putting in some challenging work from the previous grade can also tell the students that the particular topic or concept could be something their upcoming teacher thinks is very important to fully understand in order to move forward, or just to understand in general. It can give the student an idea of how their teacher thinks and will be doing things from now on.
Since teachers became teachers by going to graduate school and some having other degrees included for their job, they usually have a good, if not, great understanding of good teaching skills and tactics and work format styles from their own past professors and previous teaching experiences. If they have a lot experience, it could help them gain knowledge over the time being on what worked well for them as a teacher and their students versus what didn't work. The teachers could have also been exposed to many different teaching styles and found one they believe is easiest to understand and/or thinks is easiest or their level of students to understand. Teachers can know ways to make sure projects or assignments could be organized good while also not entirely taking up a whole students summer with school work. They can organize it so it's spread out or split up into parts at a time so they don't put much pressure on the student who could feel overwhelmed by all the work they have to complete in a short amount of time. Especially if the student waits until the last minute to complete their summer assignment because they thought the assignment was really long and time consuming.
Going back to how some students could think that they could make an assignment just as equally as efficient themselves just as teachers would, teacher-designed projects would be more efficient regardless since it could be more helpful to teacher because it could be based on exactly what the teacher wants to know about what the student knows to help them succeed for the rest of the school year. And most summer assignments are different depending on the class too. If a student is going into a class they've never taken before, how could they make up a student-designed summer assignment to help them when their teacher could just give them a direct summer assignment as a jump start for the school year. Teacher-designed jump-start summer assignments are just less problematic, more reliable, and reasonable for everyone overall. | 6 | 855 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
11950E4412E5 | Summer break is the most anticipated time of year for students and teachers because it is a grace period that allows for relaxation and refreshment,of one's soul. The summer sees,the mental maturation of many students without the hindrance of a classroom,holding them back. The learning experience offered in a classroom setting is limited only to what the teacher and state permits. Students are not fully able to express their learning passions because they are forced to learn what the teacher permits. Whereas, during the summer students are free to conduct their own personal investigations on topics that peak their interest, resulting in a much maturer student by the time fall rolls around. To coincide with the theme of change and growth summer promotes, students should have the ability to choose their own projects, to further their educational experience and mental development, without the influence of a teacher.
The ability for students to choose their own summer projects would enhance their outlook on education,because they would study topics that interest them,and not teacher selected topics that would seem like a task. It is a scientifically proven fact that students retain knowledge that speaks to their own curiosities and that holds the most relevance to them. During the summer, many students travel to new places or try new things. For example, last summer I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Japan with my friends and family. While I was there I tried new cuisines,participated in festivities and I was able to learn about their history. My time in Japan, sparked an interest that I never knew I had in Japanese Geisha. I spent hours upon hours researching everything I could on them. But, my research was limited because I had to complete an AP Human Geography summer assignment administered by my future teacher. My assignment was to write a paper and create a brochure about a country. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to write all about my trip to Japan. That is until I realized the teacher had already selected countries based on our last names. I was stuck with Great Britain, a country I already had a lot of knowledge of from history class and videos. I like many students completed the assignment without gaining any new information because doing the project felt as if it were a chore. Though,I do still remember the information I learned from conducting my own research into Geisha. Many teachers would argue that a student designed summer project would lack information or seem to rushed. Which would not be the case at all. Many students would take their time in crafting a project that meets all standards and would probably write more than what is expected, due to the project peaking their interest. Teachers would in fact, see an increase of higher marks. However, if a teacher feels that the project is not up to standards they could always low score it and have the student try again. In allowing students to design their own project teachers will receive projects that exceed all requirements due to the students behind the projects being interested in what they were learning.
If students were able to create their own summer projects, the result would be a more creative,responsible and independent thinking person. Teacher designed projects allow no room for creativity nor responsibility because there are guidelines and an examples set in place by the teacher,students have to follow. Thus, resulting in one hundred or more projects that all sound the same and lack any indication of the student's voice. Teachers would argue that summer projects must be designed by them, so that all students are able to receive full credit. Which is great in theory,but not in the long run. It does not benefit the student to have a guideline or rubric, it only benefits the teacher because the projects would be easier to grade. In the future, once students start working, supervisors will not give them examples of how to properly execute a project. For example, my mother is a graphic designer who is required to come with new ideas for campaigns, brochures and websites. Her boss isn't giving her instructions on how to complete the tasks, at all. She must be responsible in using her mind to come up with creative new ideas that she thinks would satisfy her boss. However, at her old job all the graphic designers were given an example they had to follow. Which resulted in the closing of her old company because they only produced the same design. Luckily for mom, she was able to find another job fast because she was to create designs without assistance. The skills my mother used to think creatively and on her own, was taught in school. But, with teachers designing projects, students get used to a formula they have to follow and are not taking responsibility for their own thinking. Students creating their own summer projects would force students to take time and think of a project that they think would satisfy their teacher. It would stimulate new thoughts and force them to activate the create side of their brain that has not been used for a while,due to teachers constantly creating a rubric and examples for the student. The summer is a perfect opportunity for a student designed project because they would have time to develop their thoughts. Teachers shouldn't design summer projects because it aides in diminishing a student's ability to creatively solve projects.
Students should have the ability to create their own summer assignments because it would promote mental and educational growth that would otherwise be hindered in a classroom setting. Summer break allows students to embark on new experiences that can further expand their knowledge on topics that interest them. It would also allow more time for students to develop their ideas for the project. Which would strengthen their creativity and responsibility skills. Student designed projects would help grow character. | 6 | 1,000 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Black/African American | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
58DCDD1DFDDB | Summer projects are a good idea to keep student's active and learning throughout the summer. They can be beneficial for some core classes such as math, history, and english, but can also be tedious and stressful during a break that should be relaxing. Haiving good intentions in mind, teachers creating summer projects for challenging courses try to make them doable and a low intesity learning experience. Even so, it does not always seem that way to the students who dread them and push them off until the last week of summer. Summer projects should be student designed because it is the students' learning, their grade is dependent upon the work, and sometimes a teacher will present too much work.
Whether or a not a student wants to learn is completely their choice, and they will deal with the positive and negative effects. For example, some students think that having a summer project for a challenging course is pointless because they will likely just forget everything by the start of the school year. This can prove to be true, or it can lead to their struggling grades and other consequences. Very few people actually want to do work over summer break, so it is up to the student to decide what is important to them and how they want to prepare for school. Some students do well with shorter reviews, while others need long practices to relearn what they did not understand. Students should design summer projects so that they can customize them to their individual needs.
Along with the negative consequences a student must understand that their grade in the class is dependent upon how much work they do over them summer, so designing the summer project would be beneficial in helping them improve. Most classes that require summer assignments start off the in the first quarter with an assumption that they students completely understand the material that was supposed to be covered over the summer. With most classes, a student will skip around the summer asignment and just try to do the things they need to work on, jumbling knowledge up in their head as they try to organize themselves. Understanding what they need to work on, the students can design a summer projet that would help in areas of weakness in hopes of improving their school grades. This will be helpful in the future because the students can individually learn and then bring what they have learned throughout the summer back to the classroom and help others.
Lastly, in designing summer projects, teachers tend to compile a ton of needless work that none of the students do. For instance, in an AP class the teacher usually thinks that they more you practice the better you will get, which is usually true. Because of this mindset they will put together pages of practice tests, and notes for a student to complete throughout the summer causing absolute chaos and a huge amount of stress. Despite practice making perfect, no one wants to fill out papers over the summer. Since the students know their workload from other classes and what they are capable of, they can put together a decent amount of work that is not too long. If the students were to design summer projects they would be more inclined to do them because it would not be such a tedious amount of work.
Even though teachers make summer projects because they design the learning plan for the year, students would get much more out of them if they made them together because of the learning aspect that comes with it. Students should design them because they would be able to identify their weaknesses collectively, and create practices that would help them in the future. This is much better than teachers compiling useless, terrifying tests from randomn websites that are pushed off until the last week of summer. | 6 | 644 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Two or more races/Other | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
F83B719757F6 | Summer homework, one of the most scary phrases said by any teacher. Many schools and teachers require projects to be completed over the Summer to keep topics fresh in students minds while the students are on break. While this train of thought does make sense, these projects should be designed by the students. It is unreasonable to think that students should work around the teachers schedule during the summer, as if they hadn't been doing that the entire school year. Student designed assignments would allow the children to continue their learning while still being able to go on vacation and work at their jobs. It would also allow them to become more engaged with what they are learning, as they would be be in the drivers seat of their learning, making it more enjoyable. It would also let the teachers get a better understanding of their students and where their level of comprehension is with a certain topic. Student designed projects would allow for the students to learn, while also allowing them to have fun during their break.
Typically, when teachers assign homework over the break, they schedule due dates and assignments when it is beneficial to them, and not quite as much as the students. Giving the power to the students to make their own time line to help alleviate the stress of the projects, makes the assignments seem like less of a chore and helps them learn the content. A couple years ago, a teacher of mine assigned our class three books to be read over the summer. The first book had to be read by the end of June along with a quick report. Too bad for me, I was in Italy with my family, that I hadn't seen for a year, for the month. During the vacation I was barely able to spend time with my family as I was trying to read the assigned book and write a report. Because of this teacher designed summer assignment, I missed quality family time and rushed to finish my report. These restraints that wouldn't have happened if the schedule was student designed, caused me to not learn anything because I was too rushed, and also made me lose time with my family. If students were able to design a schedule for their assignments this would take away the stress that comes along with set due dates.
Another thing many teachers like to do, is to assign "busy work." Teachers assign busy work just to be able to say that the students are learning and working. During the Summer, Teachers often assign busy work to meet the schools requirement of a summer project. Often times this includes long packets, that students simply have to complete. They are extremely time consuming and non beneficial to the children. For example, let's say a science teacher requires the students to complete a project on the different bird species of the region. One student might really benefit from a book about the birds and learn from it, but another student is more of a visual learner. With a student designed project, the first student could read his book about the specific birds, while the other creates a project on the different species he sees around his neighborhood while documenting what he sees. Summer projects shouldn't all be the same, because everyone is different. If students were able to control how they were learning, everyone would be able to create a project that works best for them, which makes it easier to understand what they need to learn.
Many might think, that the teachers don't benefit from student designed projects, and this plan just reverses the stress to the teachers. But, not only would student made projects be beneficial to the children, it would also be beneficial to the teachers as well. Student made projects would allow teachers to gauge where each students level of comprehension of a certain subject/topic is and where each student needs a little extra help. Let's say a history teacher lets their students create a project about the government branches. One student writes about all of the branches of government but leaves out the fact that the President is a part of the Executive branch from their project. The teacher now knows what they should review in the upcoming school year. Since the project is in control by the students they are able to learn what they want and how they want, this freedom allows the teachers to help the students learn even further as they now have a better understanding of what the children's strengths and weaknesses are. While these students were learning about history their teacher was learning about them.
Leaving the students in charge of their summer assignments, benefits all those involved, from the teachers to the students. It lets students feel more relaxed during the break while also allowing them to learn at their own pace and more effectively. It allows the teachers to get a better understanding of where their students are so they can grow as teachers by knowing what the kids struggle with and how to improve in the future.
So, if teachers are required to give students Summer assignments, hand the keys to the kids and let them drive. | 6 | 871 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
2B225254A079 | Throughout the span of a student's 3 month summer break, it is inevitable that their acquired knowledge from the previous school year will gradually decline due to the sudden ceasing of education for this period of time. Many teachers, however, believe that it is crucial for a student to continue their studies throughout the summer break in the form of a project that will allow the student to apply their knowledge through hands-on means. However, in order to ensure that a student gains the most benefit from this summer project experience, it is only reasonable that the student design the entirety of the project because it allows them to be more engaged in it, it builds and improves a student's creativity, and it allows a teacher to understand the mind of a student and his or her preferences after a full year of solely teacher-based tests, assignments, and projects.
The mind of a student is an interesting place, and it seems as if they favor self authority rather than an authoritative figure controlling and molding them to see their own way and not the way of the student. This is also observed throughout infancy and early childhood; people of this age take a liking towards having something done their own way rather than strictly obeying a parent or guardian. Likewise, a student prefers to mold and shape their own experiment or project rather than being coerced to attend to the wants of a teacher. This notion is based on the simple fact that one favors their own choices, as this initiates a sense of freedom in a person. If a summer project assigned to a student is based on the preferences and views of a student, the student has the ability to adjust the assignment in accordance with what they want, and this allows for a higher degree of engagement in a student. For example, if a student has an interest towards environmental science and a strong dislike towards US history, a teacher-given summer project that revolves around US history and is based strictly on the teacher's guidelines is ineffective due to the fact that the student would not show a high level of interest for that teacher-based project. As a result, the student wouldn't feel the need to perform his best on the project due to his disinterest. However, if the student were to have a voice in the choosing of a project based on environmental science, the student would transfer his passion of the subject onto the project and perform his best due to his engagement in the topic of the project and the lack of control and authority given to the teacher in this case. Therefore, a student-designed project results in more engagement from the student.
One of the most striking, intriguing characteristics of a person is that of creativity. The human mind is capable of doing wonders that are unfathomable to some; however, this can only be achieved through exhibiting one's creativity. A summer project designed by a student opens many doors and directions to take; from an informative poster to a vivid animation, the possibilities are endless. These array of options force a student to utilize their creative potential. Moreover, a student-based project allows one to 'think outside the box', meaning that they are able to create a project that exceeds the standards and expectations of a teacher. Through these various options at the hands of a student, the high level of creativity has the potential to transfer onto numerous other skills and positively influence them. At an early age, it is vital to utilize creativity to the best of one's ability, as this skill will benefit a student later in their life when an occupation or professor expects that student to exemplify their creativity.
Throughout the entirety of the school year, the manner by which each test, assignment, and project is created is solely in the hands of a teacher. In other words, students do not have the ability to shift or change the perspective of a teacher and what the teacher prefers. However, a student-designed summer project is the one opportunity for a student to exhibit their power and allow a student to influence the manner by which the project is done. After a difficult, enduring school year, it is only reasonable that the student has the power to create their own means of work rather than sticking to the teacher handing out the project with strict guidelines and restrictions.
Furthermore, this opportunity for a student allows the teacher to examine the potential of a student after the school year, including the student's creativity, intelligence, and ability to create a successful project when the outcome of the project relies on the student rather than the teacher. All in all, this one opportunity for a student to play the role of a teacher is beneficial and something that should be taken advantage of.
In today's day and age, school systems around the country have shown interest towards a summer project. However, merely implementing a summer project is not enough; it is important to take into consideration the benefits of a student-designed project and allow the student to have control over an assignment rather than the teacher. This small step of changing a teacher-based project into a student-based project will result in a large step in the future of education and the success of students. | 6 | 895 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
BAB1FB7CF30F | As students are furthering their education, teachers are assigning summer assignments in order to prepare them for their upcoming class. Many believe these summer assignments should be student designed due to students' convenience, nevertheless, these summer assignments should be teacher designed because it ensures that students are prepared for the class, exposes them to new material outside of their comfort zone, and keeps students' busy throughout the break.
Before the school year ends, teachers take time out of their work day to produce a summer assignment for their students' next school year. Having teacher designed summer assignments help ensure that students are ready for the content in their upcoming year. Students are unable to know their struggles with next years content until they are actually in that class. Teachers are able to look at their lower scoring topics of the year and put a couple questions of that topic onto the summer assignment. By doing this, it will help the students learn from the past students' struggle topics. Because of the summer assignment, students are able to get a boost and learn quicker when they are being taught in class. An example of this happened during a student's sophomore year while picking their junior year classes. This particular student had to choose between academic biology or honors biology; they were unsure of which class they wanted to take. The student eventually choose honors biology in the end; she found out that about the summer assignment due the first week of classes. She struggled with converting units and was nervous the topic would be a struggle in the class. Her teacher assured her that it was normal to struggle as many other students struggled with that as well. She complained on and on until she came into class that next year and excelled due to the summer assignment she completed. If the student had designed her own summer assignment, she would not have excelled as well as she did because of the teacher designed summer assignment.
As teachers are designing their own summer assignment for their class, they put new material that the students have never been exposed to. While many express how having student designed summer assignments give students more freedom; they don't realize how most students will not go outside of their comfort zone to learn new material. If the students were to design their own summer assignment, all of the material will be information that they already knew or are most comfortable with. Teacher designed summer assignments will give a chance for the student to push themselves out of their comfort zone to learn new information that will ultimately help them with their next school year. For example, the summer before junior year, an AP Language and Composition teacher gave students an assignment that included reading or watching 15 sources. These 15 sources had to be stretched out from 5 different categories: current events, history, politics, entertainment, and documentaries. The students were forced out of their comfort zone by their teacher having their students exposed to all of the different categories. Because of the exposure, the students are aware of information they would not have known if they didn't complete the assignment. When given the chance, students will stay in their own comfort zone; which the teachers can break when there are teacher designed summer assignments.
When the teachers are trying to break students' comfort zones with the summer assignments, it gives the students a chance to think outside of the box and spend more time trying to interpret the new information. For most students, summer break is filled with eating and watching TV on their couch; if the students were given the chance to design their own assignment for the break, they would put easy information for them to complete in order for them to have more time to spend on the couch eating chips. The students would come back with their minds still tangled up with the TV and couch; if teachers were to design the assignment, the teachers would put information that they know would keep the students' minds busy and working throughout the summer. This makes it easier for students to ease back into school; rather than them still being in summer mode 3 months into the school year.
Being eased back into the school year is a thing many students struggle with. It can be fixed by having teacher designed summer assignments. It is time for all teachers to regulate teacher designed summer assignments in order to make the school year easier for all students. While many students will complain about the workload, it will pay off later when they realize the summer assignment helped them with the content of the class. They will also be interested in new topics because of the teachers input in the summer assignment to push them outside of their comfort zone. Overall, summer assignments have been proven to assist students all around when they are teacher designed. | 6 | 826 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
6AE4BFE2E5CF | A student's freedom from the limitations of the classroom's necessary rules during the summer provides new opportunities for them to learn in dynamic ways. While, in the classroom, a teacher's control of a regulated learning program is unavoidable in order to teach such a broad audience in such a short time, there are no such factors outside the classroom. The variable shape of a student's summer project provides a unique opportunity for the student's specific educational needs to be accounted for - which a teacher-designed project wouldn't be able to take advantage of. Education during the summer should be student-designed, because the student can pander to their learning style and interest, it can reinvigorate the student with a passion for learning, and it instills a certain independence from adult figures that will be necessary later in life.
Students learn in many different ways. Psychological studies have shown that there are different types of learning, from spacial to audio to visual, and students learn better in some ways than others. A rising awareness of mental health has also led to the understanding that brains process information in different ways, so students with autism or ADHD don't get the same results from the conventional classroom practices. Student-designed summer projects would be able to take all these different specifications into account when structuring the project, so visual learners could visit exhibitions while attention deficient kids could apply whatever technique they need to help them study (listening to music for some, a totally still room for others). The dynamic nature of a student-designed project would be an advantage to the kids who need to learn in a different way from the regulated, cookie-cutter methods that teachers use. As well, a student-designed project could angle more in the direction of what the student wants to learn about. Students are forced to spend hours of a day paying attention to subject matters that they don't care for in order to get a generalized education. However, the point of a summer project is education itself, not education towards the goal of a degree. Students would be able to design a project that deepens their interest in a topic, broadens their knowledge in a niche industry. Education would feel more like a hobby than a chore if a student could account for what they learn and how they want to learn it.
A student-designed summer project would be exciting for students, because the agency over their education would allow them to create highly specified and perfect learning courses for themselves. Going through a program that teaches them in a way that they both understand and enjoy would be exciting and possibly life changing. The modern school system is the most monstrous source of stress on the childhood and adolescent mind. Even though learning should be acknowledged as a privilege, wonder, and necessity, it becomes a burden to students. Between the forced socialization of the classroom environment, administrations that care more for policy than the experience of the individual, a constantly building workload, and a set of rules and grades that are constantly judging and disciplining behavior, schooling becomes nightmarish for students. The poor environment weighs so heavily on the minds of children that they often develop mental illnesses or complexes, and, in extreme cases, are driven to suicide over poor grades (which, in the grand scheme of life, should be menial). Student-designed summer projects would be a way to show students that learning can be a growing and nurturing experience, instead of a murderous one. That change in outlook in the mind of a student could make all the difference in that student's optimism, well being, and quality of life for the rest of their schooling career.
One of the main focuses of school is to prepare a student for adulthood. While school accomplishes that in many ways, it fails to teach students how to truly act independently, because their lives are always in some way being influenced by adults that hold real power. A student-designed summer project would fill this void of education, however, because it encourages students to make choices for themselves and then to carry through with those choices in order to make them a reality. Placing the responsibility of their own education on a student would encourage them to think critically and organizationally in order to create and then implement a strategy. The limitless possibilities of the project, because the design is given over to the student, would teach them how to narrow down vague concepts into specific plans. Even arranging for certain resources to be supplied, depending on the project, would show the student how to control moving parts - whether that manifests in asking their mother to buy eggs from the grocery store or in biking to the library to check out the necessary reading materials. Students are rarely prepared for the autonomy of college and the time-managing aspects of adulthood, because they're used to their parents or teachers doing things for them. Forcing a student to design a project that they then have to complete would be an introduction into the decision making of adulthood.
A student-designed summer project would help students grow, because they could change their views on the operations of education in the span of a few months. They would grow to be stronger learners, more persistent observers, and more assertive leaders. Since life is really a process of learning--whether that means learning skills, academics, or something else entirely--an easy relationship with the concept of learning is the most valuable thing for a person to develop. Student-designed projects are an easy opportunity to encourage and teach that kind of relationship, and students would develop an outlook on learning that would improve the way they interact with the world for the rest of their lives. | 6 | 961 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
7A347C69D3D1 | Summer projects are a helpful tool to use to gain insight of a student's capabilities and to prepare them for the upcoming school year. Summer projects can be used for any subject or curriculum to help a student for their next courses, whether they are college level or not. Even though summer projects are designed to help students and can be done in a number of ways, it is beneficial to have it designed based on the teacher's curriculum and needs.
Though there are different varieties of how to formulate a summer assignment, having it expand on student skills and help teach a new subject can be beneficial for the teacher. Summer assignments can be used as a review and to help teach a new subject based on what the course is. Having it designed around the teacher's curriculum and upcoming plans allows for students to get a grasp and to expect what will be taught and the level of difficulty the class will be. For example, summer assignments for math tend to review previous subjects that will be used for a harder math course and will help expand on this knowledge. A summer assignment that I have done is one for Precalculus with Trigonometry that not only reviewed previous math skills but expanded on them which helped to prepare me for the course. Students have voiced that these projects are too hard and can never finish them in time. That is why assignments are given at the beginning of summer to allow exponential time to do them and are made in a way to teach and prepare students for what they will learn in a harder course, making an easier assignment will not be beneficial for these reasons. Summer projects can be made with different variations, having them based on a teacher's plans allows for an preparedness and an expansion of skills.
Summer projects are a beneficial tool for all students and teachers, though it is helpful for a teacher in the new year to teach the subject if students have some knowledge about it. Students tend to struggle when going into a new year, especially with classes that are college leveled and they have no knowledge about it or what they may be getting into. For an AP class, it can be useful for a student to complete an assignment and have some indication of what the teacher's curriculum is and be able to prepare for the class or even drop if they feel like they may fail it. I am in college weighted class now, and if it wasn't for the summer project, I can say I could have possible failed the class if it wasn't based on the teacher's curriculum and I could've been entirely loss in the class. Students may say that a summer assignment should be fun and they should be able to pick what to do, but a student picking the assignment will not be beneficial for the teacher, it can cause a teacher to redo their year plans and may be behind on teaching and preparing a student for an upcoming exam. Though students can pick if what and if they want to do the summer project, the assignments being based on the teacher's future teaching plans will allow the student to know upcoming expectations.
Summer projects are a tool to help a teacher, having them designed around the teacher's plans will allow each teacher to know where each student is and know where to focus most in the curriculum. Every student had different previous teachers who teach in different ways and have different capabilities and extensions of learning which can cause a struggle for teachers. For example, my English summer project was to read and annotate a novel so I could write an argumentative essay on it. After turning it in, it became clear to my AP Language Arts teacher that not every student was on the same skill level for writing and that she would have to reteach the basis of writing for different formats of essays; without the summer project she would not have know this. Summer reading assignments should allow a student to choose the book so they will want to read and get the assignment done. Having this choice, students may pick a book that is not on their skill level and can hurt them when doing assignments in the class. It will ruin teacher plans on what each unit will be and what will be taught in said units. Though students are mature enough to choose their assignments and parts for the projects, teachers design them to know more about each student and will be prepared to reevaluate their lesson plans.
Summer assignments come in a variety of ways, but having them based on the teacher's units and plans for the school year will prepare both student and teacher. Summer projects can be used in any subject to benefit the teacher and allow a smooth year for easier teaching when knowing the students skill set and be prepared to change plans to accommodate these. As a student continues to move up the grades and start taking college leveled classes, it is imperative to have some incoming knowledge of the subject and to expand on previous skills. Summer projects can either be student designed or teacher designed, but in the end a student ill benefit only if the assignment is based on the teacher. | 6 | 901 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Two or more races/Other | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
045E65F65BF3 | Summer break is the declaration of emancipation that sets students free from the abyss of school. The simple thought of summer elicits euphoria: late night movie marathons, hanging out with friends during weekdays, and sleeping in without having to worry about homework or exams. Nevertheless, there is one thing that keeps students' desks occupied during this relaxing break: summer projects. The disappointment of summer assignments is universal; I experienced this unpleasant disruption of paradise in both Korea and the United States. Having to complete projects during summer is stressful and time consuming--time that could be spent having fun with friends and family. Making summer projects student-designed rather than teacher-designed would therefore enable students to use their imaginations to implement and store their knowledge in a creative way, experiment with interests and passions, and enjoy their break stress-free while promoting their intrinsic motivation at the same time.
The entire school year is based on teacher-designed learning systems. Students complete worksheets and tests created by teachers, and projects itself are also designed by teachers--students are expected to follow a specific rubric with which they are graded based on. This rigid, inflexible system of learning prohibits students from expressing their creativity in fear of getting a bad grade. Thus, summer break should be preserved as a time for students to use their own imagination and creativity to complete a project that would help them maintain what they learned during the school year. For example, a student-designed summer project for a science class would encourage a student's thinking as they would be given the freedom to choose any topic that strike their interest to experiment or research on. On the other hand, a teacher-designed science project would simply be filling out packets of worksheets from academic readings. I have experience with the latter teacher-designed project from my sophomore year of high school. For my AP Biology class, I was given summer homework for which I had to read a biology textbook and complete worksheets. Looking back, I can say that the hours of reading were not helpful to my overall success in the course because I would fill the blanks without really understanding the information, or simply copy off of my friends.
In addition to providing an opportunity for use of creativity, summer is the perfect time to experiment with your interests and learn new skills. During school, students are so focused on studying to get good grades that they do not have the time to take a second and consider what their passion is. The long summer breaks are the once-a-year chance for students to explore and discover interests. To take my experience for example, my 6th grade summer homework in Korea was to complete tasks related to music and science--no specific guidelines or rubrics provided. That summer, I went to a music camp for a month where I practiced orchestral music with fellow musicians. For the science portion, I learned how to fix a leaking toilet, install new lights on the ceiling, and change the filter of a water fountain connected to a bathroom from my dad. Not only did these tasks complete my summer project, it was beneficial to me as I developed a passion for music and also learned valuable life skills.
Above all the benefits of summer break, the number one reason why students look forward to summer is probably because of the relief of stress. Summer is a time of break from school. During summer, students spend time with friends and family to enjoy the long break before entering the stressful school year. However, the amount of summer projects given, exclusively teacher-designed, seems to negatively correlate with the amount of stress relieved during summer from the school year. If students were allowed to create their own projects, they would be less stressed as opposed to when teachers assign them projects with strict requirements no different from the standard school work. For example, rather than English teachers assigning a list of books for students to read and annotate, allowing students to choose their own books would encourage many to actually complete the task. Having the freedom to choose their own book would be appealing as they would not be restricted to the expectations of school courses. This would help to moderate the stress from the project and instead provide intrinsic motivation for the students to continue learning over the summer.
A good solution for students' hatred toward summer assignments is enabling them to create their own project. Not only do student-designed projects promote creativity and high-level thinking, they also allow students to explore their interests and acquire new abilities. Moreover, having the freedom to choose their own projects lessens the stress of having to take the time out of their break to complete an assignment as well as strengthening their intrinsic motivation. | 6 | 798 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
5F3F027AABDA | During summer break, many teachers will assign a project that is designed to give students the freedom to work at their own pace and fully discover and interesting topic. When this project is designed too specifically by the teacher, however, many students become disinterested and only do the bare minimum of work. In order to keep students motivated, and make the project beneficial in their future lives, students should be allowed to design their own project for the summer. Student-designed summer projects motivate pupils to create higher quality products, solve diverse real-world problems, and develop unique skill sets that cannot be learned inside the classroom.
On the other hand, there are many who support the use of teacher-designed summer projects, because they are more related to the subjects taught in school and thus more useful in furthering students' education. Opponents cite several studies that show students forget nearly ten percent of what they learn in school over summer break. With a teacher-led project during the break, students will be encouraged to remember and use what they have learned in school instead of letting months of hard work in school go to waste. While it is true that students will learn more of the curriculum through a teacher-designed project, a better use of the time during summer is to teach subjects not covered in the curriculum. Topics that are specific to certain career fields can only be learned through independent study, and student-led summer projects are the most effective way to encourage this kind of study.
When students are given the freedom to choose a project that plays to their interests and learning style, instead of being forced to do a certain project by their teachers, the quality of the students' projects improves dramatically. One way that this freedom encourages a higher quality project is by increasing student engagement. Modern psychological studies have shown that students are less driven to succeed at a task if they feel they are being forced to accomplish it. Students allowed to choose their own summer project would not feel forced into a specific course of action, increasing their engagement in the assignment and thus the overall quality of their final project. Designing their own project also creates a higher-quality product by adapting it to their own learning styles. Psychologists working in the field of memory have found that students often learn best in one of four learning styles: Reading/Writing, Auditory, Visual, or Kinesthetic. With the ability to adapt the requirements of the assignment to their learning styles, students would create a higher-quality product with much less unnecessary effort. Because of this increase in quality, student-designed projects are also very effective at solving real-world problems.
Projects that have been chosen and designed by students create solutions to real-world problems in ways that teacher-led ones cannot. By deciding on their own projects, students can pursue interests that lie outside of the usual subjects found in school. Summer projects designed by teachers usually focus on one of the few categories of science, english, or mathematics that schools teach. Students who are provided the opportunity to design a project on their own will be able to pursue fields of study that are not touched on by schools, gaining knowledge in many other diverse areas of study. In addition, the ability to choose their own projects allow students to tackle problems that face our world today with their own unique solutions. As one example of this, a team of students who chose their own project for science class was able to create groundbreaking new technology for removing floating debris from the ocean, which has the potential to improve the lives of billions of people who depend on the health of the ocean to survive. If more students could pursue their interests in the same way that this team did, many new solutions to today's problems would emerge. In addition, students who pursue their own interests in this way are also much more prepared for their chosen careers in the future.
Student-designed projects develop unique skills in students that are not learned through teacher-led study. One skill that independent projects teach is the ability to do creative, independent work. As adults, many find that leadership positions in the workplace require some degree of creativity, and tasks must often be completed with little input from those higher in the chain of authority. By allowing students to produce their own ideas and work on their own schedule, rather than assigning students ideas and schedules, student-led projects encourage the traits that are necessary for any productive member of society. In giving students the independence to try out their own ideas, these projects also allow students to learn skills that are not covered by the main subjects of traditional schooling. For example, a student interested in becoming a veterinarian would not learn very much about his or her desired career through the core classes, but would learn a great deal through a project requiring him or her to study animals. Student-designed projects, therefore, are much more effective than teacher-designed ones when it comes to preparing students for their future professions, and for their future lives as a whole.
When students are presented the opportunity to design their own summer projects, they become motivated to improve the quality of their work, make a lasting impact on the real world, and develop unique skills that can aid them in future careers. When students are given the freedom to choose who they want to be early on in their lives, they become better equipped in the future to make their dreams a reality. In order to produce students who are skilled, effective, and motivated to succeed, teachers should allow their students to choose what subjects they would like to explore during the summer. | 6 | 958 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Two or more races/Other | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
140434C2B180 | Summer break is a time period of relaxation for students who have worked hard all year in school. Students tend to go on vacations where they forget everything they learned throughout the year. This is why teachers assign summer projects to make sure that their students are still learning and that they still stay engaged with academics on their breaks. As a high school student myself, I dread summer projects for the reason of having to complete school work whilst on vacation. When my teacher assigns a summer project, it is usually something that is boring and not engaging with other students. Student-designed summer projects have a completely different approach to them. When students can design their own summer projects, it encourages creativity and individuality from the student, it will encourage students to engage with other classmates and it creates a wide range of available topics to learn about.
When summer projects are student-designed, it allows students to portray their creativity and individuality. When a teacher assigns a project that forces a student to do a task that is not appealing to them, they do not put in their best effort and they do not learn anything from it. For example, when a teacher asks their students to read a book and write an essay on it, students will not be inclined to complete it and will put it off until the end of summer. If the project was student-designed, the student could read the book of their choice and show their understanding of it in many ways. They could show off their creativity by creating something no other students has created, they can portray their own liking and not dread doing it like many students do with teacher-designed projects. Teachers should encourage individuality from their students and they can do this by creating student-designed summer projects.
Summer can be about engaging with friends and family and student-designed summer projects promote that. Students can engage with others to work on a project of their own liking. Engaging with other classmates helps with communication skills,leadership skills and other character traits that can help a student develop academically outside of school. Working with other students is not a necessity for summer-designed projects, where working individually has its own pros as mentioned before. This shows the effectiveness of student-designed projects as both methods of learning are both engaging and academic. Teacher-designed projects can also have students work with each other and promote the engagement with other students, however, they do not allow students to use their own liking and interests as freely when working with others. Student-designed summer projects would allow any person to work with anyone based off their interests which would most effectively help their learning experience.
Learning is meant to be engaging and interesting and student-designed projects encourages this type of learning. With student-designed summer projects, the topics that can be discussed and learned about are endless. The student has the wide range of topics they can learn about and portray their learning in a creative way so that it is an engaging and interesting experience for the student. Depending on the subject, the student can use his hobbies to create something that appeals to their interests so that they're using this experience to actually learn in an academic manner. Teacher-designed summer projects are usually limited to a small range of possibilities in terms of topics where the student is forced to learn about something unappealing which makes the learning expirecne ineffective for the students, where as student-designed projects let the students use their own interests to create a topic in which they think will most effectively complete the project
During summer break, students tend to take their mind off of academics and they forget about most of the things they learned about in the year prior. Summer projects help students engage with academics during the long break so that they are ready to come back to school once the time comes. Summer projects can be tedious for students because of the way that they are designed by teachers. Student-designed projects take away the forced work that teachers put upon their students and create an enjoyable yet effective learning experience. Student-designed summer projects can help students engage with classmates, encourage creativity and individuality and creates a wide range of discusable topics. Student-designed projects make the summer expirecne a more enjoyable time by letting the students create a project based on their own experiences and liking and not forcing them to complete tedious tasks. | 6 | 743 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
B915519F4D28 | The thought of summer brings out joyous feelings; people usually think of summer as vacations, time to hang out with friends, explore new hobbies, relax, etc. When students are asked to describe summer, one of the last things they would describe it as is a time to do school projects since most students actually picture it as a break from stressful schoolwork. School is the last thing on their mind throughout summer, which could cause students to put off their projects to the side to do last minute and think of it as a chore, rather than something that is enjoyable or fun to complete. However, this image can be changed and summer projects can be turned into something that students are motivated to do. If summer projects were student-designed rather than teacher-designed, it could be more catered to what students' interests and likes, students could be more motivated to complete them, and they would be less likely to procrastinate on them.
Student-designed summer projects would have more of what students want since it would be more catered to what they like. Students know each others' needs and what they enjoy--they can agree on what could be considered a fun project and what they consider to be stress-inducing project. With student-designed summer projects, more of a students' likes would be covered, which means it would be more enjoyable for them to work on it over the summer. With more of their interests in a project and with a project they deem as fun--or any type of work at all--students would be more likely to spend more time and energy on it. With teacher-designed summer projects, less interests could be covered, leading to students not putting as much into it as they would if it was student-designed. With student-designed summer projects, these would appeal more to them than a teacher-designed project would, because, as aforementioned, students know what students want to see in projects. When summer projects are student-designed instead of teacher-designed, it would be more catered to what they want and with their interests--which can bring many great benefits to students while working on them.
With more summer projects catered to students, students would be more motivated to complete these projects. They would be eager to work on these projects. Teachers do not understand what students want since they are from different generations, they do not know the current trends or hobbies that they enjoy as much as a student would know. When these projects are designed from people their own age, they know what each other usually like or enjoy. Their interests being addressed would give them a motivation to complete these summer projects, and not only that, but they would genuinely enjoy doing them and most likely want to do them. With motivation, students are able to produce better work. When people are less motivated to complete assignments, they usually put it off to the side or are not able to work as efficiently on it. When students are given projects that they genuinely like, they would stay on track and possibly even go out of their way to go above and beyond from what is asked of them and try and learn more about it on their own. Motivation can boost students to do better, so when summer projects appeal to them more, they would be more motivated to learn more and improve.
Procrastination is a common theme throughout students, but can be helped if they are assigned something they like to do. With student-designed projects, since students would be more motivated and have more of their interests in them, which would lead them to be less likely to procrastinate. With teacher-designed projects, they would be more likely to procrastinate since it might not cover things that a student wants to see as much as a student-designed project. That could lead to the student retaining less knowledge and learning less from the project, which is the opposite of what it is intended to do. When students do not procrastinate and leave it last minute, they are able to spend more time on a project and learn more from it. They would not view these projects as a chore or as something that they have to get done before summer ends. Not only that, but they would be able to work more efficiently on it with more time spent. Others might also claim that a teacher-designed project would be more effective than a student-designed one since a teacher could have more experiences than a student and a teacher knows the materials more; however, a student-designed summer project would be formated more familiarly for students. Students know how each other work, and each generation differs from one another. Their projects would cater to their generation more and include things that they like to work on. Also, others could argue that some would still procrastinate and push it off to the side anyways, regardless of it being teacher-designed or student-designed. However, not all solutions can solve a hundred percent of the issue at hand but having student-designed projects could still solve the majority of the problems a teacher-designed project produces. So student-designed projects better address the large issue of procrastination among the youth--more than a teacher-designed project--and help students be able to grasp more of the concepts being taught and learn and retain more from these projects.
In conclusion, a student designed summer project would be the most efficient way for students to be able to continue learning throughout their summer break, and not only that, but have a project that contains their interests which can lead to having motivation to complete them and not procrastinate on. This would be the most efficient way since it is catered to what they want since students know what each other want best. The image of summer being fun would continue to exist and these summer projects would be enjoyable to complete and look forward to. | 6 | 988 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
04EB912FE84F | As a child, I, as well as most others, desperately counted the days until summer break. In the classroom, we had a bright, beach themed poster board with the school days remaining plastered in big, bold letters in the middle. On my sports teams, we always had fun and easy practices during the last week of school. I always looked forward to summer, especially when everyone else was so enthusiastic about it. However, this changed as I got older when I was introduced to summer assignments. They felt like the exact opposite of summer. They were boring and restrictive, so I always procrastinated doing them until the very end. Today, many school systems are looking to implement summer projects, as they can help tackle the lost and wasted time during the summer. Simultaneously, it is important that schools don't impose overly restrictive projects that take away what it means to be on summer break. One solution to this is to implement student-designed projects. These allow students to create what they want their summer project to be. Although many may say teacher-designed summer projects better preserve the students' learning, student-designed projects are overall superior because they give more freedom, creativity, and flexibility for the students during their summer break.
Student-designed summer projects are a phenomenal chance to give students more freedom and let them be creative. In school, students have very few opportunities to express their creativity, so summer break is seen by many as a chance to break away from overly structured school days. Forcing students to follow a teacher-designed project will only remove its specialty, and further limit chances students have to be creative. On the other hand, student-designed projects could be the spark needed by some to make use of their summer. Additionally, if students feel the teacher-designed projects were too restrictive, there is a chance they would put as little effort into them as possible, or forgo them entirely. If this happens, it is a waste of time for both the student and the teacher. In my own experience, I have seen that most summer assignments had very little or no impact on my grade, so it often made far more sense not to do them. However, when teachers did try to tie these assignments to a grade, lots of students and parents complained. Whereas, when students are able to design a project about something they are passionate about, this is far less likely to happen, and could even lead to further interest about that topic.
Another important aspect of summer projects is the various time restraints every student has. Students may have sports, vacations, jobs, and many other activities. Designing a project which accommodates everyone's complex and ever-changing needs can be impossible. By allowing students to design the project, much of this problem is eliminated. They know the time they have better than anyone else, so they can design a project which fits far better to their own schedule. If students were able to design their own projects, they could even tie it into the activities they're already doing. This way, they're able to gain the benefits of a summer project, while not having to change much about their summer. Not having enough time is another reason why some students may not do their summer project, but can have other, additional, consequences. With a teacher-designed project, if students don't have the time to complete it, they may look towards cheating off of others, since everyone is following the same project. This not only negates any benefits of a summer project, but can also lead to some downsides. If a student cheats on a summer project because they didn't have the time to do it, they may feel encouraged to cheat again in the future, even if they wouldn't have otherwise. With a student-designed project, cheating is much less of a problem. Not only are there far fewer reasons to cheat, but it's much harder to as well, since every student has their own project, they can't simply copy off of what someone else has done.
Many people may say that teacher-designed projects would be far better to maintain students' learning and allow them to learn new things, but this is untrue. It is far easier for students to learn new things if it's about a topic they're interested about; whereas, students may not absorb any knowledge about a topic they have no interest in. Even if student-designed projects were worse for learning, their other benefits still outweigh their downsides. Student-designed projects are a great way to develop creativity, and they let students with naturally high creativity use it, which they aren't given many chances to in school. Student-designed projects are also much better for students' time constraints, which will encourage more students to do the project.
As more school systems begin to adopt summer projects, it is crucial that these projects are student-designed. Summer projects are important to build and preserve learning from throughout the year, but are extremely limiting on students freedom, creativity, and flexibility. By giving students the capability to design their own projects, it restores much of what is lost by giving them summer work. Student-designed projects also help to avoid many of the possible downsides of teacher-designed ones. Because of the lack of freedom and the inability to tailor a project to everyone schedule, teacher-designed projects can often lead to students cheating, or not doing the work at all. By putting students in the driver's seat of their own project, they can find a project that is enjoyable and encourages themselves to do it. By using student-designed projects, schools can obtain the needed balanced between a useful summer and an enjoyable one. | 6 | 944 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
C7FA88E9DF3B | Have you ever been assigned a project that you did not want to work on? This regularly happens to many students, due to a variety of reasons. Although summer projects are slightly different than those assigned during the school year, they cause similar problems. The student might have been lazy, did not have enough time to work on the project, or the topic did not interest them. While schools cannot help much with the former two reasons, they can with the latter reason. Teacher-designed projects can be biased, affecting the student's ability to gain a wide understanding of a topic. Additionally, teachers tend to assign projects on topics that students do not see much importance in, as the topic does not seem to affect the student in any way. For these reasons, summer projects should be student-designed to allow students to be more passionate about the project, be creative, and be more self-reliable.
Student-designed projects allow students to be passionate about the topic they are working on, causing them to work efficiently. When students are assigned teacher-designed projects, they are not usually excited to work on the assignment. Additionally, they do not value it as important, leaving the work until the last minute. For example, in 7th grade, my Life Science class was assigned a project about the deer population in Virginia. Many of the students did not actively work on the project, as they found the topic boring. Because they did not understand the relevance of the topic, the students were not passionate about the project. An independent project assigned in my AP Lang class, however, had a different result. The assignment was to write a research paper on a social issue that interested us. Because students were able to write about an issue that interests them, they actively worked on the project. Being passionate about a project also affects a student's performance in class. For example, because the majority of the class was not passionate about the deer project, they did not do well on it. However, on the AP Lang assignment, the majority of the class did well on related assignments, as they were passionate about the projects they worked on.
Summer projects designed by students allow for creativity. Students are able to express themselves, as they are not restricted by strict guidelines the way they are with teacher-designed projects. Because of this reason, students are more likely to actively work on the project and put in more effort. For example, my AOS biology class was assigned a project to research and present information about a group of proteins. We were allowed to present this information in any way we wanted, allowing for creativity. The majority of the students were very excited to work on the project, as they thought of fun ways to present their information. Some students created songs to relay their information, whereas others made fun videos to do so. A few students even baked cakes to provide information about their proteins. Each student actively worked on their project and put in effort to make sure it was done well. The element of creativity allowed the students to see the assignment as a fun project, rather than as a boring task. Because the majority of the students worked hard on the project, they did well on it. Furthermore, they effectively retained the information they researched, allowing them to do well on the corresponding test.
By allowing projects to be student-designed, schools allow students to develop a sense of self-reliance. This is because the students have to conduct their own research in order to find a topic that interests them, rather than just receive a topic from the teacher. For example, in elementary school, students come up with their own experiments to test, after which they present their findings at the science fair. By doing so, students learn how to depend on themselves to find information. Similarly, sophomores at the Generic_School take a research class. They work on a wide variety of projects that are mostly assigned by teachers, but towards the end of the year, they must come up with an independent research project that they will work on in their junior year. In order to choose their project, students have to conduct extensive research to understand the topic, as their project cannot have been done before. Additionally, they have to continue conducting research in junior year to allow for a wider understanding of the topic. This allows the students to be self-reliant, as they know more about their project than their teacher, who acts as a mentor. Self-reliance is a very important skill that helps people succeed in the community and workplace when they become an adult, so it is important to establish the skill early on.
Some people may believe that allowing students to design their own projects creates more work for teachers, putting stress on them. The teachers cannot have a uniform grading rubric and must have enough background knowledge on each student's topic in order to grade them fairly. However, by allowing summer projects to be student-designed, teachers do not have to come up with a topic themselves. Additionally, they are exposed to a wide variety of projects, allowing them to be more interested in the presented material. This allows teachers to be more likely to grade the projects fairly, as they do not have to repeatedly look at the same information.
In conclusion, self-designed projects allow students to be passionate about the topic, resulting in the creation of better projects. Students can demonstrate their creativity, allowing them to effectively retain the learned information. They also become more self-reliant, which will help them when they get a job. Rather than assigning teacher-designed projects over the summer, schools should assign student-designed projects to stimulate learning, as well as shape students to gain skills that will help them succeed when they become an adult. | 6 | 977 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
5484CC372842 | Summer break is that time of the year where most students look forward to. Many are eager to sit back and relax, or enjoy their time with friends and family. Whatever it is, school is the last thing on their mind. It's the last thing on my mind too. Although that isn't always the case, there is always that one teacher that assigns projects over break. Summer projects are required through some schools to preserve their learning onto the next year. To make it more enjoyable, I believe that these summer projects should at least be student-designed for various reasons.
Summer break is the time where most students proceed to pursue hobbies, enjoy lifes moments, spend time with people that are cared about, and make memorial memories. Over break, students tend to discover their true passions and focus on what drives their interest. With projects being assigned, that can be tough and build a wedge between the situation. If summer projects were to be student-designed however, students can make it more personalized and just have fun with it. I believe making the summer projects more personalized to students, can really ease the stress and make it more enjoyable. Overall, it is summer break. As a student myself, a time where this applied to me was in the summer of my freshman year. My teacher had assigned a summer project where we had to determine the area of different shapes in any form. Art is a huge passion of mine and I wanted to engage more of it into my summer. I decided to paint an abstract painting with a variety of shapes; circles, triangles, squares, you name it. It turned out beautiful, I really enjoyed spending my time on something that was educating and delightful. Engaging learning with enjoyable hobbies can be beneficial for the teachers' satisfactory and the students.
For most people, finding hobbies that are interesting can be challenging. Knowing myself, I need a sense of direction to know what my interests. It takes a bit of courage to try something new and actually enjoy it. Student designed school projects can really help a student find his/her passions and learn something new along the way. An example of this is Generic_Name. When Generic_Name was younger, she stayed in a hostel and went to an all girls catholic school. Although the classes were given to her and the staff controlled her schedule, she found a way to have a passion for computers. Her summer assignment was to find am interest to occupy her for the upcoming summer. She began to observe her fathers work and grew an interest for how computers work. Today, she works in the computer coding world and enjoys every second of it. With enough interest, there is always something new just waiting to be discovered, who knows maybe you'll learn something new on the way. Student designed school projects can help one into discovering a new passion.
Although students might think making school projects student-designed is a good idea, teachers might not agree. Some students could take this their advantage, by making the project as simple and pointless as they want. This could necessarily not reach the teachers standards and question if the student even learned anything at all. Although this could be case, summer projects are indeed just summer projects and should not be taken seriously. Summer should be the time where students can have the choice of doing what they want. If projects are mandatory for teachers, then it can be arranged, but it shouldn't put unnecessary stress on students. Especially during summer break. Teachers should observe how well the student comes up with ideas and how well they execute their projects, it's more exciting that way.
Having being said, student designed projects are better for both the student and the teacher. It allows students to have more freedom and personalize their studies with their occupation. Teachers will also have the chance to determine the students personality and see what the student is like. It shows how bright a student's mind can be and how well their work ethics are. Teachers should give students a chance to show off themselves and appreciate for what they are able to achieve in. It can also be a fun learning experience for many. Not only will these student-designed projects continue their learning throughout break, it will also preserve any sort of creativity a student could withhold. | 6 | 741 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
95B8CF43E670 | Summer projects have become a cultural norm within the school system. These projects have been created and mandated by the teachers. It can be vigorous and also very flexible depending on the teachers idea of what they believe you should do. Summer projects should be student designed because it allows kids to have more freedom, it keeps the students interested in their project, and allows for more flexibility within their project.
Summer projects should be student designed because it allows kids to have more freedom. Generic_Name, a student at Generic_School, completes vigorous sports and extra curricular activities during summer and, also has 5 different classes with summer assignments. Generic_Name has designed a workload that he can complete while leaving free time but, his teachers have designed summer projects that completely wipe out all his free time. Generic_Name should be able to design a summer project that works for his schedule and, should not be told by his teachers what to do on his only long term break from those teachers. Another student, named Generic_Name, wishes to be engaged during her time off but does not want the burden of having her summer break destroyed by teachers who try to maximize their workload during the time off. She wants to be able to create a project that minimizes her time learning but that keeps her engaged during the break so that she is ready to come back. By mandating what students do outside of school limits their freedom during a time where they should be on a break from school; This totally destroys the whole idea of summer being a break and a time to de-stress by constantly stressing students to finish summer projects. Students want freedom during the summer, this is why projects should be student designed.
Also, summer projects should be student designed because it keeps the students interested in their project. A 12th grade student, named Generic_Name, is being told by his teacher that he must read the book, the odyssey, during his summer break but, Generic_Name has no interest in that book what so ever. Students should have the ability to chose which book they read, if any. If a teacher tells a student they must read a novel over summer, they can choose a book that interests them so it makes it easier and, ultimately more fun for the student. A 9th grader, named Generic_Name is required to complete an 100 question math summer packet during her time off. She has AD/HD and struggles to stay focused for long periods of time, especially in things that do not interest her. By allowing her to complete online practice using a math app, it will keep her engaged and will allow her to make sure she is doing these problems correctly. Teachers mandating what students do and how they do it may interest the teacher but, a majority of the time, will bore the student and can actually lead to a regression in their skills. If students can design their own summer project that keeps them interested, it ultimately leads to more participation and effectiveness among students.
Furthermore, Summer projects should be student designed because it allows for more flexibility within their project. For example, Generic_Name, a student athlete, plays on one of the highest ranked women's lacrosse teams in the country, she has practice and workouts during the weekdays and a tournament every single weekend. Generic_Name was assigned a 400 page book to read but can never find the time nor the energy to read that much. By allowing her to chose, for example, an 150 page book, she can find enough time and energy to stay focused, and be able to complete the book. If students are not allowed the ability to design their projects it tends to become more of a pain to the student, rather than help. It tends to stress students more, especially those with vigorous schedules, during a time created for students to take a break. An 11th grade Spanish teacher, Generic_Name, sends out a summer assignment that requires students to go out and use Spanish in the real world. What would be considered to most students as an easy task, some students are not comfortable with this and would rather do book work at home where they feel more comfortable. A one size fits all plan does not work for every student, some need hands on learning, some need to listen to instruction and be taught directly to, and some students need to read and do book work. The idea that one assignment will fit every students needs and allow them to complete it quickly and efficiently will quite frankly never work. This type of flexibility is what students need out of summer projects and, they should be designed by the students.
Summer projects should be student designed because it allows kids to have more freedom, it keeps the students interested in their project, and allows for more flexibility within their project. Every student is a different learner with different advantages and disadvantages and, projects should be made to meet those students needs or they will either not complete it, or complete it while gaining nothing from it. Students know what they need and should not be completely controlled by teachers who think they know whats best for them. The student knows themselves better than anyone else in the world so they should be able to design their own summer projects. | 6 | 900 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
F81D76345F2D | Have you ever wondered, why students stress themselves up during their summer vacations? Why sometimes they refuse to interact with people around them? Well, the reason of this issue is the "teacher-designed projects." Projects are extremely beneficial and they can be in different forms like posters, presentations, models, videos, etc. Projects are very profitable, especially, in the long summer vacations because these introduces new ideas to students. Researching and building a project should both be interesting to students because then students will place their full effort, due to their enthusiasm. However, some schools require students to complete the teacher-designed projects. This means that students have to complete the teacher's-designed projects. What if the project is about the topic which students do not like to study about? Their lack of interest could lead them towards learning nothing about the specific topic. I believe, that schools must require students to complete summer projects of their own preference to assure they continue learning because it can help students in becoming more knowledgeable about the topic and can assist them in achieving their goals.
The primary reason that why students should be allowed to have their own-designed projects is that it helps them to become more knowledgeable about the particular topic. One example of the benefits of student-designed projects is that the topic which interests them more, they are willing to put their 100% effort in researching and understanding about the topic. For instance, a student have interests in researching about the bad effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun on people. The student who enjoys this topic would not only research about the bad effects of these rays on people, but also would be automatically encouraged to go more dense to its roots, such as, effects on aquatic wildlife, atmosphere, etc. Another example of the benefits of student-designed projects is that the students can teach others about what they have learned through their research. Not everyone is aware about the bad effects of ultraviolet rays. So, the student who is already acquainted with this topic can detail the adverse impacts of these rays to his/her youngsters and even elders. Then the society of ours will also be in less danger because if everyone is aware about the adverse effects of these rays, people will be more cautious and apply precautions to stay healthy. Based on this evidence, schools should require students to complete their own-designed project, as it helps them in becoming more knowledgeable.
Another reason of why schools should require students to complete summer projects of their own choice is that it is helpful in achieving their goals through the research about their interests. All the research that the project requires to have, might convey students to think and choose their particular career path. Teenagers often over think about their future jobs and overwhelm themselves. They might consider going into the field about which they are unaware of. This makes them change their minds swiftly, from one career to another. The shifting of minds affects students when they graduate from their schools, and are unclear about their careers. But, the students which have already researched about the jobs for their careers and have made projects on their interests, they become more successful in their lives. This is because, research made them more aware about the positives and negatives of the specific careers. Another example of the benefit of the student-designed project is that the students who already researched their fields for their careers, will have the potential to make their wishes come true. Successful career paths always provide the good amount of salary. Students can use their this capital to buy houses, cars, etc. Based on these proofs, the students through their own designed projects, can choose a career path that suits them well and can fulfill their dreams.
While the above specific examples shows that the schools should require the students to design their own preferred summer projects, one can argue otherwise. Some people might argue that the teachers are more knowledgeable about what the students should be learning about. That without the teacher's directions, the students will get off task. But, what if the teacher assigns the project about Mahatma Gandhi's struggles in his life? Students even if they lack interest in this topic, have to complete the project anyway. Lacking interests in a specific topic also lead students to a stage where they cannot contribute their 100% to their projects because this is what they don't have their interests in. Therefore, from their little amount of effort, they will not be able to obtain good amount of scores. Whereas, if the teachers themselves asks students to complete their own designed projects, students will never hesitate to provide their 100% effort to the project. This is so because, this would be about something they want to study more and research on. The more effort students put into their projects, the more better they score.
In conclusion, I believe that the schools should require the summer projects to be student-designed and not to be teacher-designed because this helps the students to obtain more knowledge about the topic they enjoy.
Student-designed projects captivates more attention of the students to research deeper and deeper. This eventually helps the students to get to know about that topic from its roots. The idea of Student-designed projects also assists students to achieve their goals, which eventually make them successful in their lives. Through much research, a certain field might get more interesting to a student than before. They might end up choosing that career. That is why, I believe that the schools should require students to design their own-designed projects. | 6 | 938 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
C1DA9C882822 | Schools give many projects and homework assignments to assure the student knows the information, and it also gives them a chance to learn something new. Schools give projects during spring break, winter break, and even our longest break during the summer. Many of these projects are made or designed by a teacher, while some have a basic outline and are mostly designed by the students. Projects should be designed mostly by the students, and many agree with this statement as well.
Summer break projects should be mostly designed by the student because this makes the students strengths and weaknesses easier to indicate. This allows the teacher to understand what his/her students need help with. They can guide the student on how to perfect their strengths and improve on their weaknesses. An example of this would be if a student is bad at giving examples in essays. If the student is given an essay on "What was the most impactful battle of WWII" , they have many examples to choose from and many reasons those examples would be chosen. But if the student is given an essay on "Why should video cameras be used" , their mediocre examples will be easier to notice as not as many facts back up the opinions on if cameras should be used or not. Some may say since student-designed essays show the students flaws, their flaws could cause them to get a poor grade. While this is true in some cases, it is better the student's teacher see his/her mistakes now and help them improve on them, rather than before the big test. Although this is indeed one, there are many more examples of why summer projects should be student-designed.
Summer break projects should be mostly designed by the student because this allows more creative freedom and ideas on the essay/project. A student has free range to think of new ideas if they are not put on a metaphorical leash by the teacher. They can explore new ideas which in turn could make their essay much better and even teach the teacher something they never knew before. A satisfactory example of this would be if the teacher assigned an essay where the student could write about whatever they want, but they had to relate it to racism. The student could write about slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and they could even write about hip hop. But if the teacher tells the student to write an essay about " Why we read books" or " Why we eat food" the students will all have similar responses. They will say something along the lines of " We read books for the knowledge and information they give us" or " We eat food because food is a necessity our body needs to function properly". These essays/projects are very linear and do not bring anything creative to the table. A few may say that allowing full creative freedom on essays will cause students to drift away from the central idea of the essay and dive into personal opinion. Of course it is inevitable this will happen to some, good writers will know to not do this and will stay on the topic of their essay, while the writers who went astray will get some help from their teachers on how to improve that.
Summer break projects should be mostly designed by students because this will encourage the student to do better on their essays/projects. Allowing freedom on a project allows the students to try as hard as they possibly can, while if they were given a project on something that disinterests them, they will only do what is required. If a student that is a fan of Lil Uzi Vert(rapper) is given a project on " The Evolution of Classical Music" , they are only going to do the minimum requirements of that project, while if they are given a project on Effect of Old Rap on New Hip Hop" , they will be more interested as it relates to something they hold dear. Some people may say that the students should already be encouraged to do the project since it is an important grade at the beginning of your school year, which is true, but some students need to be motivated in order to want to go the extra mile, and doing a project on one of your favorite artists is the right motivation.
Summer break projects seem to have a negative vibe around them. Not many want to do them, and some think we shouldn't have them, but if we are going to have to do a project over the summer it should be about something e like or something we hold dear. Our families, our friends, our hobbies, our music taste, etc. Doing summer break projects on things that relates to us encourages us to do better, shows our flaws, and gives us freedom to run wild. | 6 | 823 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
9A165155AC0C | Summer Projects for school should be Teacher-designed because it will show students the expectations for the course, helps them learn the specific material that is needed, and keeps students on track. The main part of summer projects is to assure that students continue their learning process. While schools have long breaks at a time, it is difficult to come back and still remember all of the things that was taught before being let out for a long amount of time. Teachers and student both struggle to jump back into the schedule of going to school each day. Many students have a hard time maintaining everything after being a way and not looking at the material for a while. Some schools require students to complete assignments or projects during a long period break to maintain their learning abilities, but if students are not given the right objective, then they are bound to not learn anything. There are many examples on why summer projects should be teacher-designed.
First, students need expectations and requirements for school projects because it shows them what the teacher will be looking for while grading. This can relate back to whenever a teacher is gone for a period of time or is absent for the day and tells the students what is expected of them while the teacher is away. Having expectations and requirements for a project makes sure that the student puts in effort and that the assignment is detailed with the right topics. While students are working on an assignment, and essay, or a project, they do tend to lead their way off topic and start to write about unnecessary details. Having a list or a checklist of things that are expected of each student helps them know what needs to be on it and it is easier to follow.
Most students have said that they prefer checklist and requirements than anything else because it is helpful to check off instructions and make sure that everything that is needed is on the assignment.
Next, having students keep the learning process going during the summer with help their growing minds, but if they are not given the right topics and material then they will be confused and would have not learned a single new thing. With projects, students are suppose to make the assignment talk and discuss a main point of a topic. Teachers usually make projects as specific as possible, if the student was told to do it themselves then it would be easy for them to not go into detail and specifics about anything. In school, most topics have a huge variety of smaller details and information that would not be a main point in assignments and projects. Students would have to follow what the teacher wants to make sure that they do not write down the wrong information. Most of the time, when a teacher designs a project, they usually give a variety of tools and websites to go to if they need more information on something. Those websites and tools will give the specific examples and info on what the topic is based on and it will help the students have a better knowledge of the main point.
Lastly, after focusing on one main topic for a long time, students tend to get bored and not try as hard as they should. Some students have a hard time staying on track while doing something school related on their own, they usually need some guidance to follow and go by. If summer projects were student-designed, the students would not be able to follow what they need to do and would not have any rules to go by. Different students have different ways of learning, some like to do hands on activities or web quests to learn, others just prefer to write down everything that they learn as notes. A teacher-designed project can give different ways of portraying the material. A teacher-designed project will also make students be on time with the assignment. If a teacher assigns a summer project, they will most likely attach when specific things are due at what time, for example: the essay portion will be due in 2 weeks, the rough draft is due in 1 week, the poster with the end result is due the first day of school. Most big projects that take a while to finish will have smaller tasks to finish throughout of period before it is due. Teachers can tell if students are on the right track if they assign things during the process of working on the project.
In other words, having a student designed summer project is not a great idea. If students made the project by themselves, the teacher could become confused while trying to figure out the main topic. Students would not follow any sort of guideline unless a teacher attaches it to the assignment. If the project was not designed by a teacher, then the student making it would not be great with knowing when to put deadlines and they would not be sure with what to put on the project. The summer project will most likely be done much sooner because made it clear when things will be due. If it was made by a student, they will more likely slack off and be lazy with portraying the assignment. A teacher-designed summer project would be the most efficient way to stay on track with deadlines, to know what to talk about or not, and it shows the requirements and expectations that the teacher wants to see. | 6 | 926 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
96B863B0B999 | Summer is a time for student to have a long deserved break from school. During this time, however, some students become unable to no longer retain their knowledge and have to recover prior knowledge starting the next school year. To compensate, some schools assign summer projects for the students to be proactively accomplishing. Whether it be a project that they get to design or a teacher designs for them. The main argument here is "what is better" for the learning experience of the student. A project created and designed by a student over the summer is better than a teacher designed one because the project will be more engaging for the student, the student will have full control, and the student will have easier time learning or their own accord.
A student who designs their own summer project will have a engaging experience with their project. As a student, the ability for a project to be fun to do and still be a good learning experience is number one. Having your own project to do gives you the sense that you know what you're capable of accomplishing. It will be engaging because student will get to interact in their own methods and ways. Learning in this way helps students to retain information and maybe learn about something they may have never thought about. An engaging project made by the students will also give the students a means of commitment to do the project if it is fun to do and is beneficial for them academically. Engagement in a project is the best way for a students to want to be able to drive their passion in learning forward, without the hassle of abiding by the teacher's rules and regulation of the project. Giving students the right to build their own project makes the learning part fun and engaging for the students, which will overall provide them with possibly of better academic achievement and retention.
Students with full control their project will be able to make it a project they will be proud of. Full control means that students will be able to go though the steps of conception, planning/design, making/prototyping, and possibly revision on their own. Giving students the leveraging control, builds the sense that they understand the topic the most and that they should be able to complete the project under their own goals and ideas. This helps to build skills in learning and retaining information taught. With full control, they will also have the necessary time to complete their project on their own without the overlooking burden of a teacher telling them what to do exactly. This removes the unnecessary stress of designing a project to meet someone else's goals and hoping that it will meet their specifications. A student, given this freedom of choice and design, will be able to learn more about something that they enjoy learning about, it makes the overall experience better for them and also builds their design processes to be better efficient and less costly to them. These skills learned from being in full control of a major project can be used in schools and possibly be used later in the workplace or any other setting that puts them under control of a project.
The last argument is that students will have an easier time of learning when they get to make it. Without the teacher being in the way, not only will the student be hopefully, less stressed, but also put them in charge of learning. Being able to self pace yourself, will help to slowly build up information into your mind and retain that information for longer when you may have to use it one day in the near future. Without the regulations of an authoritative teacher, students build projects under their ideas. As long as the project is providing the student with educational content that they will learn from, they will be able to enjoy it, which removes the boring parts of learning about a certain subject and instead, make it fun to learn about and understand. Students building up the knowledge slowly by themselves, will slowly integrate the information into their mind slowly, without overwhelming students with complex research projects or projects dealing with hard to reach goals assigned by the teacher. A student who learns by themselves may be smarter and less worried by the goals of a project than a student who has to follow the rules and regulations word for word from the teacher. Students that get to design the projects themselves will overall have an easier time understanding and learning.
A couple of main arguments that may arise when students get to make their own summer projects is that they may not be learning about what they should be learning about or the project is not regulated enough itself to provide any academic goals. Or, a student may make a project that is overall not fitted for any academic setting. For the most part, if students are just given maybe one or two rules stating that it must be a project that someone can actually obtain information from and that the project is not just a simple little project. Then the need for a teacher to design a project for the students is effectively gone, since they would only have to follow the simple rule of not making it too easy on themselves and make a project that will help them excel academically.
To wrap up, projects under the design of a student will be better than a teacher designed one because the students are better engaged in their own projects, the students will have full control of their project and everything that goes into it, and the students will have an easier time comprehending/learning at their own pace. Schools that assign summer projects know that the real intent is to help keep the students proactive in their studies over the summer break, and these projects are suppose to help them do so. Student designed projects will be a better option for schools since it gives the students choice in their education. And that profound statement, gives students a better chance at starting off the next school year with information ready to be used. | 6 | 1,034 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
22C9D0A8F789 | Summer projects, although tidious and time consuming, are important. They are given to students by teachers to allow the students to retain the knowlege they have previously learned. They might also be given to teach the students new concepts before they enter the new school year. This allows teachers to teach a new concept at a faster pace since the students already taught it to themselves over the break. These project are very common in higher level classes because they require a higher level of understanding. These projects should be student-designed. I think that student-designed projects are a more efficient way for students to learn the required material over the summer break. It gives the students the flexibility that teacher-designed projects don't give. This is because students can design the project to their specific learning style and schedule and it allows the students to explore their creative side.
If students design their own projects they have the ability to cater to their own learning needs. Some students are visual learners. Some benefit from repitition. Each student is vastly different from next. For example, if someone knew that they were a visual learner, they could draw pictures about the topic that they are learning about. They could illustrate a storyboard about a major war or make a cartoon about how to solve a math problem. They would not benefit from making flashcards and memorizing words because their brain deems those tactics boring. When someone's brain recognizes something as fun and enjoyable, it is more awake and ready to work. This also allows the students who don't know the best way that their brain retains information to explore and find what works best for them. This could help students in the long run by making them aware of what tactics they can use to study for tests.
Students, especially high school and college level ones, usually have extremely full schedules. On the days they don't have extracurricular activities, they have work or home responsibilities. The range of what keeps a student busy is enormous. From a part-time job to band practice, students are overwhelmed with endless responsibilies. Allowing students to design their own summer projects gives them the ability to set their own work load. This takes some of the pressure off and still gives them the time to focus on other things in their lives. If a student only has two hours in their day to do school work, they won't design a project that requires them to research a topic for three hours a day and then write about it for two more hours. They will make something that allows them to research a quick topic and write a short paragraph so they can get in their eight hours of sleep.
Schools focus on challenging their students academically and they champion the students who thrive in the athletic department. Schools usually fail to give any attention to the students who excel in being creative and having problem solving skills. Student-designed school projects would allow those students to thrive in making up a unique and efficient way to learn a new concept. It would also be beneficial to the students who struggle in that area, allowing them to practice and explore new ideas. As a student who stuggles in being original and creative, I would be forced to research new ways of learning. It would make me practice thinking outside of the box which is an important skill that can be applied outside of a school setting and in the workplace.
Although student-designed projects allow students to make projects to their specific learning style and schedule and allows the students to explore their creative side, there are also things that teacher-designed projects are more efficient at. Teacher-designed projects make sure that what is needed to be learned, is actually learned. If a student designs their own project based on a broad topic, they may miss key terms or ideas that are essential to understanding the whole topic. When a project is guided by the teacher's instructions, students are less likely to be confused. There is also the chance that a student designs a project so they do not have to do any work. They can make one that requires them to only write their name on a piece of paper. Most projects are already teacher-designed and not many people have trouble understanding them. If students were to start designing their own projects it may leave students confused and unprepared for their class when the school year starts.
I think that teacher-designed projects can be beneficial, but not to every student. Allowing the students to make their own projects makes certain that every student will learn the material in their own style and at their own pace. When teachers design projects, many students don't understand and are left behind. Even though some students may design a project that is incredibly simple, not all students want self-sabatoge like that. Most students understand that summer work can set them up for success during the school year. I think that the pros outweigh the cons on allowing students to design their own summer projects. Student-designed projects allow students to learn by their own style, learn at their own pace, and explore and implement their creative ideas. | 6 | 876 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Two or more races/Other | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
A85730F12092 | For most, summer is filled with unwinding from the stresses of school, traveling to new places, and learning new skills. This break is given to students to relax and reflect on all of their hard work. Summer allows students to find activities that they are passionate about. Summer assignments should be student-designed because this allows students to determine the extent and length, the topic, and the platform the project will take place on. This break in between moving onto the next level of education is meant for students to distress and enjoy life outside of school. Surely, making the summer projects more student-based allows for scholars to continue to learn, while also allowing students to enjoy time off.
An important part of growing as a person and figuring out what career path to go down in the future is exploring possible interests. This break from the school year allows for students to do this outside of school, as well as time given to relax. If the length of the projects assigned over the summer are chosen by teachers, the students could end up with a big work load which takes away from their opportunities. Many students get jobs over the summer to gain work experience before furthering their education after high school. Not only does this help them build their transcript and resume before moving onto a new chapter in life, but it also allows them to figure out what they like do versus what they do not like to do. Students who are overwhelmed with summer projects are more inclined to not get a job or participate in the things they like to do, which defeats the purpose of the break.
Another positive outcome of student-designed projects is students can have a say in what they want to research. If the students are allowed to pick the topic of their projects that have to do with the associated class, they are more likely to have better work and learn more. Again, this break is given to scholars to allow them to enjoy life outside of school. By giving students no say in the topic they are furthering their learning on, they are less inclined to do their best work or even any work at all. Having students pick the topic of their summer assignments would surely make the projects more enjoyable and easier for the students to complete.
Finally, the last component that students should be able to determine for their summer projects is the platform they use to complete the project. Hands-on students prefer to do projects on a poster board, while more tech-savvy students would prefer to use Google slides or Prezi to present their work. Giving students a say in the way they are able to complete their project makes it a lot more enjoyable for them, essentially making it easier to complete. There are many different types of learners like people who prefer to visualize the topic they are learning about or people who would rather hear more on the topic. More visual learners may have better time comprehending the subject of the project if they can add visuals to the projects by hand. Audible learners may want to listen to videos regarding the topic and film a podcast discussing their work to better process the research they have done.
Student-designed projects allow for better learning and understanding of the topic, while still allowing students to enjoy their time off from school. Although, student should have a say in the subject, length, and platform of their summer projects, teachers should also set boundaries for these projects. It would be pointless for students to study a topic not relating to the class at all. Teachers could provide students with a list of subjects to research that they can pick from. There should also be guidelines that pertain to the length of the project because it is unfair if some students work really hard on the summer projects, yet others slack off for the same grade. However, the students should have some say in the amount of work they chose to do. Students should also be given multiple platforms to choose from, but not completely free range. The risk with giving students a free range of platforms is students could use platforms that teachers are not familiar with. Students should be given the choice of the topic, length, and platform concerning their summer assignments with teacher guidelines. It is important to keep students learning, while also letting them participate in the things they are passionate about. | 6 | 755 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
2C6F27E9A710 | Almost everyone who attended school can attest to how boring and tedious summer work can be. Whether it's assigned reading or a project, students often dislike having schoolwork cut into their summertime. However, it is a necessary evil, and although there are compelling arguments for self-directed learning and independent study, the fact remains that it's the teacher's job to know how to help their students learn. Summer work should be designed via a partnership of students and teachers, so that students can learn in ways that interest them and help them grow, and teachers can ensure that the material is taught correctly.
While the intervention of teachers in this process may seem to be too controlling or unnecessary, the fact remains that they have gone through a lengthy process to ensure that they are trained to teach the material as effectively as possible. They go through an extensive process involving obtaining at least a bachelor's degree as an undergraduate student (and in many cases going even further and pursuing post-graduate studies), spending time as a student teacher, obtaining other certifications, and taking part in continuing teacher training throughout their careers. The experience and education that teachers have is simply too much to ignore when considering the development of a student's summer project or curriculum.
Another factor to consider when advocating for students developing their own projects or curriculum is that all students are different. Some may not design their own work with their own best educational interests in mind, and others may not do as well learning via a highly structured summer project or curriculum. Yes, some students are very bright or passionate and will diligently undertake projects and studies on their own, but that is not true for all students. Everyone learns differently, and many people thrive in situations where they have specific guidelines and rules to follow or goals to meet. The wide range of learning and personality types in schools is a major reason why summer projects and curricula should be a collaborative effort between students and teachers. No two students learn the same, so why should they be forced to do the same work?
Although there are many good reasons for students doing projects that were designed by a teacher, it is also important to consider the fact that teachers may simply be out of touch with how their students wish to learn. Student-designed work can be incredibly fulfilling upon completion; the student will have identified an area of study they enjoy, pursued and researched it, and hopefully will have reached a fulfilling conclusion through a project, experiment, or assignment. However, all of this can be accomplished to its fullest potential with the help of an adult. A trusted mentor (such as a teacher), can be an invaluable resource to a young person undertaking a major project on their own.
Much of education deals with absolutes. Standardized testing, graduation requirements, etc., etc. One can go on and on describing all of the things that individuals must do to conform with the school system. All of this is necessary to ensure that all students find success. However, summer work is a wonderful opportunity for a student's individuality to shine through, and with the help of a teacher, they can design work that will be fulfilling and extremely educational. | 6 | 547 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
AE86D4E2867D | It was the summer of 2017. I was sitting at my desk, staring at a packet titled "Algebra 2/ Trigonometry Summer Assignment". I had been staring at that packed for quite a while, debating whether or not I should put it off for another day. I mean, high school seemed pretty daunting enough and this packet only made it seem worse. A ton of questions were running through my head, the loudest of these screaming, "Why do I have to do this packet?" But, I buckled down and got my pencil, eraser, and calculator and began solving through the questions, one by one. Ironically, at the end, I realized how much of a help that summer assignment was. It not only refreshed my memory and knowledge on math, but it helped me prepare for the math class I was going to take freshmen year. Surprisingly enough, it was quite fun as well. All in all, looking back, I realized that learning and keeping your brain fresh over break is important. Summer assignments and summer projects designed by teachers are key for accomplishing this. However, an argument presented stated that these summer projects should be designed by students. Summer projects should be designed by teachers and not students because teachers can construct better stimulating projects, teachers can specifically tailor the project to the students' weak points, and can prevent students from designing their own unnecessary, irrational projects.
Teachers are more highly experienced than students in educating students which leads to better quality projects that stimulate a student's learning. Teachers are trained to educate students and help them achieve academic excellence. To do so, teachers use a variety of methods, one of them being, handing out summer projects. Because teachers do this on a much more frequent basis than students, the quality of a summer project is starkly better than that of a student. Not to mention, the time it would take a student versus a teacher to design a project. With the experience and maturity as a teacher, the easier and faster a teacher can come up with a quality summer project. It would be like the difference between a well-seasoned actor or actress versus a rookie delivering a message across the scene to the audience through their acting. Obviously, the well-seasoned, mature actor or actress will have more depth and quality in his or her acting. In the same way, because teachers are so experienced in this field, teachers would be able to construct in depth, stimulating summer projects while at the same time saving work, time, and errors.
Not only does experience as a teacher work in favor of designing the summer projects, but the relationship between the student and teacher helps the teacher to specifically tailor the project to a student's weak point. Knowing the student from the teacher's perspective involves knowing their weak spots and strong spots. This is exceedingly beneficial because if one class is particularly struggling with one topic, than the teacher can specifically tailor that project to help that class improve and learn more about that subject. Being a student, you do not hold a teacher's critical perspective or knowledge to judge and analyze in where you have your lows and highs. This may work as a blind spot in constructing a project that wouldn't pinpoint the topics you need to better improve on. Shortcomings from being a student play a significant role in why summer projects should be designed by teachers.
Allowing the teacher to design the summer projects also prevents the students from designing too easy, too hard, too weird, or too goofy projects. When you leave an important task, like letting the students make their own project, it can lead to some projects that are not geared toward learning and retaining information, but geared toward having fun or not meeting academic standards. As much as it is important to have fun doing this project, the entire purpose of a project is to learn. It may be argued the other way, in that letting students design their own summer projects should be allowed, since it allows for the students to be creative and go a little out of their box to construct a fun, creative, and learning project. However, taking this route contains too much room for the opportunity to go way out of the box. It allows for students to take advantage of this opportunity and miss out on the opportunity to truly give themselves a learning experience. Although it may encourage creativity, it is better to be safe in giving the students an uniform summer project that meets the expected standards, than to give students the opportunity to design one on their own that might exceed or not even meet the standards for learning.
Teacher-designed projects yield more better and concrete results than student-designed projects because of their professionalism, conciseness in one subject, and intention, which is why summer projects should always be designed by teachers. This way, education among the students can be uniformly preserved and kept fresh over breaks. Education should always be kept to a high standard in which this is accomplished through teachers, the founders and base of the education in America. | 6 | 860 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
9C27DB38BBE9 | It is summer time, the suns hot rays are beaming down on you and there is a nice cool summer breeze that is drifting in the wind. The trees are so green that you almost forget that just a few months ago, they were bare. You can see and hear kids laughing and swimming at the local pools and parks and you can taste the cool ice pop on in our mouth after playing with your friends into the summer night. It is perfect, so perfect that you almost forget about your summer assignment. That dreadful assignment your teacher made up that holds no interest to you and that you have been procrastinating all summer. You know it is important to do, but you struggle because it ruins the fun and excitement of your summer. You wish you could have made your own project up to still get the benefit of learning, but not have to deal with the pain of a boring assignment created by an adult teacher. Summer projects that help students continue to learn during the summer breaks should be student designed and created and not teacher created.
Summer is a time for students to get a break from school. The school year is a hard and busy time for students and throughout the entire year, they never catch a break from assignments and assessments in school. Summer allows for students to take the much needed mind break and reset for the following year. While yes, there is an important meaning behind giving summer assignments, when they resemble school work and involve readings or worksheets, a student does not fully get the break they deserve. Students who are able to design their own projects would have a better desire to want to complete them during their summer. Being able to create their own projects as a student also gives the illusion that it is not school work and they are still on their summer break, not just in school.
In addition to a break from school, students motivation in the summer time drops. School is a good way to keep a student on track and completing their work, but when there is not a teacher or building to keep students going, the motivation their is to complete a task is dropped. School assignments, and summer ones, also tend to refer only to a specific topic which a student might not be interested in which could cause them to not do it or rush it and not do their best work. When a student designs a project, they will want to make it something they will enjoy doing. By giving student that option, it eliminates the fact that the school project is something that they would hate. If a person is interesting in doing something they will spend time on it and plan time to do it.
Not only is not getting a break and having the motivation reasons a student should design their own summer assignment, but also the idea that if a student likes the project they are doing and puts effort into it, it allows the teacher to see what the student is like and how they work. Having this advantage can help a teacher structure their school year to appeal to the students which in turn will help them not only succeed on their summer project but throughout the entire school year. Teachers would also get the opportunity to see what students had designed and did during the summer when they create their own project. It could be argued that a student could take advantage of this and make a super simple project or make a sloppy assignment, however that is the students choice. While this would be an issue, the student would have most likely cheated or not have done a good job on the assignment the teacher would have given so why not let the students who actually care enjoy their project and do it well.
Summer time is a time for play and fun, not to be focused on school work. But we all know that is impossible so instead of spending your summer doing long and boring teacher assigned projects, students should be able to design their own and show off themselves and add to the enjoyment of summer. The summer assignments a students creates would give them the knowlogege while still getting a school break, the motivation and want to complete it, and finally the teacher would get to know the student on a personal level within the first few days of school which is important for the students school year. This is why school summer projects should be student designed. | 6 | 777 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
9BD6C2F5AB5D | Have you ever noticed what an athlete does as they're running during sports? When they run, they pace themselves to be sure they don't run out of energy too quick and that they can maintain their bodies to give it their all near the finish line. Running like an athlete is just the same as doing an assignment over summer break for students. If they are away for too long over break and then they realize they have a project to due in less then a week, they're going to rush the task and it'll be one big mess, just like they were running out of energy. However, having a project over the summer that students can control, will be very beneficial to students that learn in different ways so that they have free will to choose how they learn, it gives them the opportunity to set their own pace, and their tasks won't be too difficult for them not to complete and should be something for them to enjoy.
There are various ways students learn in school. When working in a lab in chemistry, some students like to follow the teacher step by step, meanwhile, others like to have the steps for themselves and work at their own pace. When learning something completely new in math, some students like to ask questions to get a full understanding, or there are some students who do extra work and find out for themselves how it works to get a better understanding. Students have many different ways they have figured out for themselves on how to obtain knowledge. Having a student-designed project for the summer will allow students to choose how they want to learn and continue learning over the break. When given a specific book to read over the summer and having a specific way to complete a project to work on later, most students get upset or frustrated because the book assigned may not be interesting to them or they don't like how they're supposed to do the project. Allowing them to possibly choose their own book or the way they can apply their knowledge will solve this problem, as they won't be agitated as much when they have free will.
Over the break, many students travel with their families, either in or out of their control. It's a little unfair for students who don't have access to materials while they're away from home to be given an assignment that must be due by a certain date, meanwhile, students who are at home have plenty of time to work on it. Student-designed projects will allow them to set their own pace that works for them and their schedule. However, as great as that may sound for students who will be away, it also requires some responsibility. Having an assignment due at a certain date requires a lot of responsibility to make sure you turn it in on time anyway, but having an assignment where students can choose when which certain parts of their project is due requires lots of control to make sure their up to task and up to date with themselves. Sure, this concept of a student-based project could be taken advantage of for those who don't even want to do a project or learn over the summer, but it allows those willing to learn and those responsible enough to unwind a little bit and enjoy themselves over their break like it should be when given the opportunity to pace themselves.
When a student has a problem or a question, most of the time they ask their teacher for help. Over the summer, however, they won't have access to their teachers to ask questions on a project given to them. There may be some ways students can remain in contact with their teachers, but they have their own lives too and want to enjoy their break, just like we do. When a task is too hard for students, some of them give up on even doing the assignment in general. If students don't understand a math problem and they don't have any access to any materials or resources, they will either give up or keep trying until they get tired and don't want to do it anymore. However, if we allow students to pick their own assignments, that issue won't come up. Having students choose their own assignments or what they believe is their best to turn in to show that they have been learning over the break, will be the best option for them. If they can choose their own assignments, they won't get bored easily and not want to do their tasks, or they won't get burnt out or frustrated because the task is too difficult for them. Projects that students can choose what they want to do will encourage them to actually do the project.
Having a teacher-designed project over break creates a lot of problems for students. Whether if it's not being able to complete the assignment because it's too difficult or not having enough time to complete the task, students run into a lot of issues. However, having a project that students can create and that students can control will encourage them to learn and work their own way, work at their own pace without being stressed out, and encourage them to do the assignment without finding it too difficult for them to accomplish. | 6 | 897 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
51980DE241EE | Summer project assigments should be teacher designed and not designed by students. Most students cannot be trusted to choose a project design that would truly challenge them and help them learn the subject, and teachers are more well equipped to create a project format that is effective and user-friendly.
If summer projects were student designed, the project would be ineffective and students wouldn't learn as much from them as they would if teachers had assigned them. Students cannot be trusted to create something that would be challenging, and therefore a valuable learning eperience. Students would want to create a project that is easy to do and would result in the best grade for themselves, and cannot objectively prioritize their learning experience. If this was how projects were conducted, there would be no point in doing summer projects in the first place because nobody would learn from them. There would also be inconsistencies in the projects that everyone does, if they can create them indiiviually, students would have different assignments from each other and the grading would be biased. If the students had to come to the conclusion of one project designed together, they wouldn't be able to agree on one thing and each indiviual would want different things to be included in the project. In contrast, if things are designed by teachers, everyone gets the same project and it is not made with a bias towards what works better for one student compared to another. Teachers can be objective in their creation of a project so that it challenges everyone in some way. For example, my history teacher often designs projects in very different ways. For one unit, he will have an individual project that focuses on a complex and creative formatting to communciate the information learned in the unit. For the next unit, he will have a group project where people have assigned roles and have to execute specific actions and work together. These projects work well in a way that can only be thought out and executed by a teacher because they challenge students in the actual material of the subject, but also challenge them in their skills of formatting, public speaking, teamwork, and communications, which are valuable skills to learn in their own right. These are extra factors in a project that you woudn't get without the involvement of a teacher.
Teachers are also better at creating projects because they have more experience and knowledge with the concept. It is most likely that students have never had to create a project themselves before, so they wouldn't know where to start, what to include, how it should be graded, etc. Teachers have made many projects as apart of their jobs, and they know the design that tends to be more approachable for students, the material that seems to be the right level of difficulty, and how to grade it so that it is a proper evaluation of the student's abilities. Teachers are also well versed in the subject that they teach and would know the material that is most relevant and important to properly assess a student's understanding on. A student would have no guidance on what parts of the subject they learn is considered to be of highest value, and many projects are based on some of the most difficult concepts in the unit, so that a student is forced to spend more time with the ideas to gain a better understanding. Teachers are the ones who create the tests and quizzes that a student has to take on the material, and with this knowledge they know what students tend to struggle with and what parts of the unit should be focused on for an ideal learning experience.
One could argue that students should create their own projects because they would get better grades on them and it would be easier for them to understand, but this concept has too many factors of bias invovled and a student wouldn't be able to get a comepletely objective learning experience. If we only learned the things we wanted to learn, we would miss out on a lot of valuable skills in life and leanring experiences that help us with other subjects. If a student likes english, they can study literature and progress in that field, but they can only go so far if they only learn english without any teachings in history, math, or science. In the example of only learning literaure, there are many exmaple of historical references, scientific vocabularly, and mathematics in complex literature, and one cannot fully understand these works without a precursory knowledge in the other fields. Thus, projects cannot be student run just towards things they enjoy. Although it would be more enjoyable for the stundet to work on, it wouldn't be as effective educationally and there would be missing parts to the whole concept that need go be addressed.
There's a reason teachers are teachers and students are students. Students need to use their educational experience to focus purely on learning the subject at hand and useful skills for their lives. Teachers are there to help guide us to these goals, and this path is led astray when students start to do the jobs of teachers, and the effective system begins to fall apart. Educational experts are trained to know what they're doing, and it is our job to trust them and learn as much as we can. | 6 | 901 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
B1703E8A7555 | Summer is my favorite time of year. In the United States, schools have a little over two months break from school each year. During this period of time schools usually give students assignments to help them remember all that they have learned during the school year. It is very common for teachers and other staff to design these assignments for schools, including my own school. Although some may believe otherwise, summer projects should be student-designed because it would make it a more engaging and exciting experience for students, and it would help students be more productive over the summer.
Student-designed projects would make summer projects more engaging for students, while still expanding their knowledge. An experience I had with this was after I finished my freshman year in high school. Over the summer I had a ten page assignment for my math class that I had to finish before the first day of school started. This experience was very frustrating because all I could think about at that time was what I was missing out on with all my other summer activities. This assignment was very long and boring for me to do, when it could've been a lot more fun and exciting if students could've brought their own personal intrests and ideas into it. Another example was when my friend Generic_Name had to do an assignment for German class. The teacher asked each of the students to research one aspect of German culture and then make a power point with pictures with what they found. Although this wasn't a summer assignment it shows how assignments can be made more engaging if students can take charge in it. In this instance, Generic_Name was able to research a specific part of German culture she was interested in, and she actually enjoyed taking part in this project. Summer projects have the potential to be very engaging and could even bring in personal interest if they could be student lead.
If students were able to design their own summer assignments it would help them be more productive with their free time. In past years at my school, teachers have assigned specific assignments for the summer, but this last year they had a checklist of some educational activities one could take part in such as: watch a documentary, read a book of choice, go to a museum, and so on. I decided to go to a science museum with my family, where we learned about astronomy, oceanography, meteorology, and much more. This experience was very fun because I got to spend time with my family, but also it helped me learn even more about science, which I already love. It also helped me go outside the house and be productive with my time instead of sitting around and watching TV all day. Another time, some friends of mine told me that they don't even do the assignments until the last few days before school starts. These summer projects are not even helping the students learn if they're just rushing to finish. In this instance, the students were not even being productive with they're time because when they rushed to complete the assignment they could not comprehend what they're writing down. Summer is a time when people don't have too much going on, so it promotes laziness and procrastination, but with an interesting assignment it could bring students off the couch.
Some may disagree and say that teachers should design these summer assignments. Although it is understandable to think this way, this reasoning is flawed because teacher-designed projects don't always connect with the students. One example I have of this was with our summer reading book from last summer, 'Craig and Fred.' This novel was about a marine in Iran who found a dog and brought him back home even though it was against the military rules. I thought the book was very well written, and I appreciated this experience Craig shared with us, but I personally didn't connect with the story because I couldn't relate to the characters in the book and it wasn't a kind of book I usually read. When teachers give these kind of assignments it's hard to relate and have a good experience doing them. Bad feelings toward summer projects could be entirely avoided if students were able to choose their own book or even put in suggestions for them. I've had so many experiences in high school where I just didn't connect with or completely understand an assignment, and has resulted in it being very hard to complete. Some teachers can come up with fun activities for projects, but it would help students overall if they could have input in their projects.
It is important to remember that school is not made to stress students out with all the tests and assignments teachers give them, it is to help students learn all about the world and prepare us for real life. In the past teachers have planned out these projects for the summer, but I believe in the future that should change because it can help students see how things they've learned in school work in the outside world. So teachers, let students take charge for once! | 6 | 863 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
E1B7A48B5872 | Some schools require that students complete a project over the summer break between school years. These projects are designed to ensure that the students are still learning and keeping their minds active during the long summer break. Many questions are being asked about these summer projects as more and more schools being to require them. Although, the question at hand when it come to these summer projects is who the projects should be designed by, the students or the teachers. The teachers designing the projects is the obviously better choice. When the projects are designed by the teachers, students are able to understand what to expect from their teachers of the upcoming school year, as well as to help encourage the learning process for students, even over their summer break. Teacher designed projects would not hinder, or inhibit, the process of learning, as they would if the students were to design them instead.
Teachers understand how to encourage the learning process much better than students. Some teachers may not be as experienced as other teachers, but they all are still required to achieve a college degree in teaching. While getting this degree, future teachers learn deeply about the proper ways to encourage students to learn, even if it is over the summer. Students may argue that they understand the ways their brains work and how they learn, but there are many things that they have yet to learn due to young age and inexperience. Teachers know much more than students about how the brain reacts to new information and ways to encourage the absorption of that information. Encouraging the students to learn over the summer keeps their minds active, rather than dormant. This then helps students understand the subjects they are to have in the next school year exponentially more than when students design the projects. Teachers are more developed and experienced in the subject they teach than the students they teach are. It is why they are now the teacher, and no longer the student.
When the projects are designed by the teacher, students understand what to expect from their future teachers once returning to school again. This process also helps students get a head start on the next school year, making it easier on the students as they will know a small amount about the subject they are to learn before the class even begins. This also helps the teachers because the students will be able to grasp the subject more smoothly, so teachers are not as frustrated in trying to teach the students in the beginning of the school year. When the students minds are kept active over the summer, they do not lose the information given to them from the previous school year as easily. This helps students in the beginning of the school year because then they are not just violently thrown back into the learning process of school. Doing so just shocks their brains, and not in a pleasant way. It's the equivalent of throwing a small child into a freezing cold pool on a hot summer day. By doing this, students easily get frustrated with their studies, and it takes them much longer to be able to absorb the information they are given in the beginning of the school year. But, being given a project over the summer allows their minds to slowly get back into the learning process of school once again, making it much easier to grasp subjects and absorb the information they need.
When students are provided the chance to be able to design their own project, they almost always take the, what we would say is the "easy route." This means that they are more likely to be lazy about the project and design an extremely easy one to be able to complete it quickly and then never think about it again until it is due. This is not the purpose of the idea of summer projects, but this is how students shall treat it as. After all, if one is given the choice between doing something quite easy versus having to put in more work and time to accomplish something a bit more difficult, the average person would choose the easier, more lazy route. So, why would students not do the same? Yes, some students are more focused upon their studies than most, but even then, many, if not all, would choose to do something that is easy that will take little time over something that is more difficult and may take a longer amount of time to complete.
The choice between a teacher designed project and a student designed project is a no-brainer. Teachers create projects that better help the students to be able to learn over the summer and the beginning of the school year. When teachers create the projects students are not thrown into the ocean to sink or swim, at the beginning of the school year. Instead, the students are actually able to learn and comprehend the material given to them. Students are also given a prerequisite for what it is that they shall be learning in the upcoming school year, allowing them to prepare for the subjects that approach them. There will not be a lazy route for the students to travel upon; they will learn and be better prepared with the teacher designed projects than they will be with projects designed by their fellow students. Given the choices, one should always choose a teacher designed project over a student designed project as it is obvious that teacher designed projects are the extraordinarily better option. | 6 | 927 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
909404A6C673 | Students are usually on their phones and doing other mindless tasks during summer break, and they don't stimulate their brains. As a result, some schools assign summer projects to ensure that their students learn over the summer and are better prepared for the next school year. These schools debate on assigning teacher-designed projects, which have specific guidelines, or student-designed projects, which allow for more creative freedom. These summer projects should be student-designed because students would be able to personalize their projects, the projects would be more enjoyable, and the students would put in more effort into their products.
With student-designed projects, students are able to express their own creative styles. For example, in an interior design class, the summer project could be to design the students' dream house. One student may excel in drawing, so they could draw their dream house. Another student may excel in graphic design, so they could create a three-dimensional model of their dream house on a computer. Lastly, another student may like Legos, so they could build their dream house out of Legos. On the other hand, teacher-designed projects would minimize the creative freedom because they would set specific guidelines on how they want their students to complete it. All in all, students can complete their projects using the unique skills they have with student-designed projects.
Also, students would find the projects more fun if they are able to design it. Summer break is a time for students to have fun. When a teacher designs a project, there are usually set guidelines on how they want the project, which sometimes isn't what students would enjoy. This would make it difficult for students to find the motivation to complete their projects, especially over summer break. On the other hand, with student-designed projects, students would be able to personalize their projects, so they could use their own interests to complete it. When students are able to individualize their projects, they find it more enjoyable to complete since they would include aspects that they enjoy and minimize aspects of the project they could potentially dislike. For example, in the previously mentioned interior design summer project, the student who excels in drawing could dislike using computers. If the teacher had required the dream house to be made on the computer, the drawer could find it difficult to finish the project because they don't enjoy using computers. In contrast, if the drawer was able to design their own project, then they could draw their dream house while having fun.
Lastly, in student-designed projects, students would put more effort into completing their projects. Generally, students put more effort into the subjects that they enjoy. Similarly, if students are able to design their own projects, they would enjoy completing the projects and work harder on them. If the previously mentioned interior design teacher required everyone to build their dream house out of Legos, the student who draws and the student who enjoys graphic design would enjoy the project less and find little motivation to complete it over the summer. As a result, the drawer and graphic designer would put minimal effort into their Lego dream house, for they may just build a house with little detail and minimal unique thinking. On the other hand, if the dream house project was a student-designed project, the students would put a lot of effort into creating their dream house since they are able to design it with the skills that they have and enjoy using.
Some may argue that students could design the summer projects so they require minimum effort since they want to complete their projects as quickly as possible. However, when you give students creative freedom, they are more likely to put in extra effort because they would enjoy their projects more. Schools that require summer projects should assign student-designed projects because students are able to use their unique skills and interests to complete these projects. Additionally, students would have more fun completing these projects since they are allowed to express their own creativeness, which helps motivate the students to complete it during summer break. Lastly, students are more likely to work harder on their projects because they would find their student-designed projects more enjoyable to complete. | 6 | 700 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
55BD1573CCB6 | The summer assignment is a term that middle school and high school students know all too well. Not all students are assigned a project to complete over the summer, but for those that take higher level classes (a decent portion of modern high school students), there is typically some form of work that they must complete through the summer months that relates to the course they will be taking. It has been argued, though, that summer projects are far too strenuous on students, and that, if the students had the power to synthesize their own assignments to complete through June, July, and August, it may warrant less work and a generally easier time for them. However, summer assignments are better off being designed by the teachers themselves, as teachers are experts in the subject(s) they teach, teachers possess a higher level of skills in creating projects and assignments, and an inadequate project put together by students may lead to an undesired grade in the class, as the students would not be nearly as well prepared.
At the core of every class is the teacher; teachers are masters in their field, and are highly trained to answer whatever query or insight is thrown at them in their class. To put it simply, the teacher is the one who knows the material better than anyone in the room. For example, just about every teacher within the United States must obtain a degree in teaching from a four-year university, as well as extended classes in the subject that they would like to teach. Many teachers do not stop at a four-year degree though, and continue their training through a graduate program. Quite a large part of a teacher's time and life in general becomes dedicated to this training. An extensive amount of effort is exerted by these colleges and schools, as well as the teacher, to instill the subject material into the teacher's head. It is the job of the teacher at this point to relay their extensive knowledge of a subject to the students. Many teachers become knowledgeable because of their background as well; a physics teacher may have a father who is an aeronautical engineer working at NASA, or a science teacher may have a mother who is a biologist at a genetic engineering company. Because of what these teachers have been exposed to through a large portion of their life, they have gained a further understanding of the subject they will teach, and have an open attitude to learning more about it. Teachers become experts of their field, and have the knowledge necessary to assemble a project or assignment to be done over the summer that will prepare the students for the class. A student who is assembling a summer project would never possess nearly as much knowledge as a teacher has of expectations or standards of the class.
With this extended schooling comes not only a further knowledge of the teacher's subject, but an attainment of skills in designing projects and creating assignments. As mentioned above, many teachers obtain four-year degrees in preparation for their careers, but often their degree is not in the subject they teach, but in the actual field of teaching itself. These degrees teach the essential skills necessary to educate students, and one of these skills is creating assignments. Teachers spend extensive amounts of time putting together worksheets and project rubrics, pulling material from numerous sources. What better person is there to assemble a summer project, to prepare you for a class, than someone who has undergone extensive training in putting together projects and assignments? It is important to consider, though, not just training, but experience as well. Every school day, students are assigned some form of an assignment or project to complete to further their understanding of the subject, which in turn means that every school day, there is a teacher behind each one of these assignments, creating them for the students. Teachers spend large amounts of time putting together the right assignments for their students, and with this comes a mastery of the skill. Creating projects for students is one of the core tasks a teacher must do every single day, and it would be quite contradicting of a teacher to free the job of creating a summer assignment for students, to the pupils themselves, who may have never even planned a hangout with friends, or a basic schedule of their day.
As previously mentioned, students are obviously not experienced in the skill of creating an assignment. The common sophomore or junior in high school is anywhere from fifteen to seventeen years old, and has likely never faced a situation in which they had to prepare a curriculum or a rubric for someone to complete that pertains to a specific subject. If they were given the task of compiling an assignment of a subject (that they have not learned and are not extensively knowledgeable about), the outcome would not work in favor of the student. Not only would the project likely be of low quality. but the results reaped by the student from the project may set them up for failure in the class. Another important perspective to consider is the work ethic of students, or lack thereof. High school students are not disciplined enough to sit down and put together a school assignment for themselves that, not to mention, will eat into their time away from school during the summer. This would result in a sloppy project and a deficit in the student's future performance in the class.
Every school throughout the United States, and the world in general, should aim to have strictly teacher-designed summer projects. The prospect of student-designed projects could have disastrous outcomes for the students themselves. When comparing a knowledgeable and well-trained teacher's project with an uncoordinated and inexperienced student's project, the answer should be nothing but obvious. For the sake of the student, and for the sake of common sense, no summer assignment or project should ever be student-designed. | 6 | 997 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
E48C4A808FB2 | Summer projects are one of the most common forms of ensuring that students continue learning during their long summer break. These projects allow students to keep the information and experience that they learned through their school year throughout the summer. However, though the purpose and need of the summer projects may be valid, they are not interesting and motivating projects for students to complete, and, as such, students tend to procrastinate in completing their projects and learn less from the project thereby defeating its very purpose. The result of such a summer project, is the loss of knowledge gained by students in the past year, bad grades at the start of the new school year, and the unpreparedness of the students to return to school in a higher level class. Due to the fact that teachers are adults who prioritize the imbuement of knowledge into students, they are, at times, unable to make the summer projects they assign motivating to the students thereby resulting in this kind of summer projects. Summer projects should be student-designed because it will prevent the procrastination of students on the projects, allow students to absorb more from the project itself, and make the summer project more appealing for the students to complete.
One of the most important reasons why summer projects must be designed by students is to prevent the procrastination of students in the completion of said project. Due to the fact that summer projects tend to be rigorous and tiring, students tend to avoid completing the project until the very last second, which can result in a poor project, the students being unable to recall the learnings of their past year, and even causing them to be unprepared for the challenges of a higher level course. However, if the summer projects were student-designed, they would make it interesting for other students while including the necessary content under teacher supervision. By doing so, students who have to complete the assignment would be more motivated and interested in completing the summer project and would, therefore, not wait till the last second. Due to the last minute efforts by the students, students may feel the need to copy another person's summer project in order to simply make the deadline that they had forgotten about. This cheating would only lead to the students learning nothing from the project, being unprepared for their new higher level class, and learning to cheat on school work. To mitigate or prevent that situation, summer projects should be student-designed, so students would avoid their procrastination all together. Summer projects should be student-designed in order to prevent the procrastination of students thereby allowing them to fulfill the purpose of their summer project.
Though preventing the procrastination of students on the project is indeed one of the greatest benefits of having summer projects being student-designed, another key benefit of this is for it to allow students to absorb and learn more from the project. Due to the fact that summer projects can be tiring and complicated, students tend to absorb little from their completion besides what they must already know. This leads to students being unprepared for their new classes and also deprived of knowledge that was just before their eyes. By having student-designed summer projects, which will be more appealing to the students, students will try harder and be more invested in their projects, therefore allowing them to gain more from their projects than what they normally would. On normal summer projects, students tend to fill out the project with out actually understanding what they're doing. By having student-designed summer projects, students are more interested in the project and due to that fact, they are more likely to understand more about the concepts behind the project itself. Summer projects should be designed by students in that it will allow students to learn more from the summer projects than what they normally would.
Preventing the procrastination of students in the summer and allowing them to learn more from the summer projects are both important benefits of having student-designed summer projects, however, none of those benefits would even be possible without the fact that student-designed summer projects are much more invigorating to complete than a normal summer project to a student. Students have the unique advantage of understanding what students like and dislike which gives them a enormous advantage when it comes to creating a summer project for other students. This advantage is why more students will be interested in completing their summer projects which lead to them not procrastinating and absorbing more knowledge from the project. Student-designed summer projects will be naturally be more appealing to students because it would be designed to inspire their interests and therefore their concentration and focus.
Summer projects are a way for students to learn and develop even in the summer when there is no school for them to attend. Therefore, these projects are an important part of a student's school year because their purpose is to allow students to keep the information and experience that they have learned through their school year throughout the summer and to prepare them for their next year. However, even though these projects are needed and are useful to many students, are they currently effective in achieving their purpose? In order to achieve their purpose of cultivating students, summer projects should be student-designed because by having students design the projects, it can prevent student procrastination on these projects, allow students to gain more knowledge and understanding from these projects, and also motivate students to complete these projects. By appealing to students's interests and creativity, allowing students to learn more, and preventing their procrastination; to help future students, summer projects should be student-designed. | 6 | 945 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
0BDD43321AFD | Remember in elementary school you used to get summer reading logs and checks on books you were 'required' to read during your break? Some students never had a problem with these types of assignments because they loved to read any chance they could get. Unfortunately, there were also the kids who would dread reading and give up after ten minutes or pretend they did the entire assignment. Though at this age, it really didn't matter whether or not you did the reading logs, it was just a little nudge your school would give you to do summer learning. However, when students reach higher levels of school, especially around high school, the requirement of summer projects is actually a requirement. Lots of students complain that it is unfair to do assignments over the one, long break they receive, but depending on the class subject it is for, sometimes these projects are essential. Schools must be aware that if summer projects are always going to be required, the assignments should be student-designed rather than teacher-designed because students will have more urge to do them and sometimes the projects can interfere with summer plans, making it troublesome to get work done.
Summer is the only substantially long break that students receive off of homework, assignments and tests. Through the months of August until June, school does not cease. Almost every week, robotic-like students must wake up early Monday morning, suffer through eight hours of sitting and listen to a teacher go on about something like, why did the War of 1812 happen, how to dissect a frog, or solve for x. Five days are filled with this repeating schedule with two days to spare, and in my experience one of those days is set aside for weekend homework. No matter how much someone loves school and learning, eventually they need a break. Summer is the time to cut loose, hang out with friends, travel somewhere you've never been before and relax. Almost everyone has seen in a movie how students throw their books and papers up in the air as soon as that last day bell rings. Imagine receiving a final project the last day of school, requiring students to turn in on the first day of their next year of school. Now if that project was teacher-designed it might require a student to: 'write an eight page essay on the effects of propaganda use in your society' or 'create a tri-fold and 3-D display of a past, indigenous, tribe's village'. Just picturing these assignments make some people cringe. However, if summer projects were student-designed, people could create a piece of work that interests them and hopefully enables them to put in more effort on the assignment because it wouldn't feel as much like a school task. Student-designed projects could focus on what students question or wonder about in their day to day lives, peaking their interests and making the task feel more fun and creative. Students could receive a broad outline like 'write an essay' or 'create a display', and turn it into a unique piece that expresses themselves; something like a paper on endangered animals.
During summer a lot of trips and vacations are taken whether with family or friends, near or far. Nevertheless, each one requires people to leave their homes and travel with the minimal amount necessary to save space. In my experience, I once was gone for almost the entire summer. One week I was in Pennsylvania with my relatives and the next I was swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. Now imagine if these vacations, no matter how long the duration, were to be taken away from students because of a teacher-designed, summer project. If one was to receive a project of this type, there is no way of telling how much time or the location required to get it done. For example, if teachers were to design a summer research paper on the history of where you live, it might be necessary to go to the public library to view history records. No one can do that or go there if they're skiing all the way in Colorado. Student-designed projects allow students to create a work period and timing schedule for when doing the assignment works best for them. This way they can coordinate when their prior to summer planned vacations are being taken and when they will be home or around an area that will allow them to get work done. Students planning their projects and work time around summer could mean multiple things. For example, when they will be home to create a display, whether the hotel they stay at will have wifi to get on the internet, or even who they will be with to conduct an interview if the project requires that. A lot of the projects teachers design don't put into aspect all these factors.
Some, especially teachers, might argue that having students design their own summer projects will lead to the minimal work necessary and a poorly done assignment. Teachers might say that students are primarily focused on their summers and just having fun, rather than getting something done that could benefit them in their next school year. However, if the project is required for school, that typically means it is graded. Students won't try to do the least amount work possible just to save them time, if that means they will earn a D on the project. They will start the year off poorly. The overall effect of the project will outweigh how much time and effort is put into it.
Overall, student-designed projects would be more beneficial for both teachers and students because these types of assignments create a unique idea of who you are as a person because it shows individual interests. If a project was deemed boring and just based on facts, teachers would be more likely to receive non creative and possibly plagiarized work. Students wouldn't care to try their best because this one task is taking time out of their long awaited break from school. In addition, student-designed projects also allow teachers assigning them, to have a sense of who their incoming students are, based on their projects. | 6 | 1,029 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
B59E34151E67 | Summer break is the time that students look forward to the most. After a long 9 months of continuous learning, it is a time in which they can take a much needed break. However, in this time of relaxation, many students abandon the idea of learning completely, which causes much of the knowledge that they have acquired throughout the school year to be forgotten, defeating the purpose of even learning in the first place. Summer projects counteract this phenomenon by forcing students to utilize their brain muscles in a productive way that is different than in the school environment, where teachers are in control of the assignments. Therefore, even though teacher-created projects are the norm, summer projects should be student-designed in order to allow students to better themselves to the fullest extent.
Although the assignments that are created by teachers are needed in the early stages of life, student-designed projects are necessary in the later years to keep students' minds stimulated as they get older, preparing them for adulthood. From the beginning of kindergarten to the end of 12th grade, structure and routine are drilled into students as part of their development. While it is necessary at the beginning of school life to set a foundation for growth, at a certain point, it goes from moving children forward to holding them back.
While a small child needs the structure a teacher provides in order to learn the basics of how to function in human society, adolescents need to be allowed to break some previously set boundaries to prepare them for their adult years, where everything they do will ultimately be up to them. So, giving students the opportunity to design their own assignments allows them to formulate behaviors and habits that they need now and will need in the future like time management, organization, and self sufficiency.
While teacher-made assignments are well structured, the absence of structure allows students to become more independent. The school system is set up in a way that stresses the importance of structure and consistency. However, a consequence of that focus is that students' natural inclinations are often stifled and they become dependent on said structure in everything they do. Being given strict instructions that have everything planned down to the very last detail causes students to become used to having the hard work done for them. But giving students an assignment in which every single idea must come from their own minds allows them to expand their mental capacity and limits greatly, by forcing them to tap into the ideas floating around in their mind that were previously suppressed by rigid school assignments and organize them into cohesive thoughts. This allows students to develop self study habits through self created projects, ultimately helping them in future situations, such as higher education, where most assignments are loosely structured and students are forced to rely on themselves to succeed.
Although teacher-designed assignments are very effective, student-designed projects keep students engaged by steering them away from the monotony of traditional school assignments. During the summer, students are often more focused on enjoying themselves than preparing for school. Having to complete a summer assignment may put a damper on students' spirits, making them feel as if they have to rush to finish their assignment in order to have fun. This can foster cheating as students can share answers between each other without learning anything, since they are not in school, which defeats the whole purpose of the assignment. Very often during the school year, students do the bare minimum on school assignments because they are too one note and don't allow them to express themselves. However, giving the students the opportunity to choose what they are learning about will make them more enthusiastic about doing a summer assignment and put more effort into their work, as it gives them a chance to showcase their creativity, originality, and what they are really passionate about.
While teacher-designed assignments provide the structure needed for students who aren't in school, they don't help students to the fullest possible extent. Therefore allowing students to design their own assignments fosters creativity, originality, and expands the limits of students' minds, as they are given the opportunity to take all of the ideas and innovations that are forced to stay in their minds during the school year and form them into a project that demonstrates the best of their abilities. Through this mental exhibition, they not only retain what have they learned throughout the school year, but they are also inclined to learn even more, because they have the freedom to learn what they want to. | 6 | 764 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Black/African American | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
2D97441646AF | In early June of every year, students around the United States sigh in relief at the end of the school year. No longer trapped by stuffy classrooms and long extracurriculars, students have time to enjoy summer with their friends and family. But this summer is not a full vacation. Many students are required to prepare for their classes in the next year by completing at home summer projects in a variety of subjects. In deciding the design of such projects, summer projects should be teacher-designed in order to instill discipline among the children and improve the quality of education during the school year; while some may argue students will be more engaged if they can design the summer projects themselves, the freedom received by creating one's own project could actually leave students disinterested with a topic mattter they know little about.
Receiving teacher designed projects, and not giving students the freedom to design their own, will instill discipline among the children that is needed to be successful in the coming year. While it may be unfair to impose a project only decided by teachers, this unfairness is consistent with the method of which projects and tests are given out during the school year. A student who expects student autonomy in an advanced class with a lot of content may be fustrated and even resentful towards a teacher who tries to implement teacher-designed projects during the school year. Thus, students may not be disciplined enough to listen to their teachers and do what is expect of them if they have such a different mode of learning during the school year. Furthermore, it is especially important students understand and get used to the rigor of advanced classes such as Duel Enrollment and Advanced Placement classes, which put high demands on the students from the beginning to the end of a year. Difficult classes, like Advanced Placement, are often required to give out several tests and projects of a specific regulation or design, as per the exam that students are expected to take at the end of the year. Failing to model the specific design expected in the advanaced class would do a diservice to the students who are taking end of year exams, and may even lead to lower scores.
Most importantly, giving teachers control over summer project ensures that they know exactly how educated each student is on the subject matter and will not have to waste time repeating material that could have been taught during the summer. Student-designed summer projects will often veer towards a student studying a topic of their own choice; thus, their peformance on such a project will only give insight on their capabilities in that subject and leave the teacher clueless as to what else the student may or may not know. For example, a student-designed summer project in calculus may have the student practice and research taking a derivative. A teacher will be able to judge this student's abiity in differentiation. However, the teacher will have no understaning of the student's ability to integrate or sum series, which are two equally crucial concepts of calculus. By relying on the student to design his summer project and, by extension, his preparation for a class, the teacher will be ill informed on the actual strengths and weaknesses of his or her students. This will have adverse effects on the quality of education during the school year, because the teacher may waste time teaching concepts students need no help in and failing to spend more effort teaching concepts students overwhelmingly struggle in understanding. The quality of education may suffer in other areas as well if students were to design their summer projects. Since elementary school, I remember many teachers complaining about how summer is when students' education goes down the drain. Without the presence of teacher instruction or even projects to complete, students often fail to retain information of the previous school year. Consequentially, teachers gripe, for good reason, that they spend the first quarter of the new year reteaching old information. With teacher control over summer projects, students will be forced to renegage witth all the material the teacher expects them to know before returning to school. Students will not have such a large gap of instruction during the summer and, thus, will be able to learn more information at a deeper level during the school year, improving the quality of their education as a whole.
Others may argue that giving students autonomy over their summer projects will make them more engaged with the material for the school year, but too much freedom may lead to a lack of understanding and excerbate disinterest with the subject matter. A student required to make a project about introduction to world history will probably not know much about the subject during the summer; thus, he or she will be more likely to feel lost and anxious about having to create such project. The student may only research the topics he or she already understands, say American history, and neglect researching the roman empire or hundred years war that will make up most of the material in the class. Thus, the student has not grown in interest for the class, but has remained stagnant in both understanding and engagement with the new material of the year. Also, he or she may feel overwhelmed and cheat or simply turn in a project of bad quality in response to such a demanding project.
Instead of fostering engagement, throwing students into the deep end of a class with little teacher instruction may actually scare students from taking the class in the coming year.
Teacher-designed summer projects will provide the school the opporutunity to prepare students for their best chance of success in advanced classes and to teach students more information at a deeper level. These projects are schools' best hope in ensuring students do not sweat out all their knowledge in the summer heat. | 6 | 985 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
717DA64D319B | When the word summer comes to teenagers' minds, fun or sun is a common thought. Summer vacation is time away from education, but many schools require completion of projects over the break. The purpose of projects is to assure the continuation of learning. In order for students to maintain increasing growth, schools must consider the best form of education over the long-awaited break. There is controversy over whether summer projects should be teacher-designed or student-designed. For the best form of educational progression, summer projects should be teacher-designed because teachers have more experience, the projects have more structure, and academic performance increases.
Many people would argue that student-designed projects would appeal to other students better. Teenagers gravitate towards making friends through shared interests and ideas. Although the shared bond of age may seem like a reason for students to understand each other, everybody is unique in his or her own mind. The student that designed a summer project for a whole class may find that assignment more interesting than the others do. There is no guarantee of appeal for everyone in the class because of the various personality types in the world. Student-designed projects focus on what the creator is interested in, while teacher-designed projects tend to think of what interests the majority of students. Educators have been exposed to the different personalities they have taught, so they have an idea of what would equally appeal a class as a whole.
For the creation of a summer project, teachers have more experience with a wide-range of students. Whenever teenagers attend school, their objective is to achieve an academic diploma while maintaining a social life. They have not considered how all of their peers think and learn. Teachers are trained to create lesson plans that suit most of the students in a school. All educators need to obtain a degree before they can go into the workplace. Most of them have completed a course of psychology or sociology to better understand the behaviors of young adults. With years of experience academically and in the workplace, teacher are more likely to succeed in creating a project that fits a majority of students.
Teacher-designed summer projects would have more structure for an easier learning experience. Along with academic and behavioral experience, teachers need organizational skills. They are well-adapted to a learning environment and have a multitude of deadlines each week. Educators become more aware of the average pace an assignment can be completed within a variety of students, which leads to a better determination of the workload for a summer project. Also, teachers are given a curriculum for a course at the beginning of each year from the school board. They can take into account what pupils need to know to be prepared for the following course. The information learned inside each course can be adjusted for what teachers think will help students succeed in future academics, while allowing teenagers to complete assignments at a reasonable pace.
An increase in academic progression occurs when projects are teacher-designed. Educational performance in students holds a high level of importance as statistics are recorded then reviewed each year. Schools are constantly looking for strategies of improvement. Teachers have access to more resources that can be provided for completion of the project, while student-designed projects solely rely on the creator's background knowledge of the subject or research online that may not be as reliable. The success rate increases for learners as the projects utilize the information needed in the future, rather than excess knowledge that is not useful. An expansion of achievements requires teacher format rather than student creation.
The making of teacher-designed projects improves academics as the experience level is higher in teachers, assignments contain more organization, and success increases within students. Teachers have workplace experience with different types of behaviors, so they can create a project that will interest many students. Also, educators plan out a reasonable workload for students to complete while including entertainment. With the high amount of knowledge and resources teachers have, students can reach a greater potential of educational progression. Teachers are the most selfless people as their career is to help others grow without much incentive. When people advocate to maximize educators' training and experience, by having them design assignments, it will assist society in building a better future for later generations. | 6 | 713 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
F38992AEE65A | Many schools require students to complete summer projects or assignments over summer break to ensure that they continue to learn during their break. In this case the projects that are assigned over break should be student designed because students are more likely to do them, they can design something outside of the classroom, and will learn skills from designing their own projects.
Firstly, if summer homework is assigned students are not likely to begin that homework until school is right around the corner again; at the point the only purpose the homework has is to refresh the students' memory. However, if projects are put in place of homework then the student will be more likely to start earlier in the summer. Additionally, if students design their own projects then they will instantly be more likely to do them, especially if they are allowed to pick a topic that interests them. For instance, at Generic_School there is one notorious class that gives summer homework. The way the teacher incentivizes doing the homework is by having a quiz within the first week of school on the summer homework. This is an unproductive way of going about this because the student now has a boring textbook that he must trudge through, plus if the student has high anxiety then they will worry the whole summer effectively making their "break" useless. If the teacher was to let the students pick a topic within chemistry and then research on their own then students wouldn't stress because they can pick a topic that truly interests them. Continuing with this example there are many subjects within chemistry that would be interesting to students such as chromotagraphy or the way molecules react to temperatures, reactivity in water, etc. Students would be more productive or excited and less worried about their summer project.
Another possible benefit from letting students design their own projects is that they could choose something that is not traditionally taught within their core classes. The student would still be learning even if they are not planning on taking that class or is currently taking it. A student from the Generic_School was able to design and test an experiment while working for UVA over the summer. The student's project was about testing the effects of bacteria on a certain type of plant, yet the same student has not taken AP Biology and does not intend to do so in his senior year. When students design their projects they would be able to be creative and come up with something that would be relevant to their own interests. The projects could also force them to build connects in the world as they search for a place to conduct their experiment or resources that would help them. Students could reach out to places like UVA or research facilities or teachers in the school that they don't have for knowledge about their project.
Finally, many people worry that if students are allowed to create their own projects then they would be completely pointless, or have no benefit. That worry is not necessarily true; even if the students' project does not have a real world application or a use as soon as they finish, the project still has value. Designing and completing these projects show students what it is like to go through this process from start to end. No matter what the outcome of the project is it still serves it's primary function; to keep kids learning over the summer. Some of the most famous science experiments don't work, these help future scientists decipher what will work. If students need to continue to learn over the summer it should be in a free way, this way students are allowed to explore options they might consider going into after school but don't have the opportunity to pursue during school. Students also need a break, they need time to relax and not worry about school that way they can come back refreshed.
Schools that require summer projects to be done should allow their students to use their creativity and choose a project that interests them, even if the subject isn't one of their classes. Student designed projects would lead to a higher completion rate,a broader span of subjects within projects, and whatever the outcome the student would learn skills to help them in the future. In the end, schools that let students design their projects would see a continuance in learning over the summer ensuring the main reason for assigning a project in the first place. Students keep learning during their break. | 6 | 755 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
0F8DF7342EF8 | With my drooping eyes, aching head, and numbing hands I was unable to function in school due to endless nights of studying. I felt like I was an emotionless doll who only knew how to work and never stopped for a simple bathroom break. As teachers gave me more assignments, I thought I would never stop working like a factory worker in a large assembly line, doing the same action repeatedly. However, there came a time when I was able to take charge, thus, giving me the ability to breathe and take control. Although some may believe otherwise, summer projects should be student-designed because the project will be created to fit students' busy schedule and will give students a chance to create a project based on their interest.
Like all creatures, humans have a limited number of days before they die, causing humans to busy themselves to reach their goals before their inevitable death. By giving students the ability to create their own projects during the summer, they can produce a project that can accommodate to their busy summer schedule. For instance, last summer, I was gifted the chance to volunteer at summer camps, create outreach programs for my robotics club and travel with my youth group. I had a few days in the summer where nothing was planned and I could relax at home, but, those days were mostly spent working on my summer assignments; Even with my hard work, I was unsuccessful when trying to complete my summer assignments. By giving students the ability to create their summer project, students are able to adjust the time needed for their project so they can manage their time easily,especially teens with summer jobs. Another example is my cousin, Generic_Name, when he was in high school he struggled with his online summer projects because he traveled to China the entire summer, causing him to have no internet access to certain sites banned by China. When he came back to America, school had already started, causing him to be behind from everyone in his class. If students were to create the project, Generic_Name could have been given his assignment early and completed it before he went to China instead of having his teacher post the assignment during a certain time period in the summer. Moreover, giving students that ability to plan out their summer better and managing their time wisely.
Similar to food, humans need to feed their fiery passions in order for them to develop into leaders who enjoy their craft and work constantly to improve it. As young teens grow into adulthood they will produce their own aspirations, therefore, by having students create their summer project they will be able to base their projects based on their interests. Ludwig Van Beethoven, one of music's most prominent classical composer struggled in life because of his hearing loss, as a passionate musician, he did everything in his power to play music, even laying the piano down onto the floor so he could hear the notes. By constantly playing and composing, Beethoven was able to develop his music skills, later, making him an inspiration to all musicians. Similar to Beethoven, giving students the opportunity work on their interests by creating their own summer project, it will fulfill their passions and encourage students to follow their goals. My friend Generic_Name is passionate about programming and creating apps, however, this year he feels disinterested in computer science class, because it is not challenging enough for him. Therefore, making him doubt his love for computing and his goal to one day become a programmer for a large company. One day, he received an email from a small company asking him to participate in a project that would challenge his programming skills, helping Generic_Name reignite his love for programming. By giving students the ability to design their project they would be able to further study the subjects they love and eventually evolve that passion into a career.
Some may say that students are lazy and if they were to have control over their own summer projects they will produce easy projects that will not prepare them for the upcoming year. Since this generation have students who have access to devices that makes life too easy for them. While understandable if a project is designed by a student it does not mean the students themselves will be grading the project. Since students are designing their project, there is still a rubric to follow and a teacher to grade it, so students, fearing a terrible grade will give their full effort in achieving a high grade to start the year off. For instance, I was given the power to create my own project about a book I had read during the tenth grade. students were able to choose the way they wanted to present the book, letting students have the chance to procrastinate and use little energy for this project. But the teacher still graded the project, giving the lazy students low grades and the efficient ones a high grade. Moreover, students the chance to create their own work, they will create better projects that will show off their fruitful efforts.
Overall, students should have power over summer projects because by having the power to make one's own project young teens will get to have a small taste of freedom and independence. Helping future leaders learn to value the ideals of an individualistic society where they can help others gain the of justified freedom. Making the world more hopeful and happy, which is everyone's ultimate goal. Besides, this projects give anxious teens worrying about their future a chance for them make projects that could help their developing interest, helping them understand their purpose in life. Creating more passionate and independent workers that could impact the world by creating new technology or helping socially. So please, reflect and think about giving the today's youth some independence, so they can help make the future a brighter than before. | 6 | 991 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
229CBC81F9B7 | Throughout the duration of time, education has been a prime characteristic of the structure of society. As time progressed, the education system has changed such that it is more ideal for people in society. For example, in the early 1900s, the idea of summer breaks was introduced in the American education system. A summer break can be defined as a time in which students and teachers in the public education system get a 2-3 month grace period of not attending school. During this time, there is a common trend for teachers assign homework for students to complete for the next annual school year. Although some may argue that these summer assignments should be designed by students, summer assignments must be teacher designed because the teacher knows the content better than a student, it retains the student's memory efficiently, and students are prepared for the next academic year.
Summer assignments must be teacher designed so that the memory of the student is exercised and retained. It is very common for students to become lazy over the summer; by making summer assignments student created, there is entitlement for students to create a summer assignment in which there is not much efficiency or work, for the sole purpose of being lazy over summer vacation. Although, if the teacher created the summer assignment, this allows for the teacher to create an efficient assignment that will properly teach the content. In addition, it holds the student accountable to do efficient and beneficiary work so that their memory stays retained. Retaining a student's memory is needed because it is important that students remember everything from the last school year to help them in the upcoming one. If assignments are student designed, an inefficient assignment will most likely be created due to students not wanting to do any work over the break. By doing this, the student's memory will most likely not be retained because their brain is not thinking the same as it would be if the assignment was teacher designed. This can be seen as a negative ideal. For example,
Science Daily reported that the common student will loose 33 percent of their memory during the summer break if not exercised. By giving a teacher made assignment, the brain will be exercised properly which will lead to less significant or no memory loss.
It is ideal to make the summer assignments teacher designed because the teacher has knowledge of the content that will be in the class. This is important because the teacher will know what exactly to put on the assignment because he/she can make students practice important topics and/or common weak points that students have with the content. If the assignments are student designed, they wouldnt know what to put on the assignment since they dont teach the class. Then, therefore, wouldnt be able to efficiently make an assignment because students are not aware of weak points that need to be practiced, and/or important topics in the content. In addition, by making the summer assignment designed by teachers, teachers are able to give students a background as to what the content and structure of the class will be like since they teach it. If assignments were to be student designed, they wouldnt know how to efficiently make a summer assignment because they wouldnt have the amount of knowledge about the class that the teacher exhibits. Students don't teach the class, so they don't have an idea of how the class will be taught and how the content will look like. Furthermore, summer assignments that are teacher assigned can be seen as beneficial. For example, in the memoir
"I Am Malala",
Malala, a 15 year old girl describes her summer break, and explains to her readers how she uses her summer assignments that are teacher designed to better understand the content and stay ahead of the class.
By making the assignment teacher designed, the academic life of the student has a bright start for the future. During the school year, students are used to a 7 hour work period. Although work amount is changed drastically over the summer, it is important that students are given teacher made assignments because students are used to teacher made assignments already; so why change the structure for the summer? If students were to make the assignments, it would ruin the routine that students are already used to. By making the assignment teacher designed, it allows the teacher to help get the student ready for the upcoming year, and also getting them back into the baseline work routine that the common student is used to. It also allows students to see how the next year school year will look like and what to expect. This allows a higher success rate and prepares students, because they have more time to get ready and what to expect. In fact, many students enjoy teacher made summer assignments. For example, in a survey conducted at Generic_School in Generic_City Virginia, the student body took a vote on if they enjoyed summer assignments. 57 percent of the students said they didnt mind summer assignments, while the other 43 percent were against them. The general consensus is that making summer assignments teacher made will help students for the future.
Making summer assignments teacher created is important for all students. This is because the teachers know what to put on it, the students are prepared for future, and students' memory will be in tact. Teachers have experience with students and the topic, so they will know what to put on the assignment. Students will be prepared for the future because they know what to expect content wise since the teacher made it. By making the summer assignment teacher made, students will not have the option to be lazy and will be held accountable to do efficient work over the summer period. | 6 | 966 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
568CD1F277F9 | For students, summer tends to be a time of relaxation and laziness. No longer worried about waking up early to go to school or staying up late to finish homework, kids are free to do as they wish for about 2 months. Therefore, some students get annoyed when teachers assign projects over the summer, as they believe that they should not have to work at all during that time. The solution to this problem is not to remove summer learning entirely, though - it is important for the student to retain information over the summer so that they will not have to re-learn everything the following year. An ideal middle ground, therefore, would be letting the student design their own summer project. While teacher-designed summer projects would follow the curriculum of the school more, student-designed summer projects would be more ideal because they would give students the motivation to work on their own and foster the crucial skill of independence in them.
Having students create their own summer projects may increase their desire to work on it, as projects would be tailored to each student's individual interests. Children would be much more likely to work on an assignment if it is about something they are interested in, not something they are being forced to do. In addition, they could start thinking about their summer project before summer even arrives, rather than waiting for the teacher to come up with an assignment for them. This gives them more time to come up with ideas and work. Finally, each student spends their summer differently. Some older students are busy doing internships or college tours, while others are more free. Having students create their own projects based on their abilities (which students themselves have a good idea of) and personal time constraints would ensure that each student produces the best quality work that they can. Students would not feel like they are overwhelmed with work, because they are the ones who dictate how much work they have to do. A beneficial side effect of this is that while some students may be able to spend more time working on their project, it will give the teacher a general sense of each student's capabilities and time management skills.
Not only would student-made summer projects increase their desire to work, but it would also make them more independent, a necessary skill for all children but particularly for those in high school. Many students in high school would be preparing to go to college soon, and it is important that they learn how to be independent before they leave so that they are able to thrive in college, as they should. Students will not always have someone to create "projects" or learning experiences for them; college in particular makes students learn much of the material outside of class. Consistently giving students teacher-created projects and assignments throughout elementary, middle, and high school makes students believe that they only need to do what the teacher gives them to learn the material and pass the class. However, the same system does not apply in college - professors will not "spoon-feed" students information, they expect them to learn it on their own, however they are comfortable doing so. Giving students opportunities to increase their creativity and figure out how they learn best, even for something as small as a summer project, would ensure that they start becoming independent before it is necessary for them to have fully developed the skill. This would eventually lead to the student being able to succeed not only in college, but beyond, such as when they get a job.
While it is obvious that there are benefits to having summer projects be teacher-created, a major one being that it stays in line with the school curriculum, having student-created summer projects would give more long-term benefits by increasing a student's motivation to work and making them more independent. Teachers may be able to ensure that students follow a certain rubric or include certain information in their project, but the main job of a teacher is to make sure that a student learns. Today's school system has taken much of the joy out of learning by making students focus more on grades than the actual material being taught, and forcing them to learn to pass the tests instead of learning because they want to. Admittedly, there are some students who can only be taught through force, as they do not want to learn by themselves. For such students, it may be more beneficial to have them to teacher-created summer projects. Overall, however, having students design their summer projects may bring back the joy of learning in them, and making students want to learn is much more important than them getting a 10 out of 10 on a provided rubric. | 6 | 799 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
626DA66E75D9 | Creativity of the mind is brewed from life experiences and knowledge. In some schools summer projects are assigned to students for various academic or elective based classes, these projects should be soley designed by the students and not by the teacher. Teacher-designed projects can lead to an interference with a students out of school life, be restrictive, and result in a higher lack of motivation.
Summer projects have a negatively connotated aspect attached to them that has continued on for many generations and people. Most students and classmates dread to hear the words "summer project" mostly due to the fact that it takes time away in which they could have been using to initiate in other things to benefit their lives or even just enjoy themselves. As it is, teachers lack a general scope of what a typical student can accomplish within their summer, as everyone pertains to their own activities during that time. Having the project written and designed by a number of students, or even just by themselves,would give a better outlook on the reasonable things to be accomplished where a teacher only expresses expectations which sometimes cannot be met. It is easy to set unreasonable expectations when the person setting them themself is not attuned to do it. Having the project designed by students could lead to much more accomplishment than expected as well. It is easy to assume students would try to make the project easier on themselves but just because the project is student designed doesn't mean it couldn't be regulated or have certain requirements given to them by others.
Each student is unique with different qualities and strengths. By making a teacher design the project it ultimatley takes away from a students expression and creativity because of the specific standards given to them. Expression is an important quality when it comes to projects. Not only does it make a student think more, but it also enhances their learning because they can express their ideas in different forms. It gives them more room to come up with their own ideas. A student-designed summer project would give the students a vast possibility to individually express themselves. When a teacher becomes the sole leader of making a project each project turned in by the class is the same but with different aspects, like color for example, and don't require the student to be creative. This in turn could eventually dull their levels of creativity and expression that could have benefitted them highly in their lives later on. Overall, a student-designed project could positively enhance the students and their educations more than that of which a teacher designed in all entirety. Projects are given to a student over the summer to retain knowledge and learn, if a teacher then leaves them no room to grow then the whole project defeats its own purpose altogether.
Many students lack motivation. Whether it involves school or simple activities outside of school, most students find themselves procrastinating or not doing what they set out to do at all. This is made evident by the amount of students who do not do their homework or even classwork and is a stunningly large amount no matter the school spectated and monitored. Students already deal with piles of homework or even other work given to them outside of school by their family, friends, or even job. Giving another assignment to a student, over the summer at that, will likely not be completed. By letting a student design their own summer project, not only does it increase the productivity of the project, but it aslo motivates them to complete it, or at the very least put some work into it. When a student designs a project, they base it mainly on what they would find interesting to work on rather than when a teacher assigns them something they tend to have no interest in at all. In comparison, if a person were to get a job and dread going to work everyday, it is likely that they would eventually quit; whereas, if a person finds their job interesting or enjoyable they are more likely to continue and pursue that job. The same could be said for a summer project. Teachers focus specificly on getting academic topics as the main focus rather than if it would actually be entertaining or fun for a student to do and take part in. I believe this says a lot about why students should be the ones to design it for themselves.
Altogether, the preference between teacher-designed projects and student-designed projects weighs heavily towards the students. Giving a student the opportunity to enjoy their break from school, letting them express themselves, and giving them something they actually find interesting is an important part of summer projects most do not consider. Students are more than capable of completing their own projects and retaining their knowledge by something they themselves designed rather than an authoritative figure. | 6 | 819 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
ADE4DD8CF781 | On an uneventful summer morning, I sat on my couch without having the intention to do anything; it was over one-hundred degrees outside, and my usual rounds of video games had gotten stale. My summer project, which I have been ignoring since summer break started, began taunting me from across the room. "What does it mean by 'Student-Designed Summer Project'? It would have been better if the teacher just gave us a pre-planned project," I pondered. Teachers should assign summer projects with the intention of creating the rubric and grading them to a curriculum; this ensures that summer projects promote learning, stay structured, and provide educational overlap.
When schools require student to complete projects over the summer, they do this with the intention that it will promote learning outside of school; this prevents complacency and maintains a steady work ethic in students. I exemplify this because although I procrastinate until the last week of summer to complete my project, the sudden workload prepares me for the assignments that school will begin to assign when summer break ends. The project, designed by teachers, ensures that, as a student, I will be able to learn the intended learning target and apply it in the classroom and other learning environments. Although it can be argued that summer projects have no real application to the learning process, that reasoning, however, is flawed. This can be proved by the knowledge that summer projects are a valuable lesson that even without school, there will always be work that has to be done throughout the year, regardless of the season.
More often than not, teachers plan their classes and projects ahead of time to ensure that everything is structured properly which will allow teaching and curriculum standards to be met with ease. More often than not, summer projects that teachers design will always have a solid learning and work structure. However, in the case of student designed summer projects, there will be great flaws in the process of completing their projects. Similarly to how structure is vital to a project, it is also vital for building and construction. In the 1980s various railways in the mountain were built on uneven and crumbling ground. Furthermore, upon having a weak base, the supports, which were made of wood at the time, couldn't handle the trains traveling with a full load of coal and raw materials. Although the argument is weak, some may say that projects can be completed without proper structure. More often than not, designing and completing a project without a properly throughout structure can lead to confusion and the inability to complete said project. Furthermore, projects are required to be structured properly to full test the capabilities of the student.
Learning will always use co-requisite and pre-requisite knowledge in a process known as educational overlap; teacher designed summer projects are a perfect example of the various applications educational overlap can be used for. Throughout elementary school, I have been assigned summer reading projects made by the teacher that were to be turned in on the first day of school after break. I used skills that I learned in class before summer break and applied the skills that I had learned in the comprehension portion of that project to my English classes throughout the years. Some may say that teacher based summer projects don't provide educational overlap because during the summer break, not all kids may remember the lessons taught in school. However, this can be refuted with the fact that teachers design the summer projects to reinforce previously taught lessons and apply new ways of comprehension that students will be able to understand and apply in educational situations.
The ability to recall previously learned knowledge prior to summer break, maintain a structured learning path, and the ability to learn new knowledge are skills obtained and mastered through summer projects designed by teachers. By being able to complete a project made by a teacher, away from a learning environment, students can take their abilities to be able to continue learning. Furthermore, students can hope to use their skills in out-of-school applications such as careers that require hard work and dedication. | 6 | 688 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
B09064197CEF | Why is education so important for our generation and the many generations to come? Education has a major role in helping students become more aware and understanding of the world. Students study hard all year long and work on assignments that help them develop many different skills, as well as assignments that will help them gain more knowledge as they get older. In order for schools to help students maintain their learning habits, so that they come back to school prepared, they give out projects for students to work on during the summer. Now the question here is, should the schools hand out teacher-designed projects or student-designed projects? Schools that require summer projects should allow the projects to be student-designed as it lets the students showcase their creative abilities and it is more manageable than a teacher-designed project.
Firstly, a student-designed project will help the students gain creative intelligence. Nowadays, many students do not like being forced to do assignments or projects that they have no interest in. It can cause them to lose focus and do poorly on the project/assignment. To have the ability to implement their own ideas and thoughts into a project would be way more efficient than a project where the students get little to no creative freedom. For example, if a student is extremely interested in music, they can use what they are passionate about and create a song for his/her summer project. This project will enhance the student's knowledge on music and let them have a chance to build their skills while having a good time. Since it is also something they like to do, the student will put more effort into it unlike a teacher-designed project where they will be less motivated to do a good job. Moreover, for students who do not usually explore their creative side, the student-designed project will be a great opportunity for them to be able to improve in that area. So through research and their own abilities, many students will learn new things about themselves that they did not know before. Overall, creativity is key to good projects and with student-designed projects comes creative freedom, which interests students way more than a normal project would.
Secondly, student-designed projects are more manageable. During the summer, many students tend to go on vacations. If the school a student was attending, was to give out a teacher-designed project for the summer and the place the student went on a trip to, did not have the tools needed to complete the project, then everything would be a total disaster. Teacher-designed projects can sometimes be too specific in what they want which can be hard to deal with during the summer. If it was a student-designed project then the student could work with what they have instead of being stuck in the middle of a crisis. Additionally, students have better time management with student-designed projects. Since the project is purely based off of the students interests, they will be more motivated to do the project on time and not the night before school begins (which is what many teacher-designed projects lead to). Student-designed projects have more flexibility and uniqueness than teacher-designed projects.
Lastly, some people may argue that a teacher-designed project would be better because it keep students from doing a project that is too easy or a project that makes no sense. Actually, a student-designed project is more difficult than it seems. Through a teacher-designed project, students are given rules and specific directions for their project that will help them focus on the research of about only one topic, but as for student-designed projects there is so many topics you can choose from that it can be difficult to come up with the main idea for your project. So no, it is not as easy as some may think and requires just as much effort (maybe even more) as a teacher-designed project. Furthermore, the claim that through a student-designed project, "students might create projects that make no sense", can also be said about teacher-designed projects. A student who is given a project from their teacher can also turn in their project and it can make no sense. So overall, student-designed projects are just as challenging as teacher-designed projects.
To provide students with a period of time to reflect and build on their own ideas is how we can make them become more engaged in education. Through the school year, students receive enough assignments that are teacher-designed, so to break out of this tradition and try something new will definitely help students develop new skills. This is also very beneficial for teachers who have to grade the projects because instead of looking through different projects that all have similar main ideas or topics, they will be looking at all types of topics and won't get bored of grading the same things over and over again. Student-designed projects help students gain creative intelligence, are more interesting to students, are easier to manage, and can be just as challenging as teacher-designed projects. | 6 | 833 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
68C0524D102B | It is time to rethink traditional education: Some schools require students to complete teacher-designed summer projects to ensure that students continue to learn throughout their break. However, these summer projects should instead be designed by students because students will be more invested in their project if they design it themselves, it will allow students to think outside of the box, and it will lead to a more productive academic year.
Students should design their own summer projects because it will enable them to be more invested in their project. Whenever a student is assigned a project by their instructor, they usually attempt to complete the project as quickly and effortlessly as possible. Obviously, the goal of a summer project is to enrich student knowledge and improve academic continuity. Therefore, thrusting a graded assignment onto a student's shoulders during their well-deserved break time can lead to a decrease in student interest and effort (especially if students have no choice in deciding the project) and destroy a student's academic drive before the next school year even begins. On the other hand, if students were given the opportunity to develop and plan their project themselves, it will lead to increased student interest and effort because the student will most likely choose a project that interests them. For example, if a student is aspiring to be a front-end website designer and enrolls in a science class with a teacher-designed summer project that demands all students adhere to the same standard of creating a printed booklet on any element from the periodic table (such as Neon), then the future-web-designer student will quickly lose interest in the project and will attempt to complete the project with as little effort as possible. However, if the student was able to design their own summer project for this hypothetical science class, they will most likely choose a project that aligns with their hobby/interest of web design and build an amazing website detailing the history and uses of Neon, rather than a mediocre black-and-white printed booklet with information paraphrased from Wikipedia. In this manner, the project will still align to the core subject curriculum, but will allow the student much more space to explore their interests and continue learning with increased effort. Also, because there are multiple students in a class (each with unique interests and hobbies), this virtually eliminates the risk of plagiarism or cheating, since no two student projects (or interests) will be exactly the same.
Students should have the ability to design summer projects themselves because they will be able to think outside of the box. Consider the previous example of the hypothetical future-web-designer-student. If that student was required to create a printed booklet for science class over the break, they will most likely do just that (and nothing more) because the teacher-designed project guidelines limit them. However, if the student had the opportunity to develop their own project, it would enable them to be more creative and thus think outside of the box. Being required to type and print out a booklet with information on any one element on the periodic table (in double-spaced Times New Roman font with normal margins) confines students to making sure that their project adheres strictly to the rubric, and thus limits student creativity and ability to think outside of the box. If students were instead instructed to demonstrate their knowledge of an element on the periodic table using any means necessary, and informed that their grade was not dependent on a rubric, but on effort, then teachers will begin to see higher-quality submissions.
If students are allowed to design their own summer projects, it will lead to a more productive academic year. This is simply because students will feel at ease knowing that their summer project will not be boring (because they will be designing their own projects) and will have a good first impression of their instructor as an individual who values quality (effort) over quantity (point-based rubrics). If students arrive on their first day of school with this positive impression of the class, it will enable them to be productive from day one.
Some may argue that it is impossible to grade a student based on effort. However, it is easy to tell whether a student puts effort into something. Similar to the real-word workforce (where employee competence is not determined by standards or grades, but rather by effort and the work they produce and any unexpected problems that they solve), instructors should be able to tell if a student's work is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and should grade accordingly. Furthermore, if a student designs their own project, the student will most likely present their project using a medium that they are most comfortable with. In this case, most student work should be exemplary due to the fact that students are able to choose their project, rather than the project being forced upon them. Additionally, some may also argue that if students design their summer projects, then the project will not align to core curriculum standards. Fortunately, this is simply not the case because there are many methods to ensure that a student's project meets certain minimum requirements. The most practical method would be for each student to set up an appointment with the instructor during their free time (such as a student study hall block or instructor planning period) before the summer break begins (either in-person or virtually, using a video conferencing tool) so that the teacher can be aware of the student's plans and advise the student on ways to improve their project plan. At the end of the day, schools are preparing students for a real-world workplace environment, and schoolwork should reflect that.
Students should design their own summer projects because it will lead to increased student interest, creativity, and productivity. | 6 | 957 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
D39D282DE3FE | The three warmest months of the year are considered as time off from school for students in the U.S and other countries. Even though these students aren't in school, they are still required to learn during their break. However, in many schools, the students are assigned a boring, uneventful activity that they feel as if they have no choice but to do. Reasons such as this are why students should be able to design their own summer projects; these tasks that they create for themselves can be used as an outlet for creativity, show signs of independence, and they can be used as a way of teaching responsibility.
One reason students should be able to design their own summer assignments is that they can be used as creative outlets. Many private performance arts schools require that their students create an art piece that corresponds with their fields of study. For example, photography and art students are told that they are to paint, photograph, design, etc anything they wish over break; that they have complete say in what they do. But, whatever work that they submit will be entered into their school portfolio (which is a collection of a students or artists best work). Being given free range of what they can do gives the student the chance to be as creative as they can be. And in many cases such as these, the pieces that the students are able to be the most creative on are some of their best work.
Another reason students should be able to create their own summer projects is because it can a be sign of independence. Being given an assignment and being told that they have to do it in a specific way can be boring to a teenager, especially one going through their rebellious phase. Yet, if a teenager were given the chance to make their own choices, it would give them the opportunity to test their indepencence. Such as being able to choose what they get to do for their project and how they decide to do it. This small, simple opportunity can show a student what it's like to test themselves and have complete control over what they do instead of being told.
Finally, students would benefit from designing their own summer break assignments because of the responsibility that it would ensue. Summer break is thought of as a time for fun and relaxation for just about all students, especially high schoolers. So the idea of being assigned piles of homework or a large project can cause a student to either want to shutdown or just completely avoid it all together. However, if a student were able to choose what they do for their work, in many cases, it will cause them to actually want to do it. It can make the student stop and think about what they have to work on, and then they will (typically) either stop what theyr'e doing to work on it, or they will set aside a certain time that they'll do it. The thought of "oh, I have to go do my work" will cross their mind because they actually want to do it, then causing them to make their work a priority.
Now, it is well know that many students need the structure that comes along with the teacher-designed projects because it can be harder for some to come up with ideas, but more often than not, that is not the case. Students leave school for three months just to be loaded down with extra homework; saying that they have no choice but to do it will either cause a teenager to go stir crazy, or they become extremely unmotivated to do any of it at all. However, if given the chance to make their own decisions on how to do their project, a student would feel more motivated to do the work because it's their choice on what's being done. All in all, it would be more beneficial for students to create their own projects rather than a mandetory, teacher-designed one due to the sheer facts that it would be a way for students to be more creative, it would give the students the chance to be more independent, and finally, it can be a way to teach students how to be more responsible. | 6 | 718 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Black/African American | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
880EFB9368DA | There is the argument whether student-designed projects or teacher-designed projects during academic breaks are better. When a teacher designs a project, it many times will not be feisable for a student going on a far-away vacation, enjoyable to the student's personal interests, or about what the student would like to study. Projects that students design can indulge into a subject they enjoy. Students learn better when they are studying something they love or relate to more. Simply having to design their own project will insure the student does their best work because they're studying something they love.
Generic_Name was given the oppotunity over her break to write a research paper on anything she wanted to spend the two weeks researching! Since she was at the beach and loved watching the seagulls swoop for cheese poofs and hop around, she wanted to learn more about them and write her paper on them. Generic_Name spent all of the time she devoted to her project outside, under an umbrella, watching the seagulls while she wrote! This allowed her to put in her own first hand observations of the actions of the silly birds! Generic_Name scored a 97 on her paper and she was praised for her first hand acounts of their actions and behaviors. Had she been given a research project designed by a teacher on something else, like Gandi or Italy, she wouldn't have connected with the topic in the same way, and would've been miserable the whole time writing it.
Generic_Name was tasked with bringing back a project ona different culture after his break, but his parents sprung on him they were going on a cruise and he wouldn't be allowed to take his laptop with him. Since the paper was due the day he got back, he had no choice but to spend the days before his trip in his room, on his computer writing to get it all done before he left. He had no time to spend with his friends and had to cancel plans because of this. His teacher, while grading the essay, noted there were many spelling errors and it seemed "very rushed," and ended up giving him only a 73 for the project. Had he been given the oppotunity to design his own project, he would've had more time to enjoy his break and could've worked on it on the cruise, allowing him to keep his plans and spend time with his friends. The poor grade he recieved was just a slap in the face after the stress he'd been under about it.
Generic_Name was tasked by her teacher to write about the process of learning and to gain a new skill over the break, but she had to come up with a schedule on how to learn it, and pick what she wanted to learn. Generic_Name had always wanted to learn the piano, so she picked just that. She did research online about how long it takes to learn the piano, and signed up for an online course. Her goal was to be able to play a simple song by the end of the break. For the project, she tracked her progress in a journal, wrote about why she was learning different skills in the order she was, and how it was helping her understand. Finally, at the end of the break, she recorded herself playing a piece slightly harder than she originally expected, and submitted that with her project. Her teacher was so proud she played the recording for the class and everyone clapped! This student designed project definetly ensured she continued larning, and she ended up finding a new passion because of it; something that likely wouldn't happen if she was simply given a project to complete by her teacher.
Not all students are like Generic_Name though, and some need more structure. Generic_Name was one such student. He was given the topic of writing about an event in history and how it effected the world today, and how its effects have effected his own life. Generic_Name's probelm was that he had no clue how to relate history to his own life, and because of the lack of other guidance on it, he spent a lot of time sitting at his desk, staring at an empty Google Doc. When it came time to submit his project, Generic_Name only had a poorly written introduction and first paragraph. He quickly scribbled out two more, but they were riddled with errors, poor punctuation, and mistypes. He submitted the essay, and when he got back to school, he saw a 49 in red pen with the words "See Me" writen under it. He just needed more stucture and directions. A student designed project was not for Generic_Name.
Teachers who want their students to engage more in their work should give them projects they design themselves. It will really show who's willing to step up to the plate and work hard for the good grade when they have to do more work with fewer guidelines. | 6 | 832 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Identified as having disability |
D443FEFFDEAF | Imagine having a dark cloud always forming over you even in happy situations. For most students, this cloud is formed over the whole summer break. This is because teacher are now creating projects for students to complete over this time and ruins the students relaxation and fun. Though on paper is makes sense to give students work so they won't forget, not letting the student have a say in how may even ruin their summer break experience. But, letting a student design their own project is a great idea because it can be personalized, the student will remember, and the project will be very effective.
Personalizing has now become one of the most popular characteristics in modern culture. There are now personalized cars, shoes, clothing, and many more. With this new characteristic coming into play, is it possible for schoolwork to be personalized as well? The answer is yes because if the student designs their own project then they would be able to pick the type of project right for them. An example of this would be that one student loves to read books, so they decide to create a project based around books they read over the summer. A project would be different for another student who loves to play outside and is not a fan of reading, this student would be more enthusiastic about creating a project based around the different wildlife they have seen over the summer. With student customization in a school project, students would want to engage in their project fully over the summer because they designed a project that fits their own interests and be unique.
One problem that goes into summer projects is that most students will forget about it until the last few weeks of break. But if a student were to design their own project to do over the summer than the project would be harder for them to forget about. This is because if a student were to spend a few weeks thinking about possible ideas and designing the project. The project would be stuck in their mind like glue. It is proven by psychologists that if you think about something or do something over and over again it will be harder to forget and this would be the same if it were a project. Since that student were to think about that project while designing it for a long time, when summer hits the idea of finishing that project would never leave the students mind. Having the student design their own project is beneficial because the student would be able to remember the project over break.
One argument that people do bring up with student-designed projects is that the student will create a project that is going to be easy to finish. While is this a good point, however, this problem would be easily fixed by the teacher having to approve of each student's project idea. If that teacher were to think that the project is easy than all she would have to do is tell that student what the project would need more of. This technique is different than the teacher-designed projects because although the teacher may ask for greater rigor in a project before approval, that project is still solely designed by the student and the student would decide how to make a project rigorous for her approval. This approval technique is very effective because it not only allows for the student to create their own project, but the teacher is also able to make sure that the student creates a project that is effective.
With these ideas in mind, the idea of having the student design their own summer project sound incredible. Every project would be personalized to the students interests and style, the student would not forget about the project, and the little teacher involvement would still create an effective project. Over summer break every student is given the choice to do whatever they want instead of school and this should also be applied with work. With a student-designed project, expect exquisite work that shows off a students personality, well thought out work, and effective learning from each student. | 6 | 689 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
2825E9B520B0 | At the end of the year, the only thing the students can focus on is the prospect of summer break - a time filled with laughter, bikinis, and the absence of school. Unfortunately, these dreams are dashed when the hated summer projects are assigned. The idea of these dull, time-consuming projects swallowing their break would make any student feel dreary. However, the only problem with assigned summer projects is that they are often nothing more than busy work. The solution is simple - if summer projects were tailor-made to excite and interest creative minds, they could transform from a boring chore to the most valuable experience in a student's life so far. So, we should allow students to pick their own summer projects according to their personal taste because the projects will be more creative and they will have many more positive effects on the students's lives; although some may disagree.
Although many view children as naive and unable to have in-depth ideas, children have an incredible talent for these skills. For instance, I have never met an adult that would be able to come up with a completely furnished fairy castle, a complex story arc involving multiple close shaves with terrifying villains, and an entire gown made only of tissue paper, glitter, and their mother's scarf; yet, I have witnessed children create these beautiful, nuanced universes in which they can completely lose themselves time after time. Clearly, children and teens are much more adaptive and able to create interesting, all-encompassing ideas than adults, so we might feel called to ask why it is assumed that students in school require adult supervision and help when creating something to study. This positive aspect of students' minds should be extended to school - especially summer projects. Students will happily spend the summer creating something centered around what they love most, be it graphic novels, painting, or the like.
Along this vein, not only will students be inclined to work on their projects if they are interested in them, they will also be prouder of the work they do. Personally, I have completed many projects that were assigned to drill the same information over and over; even if I am interested in a subject, it is extremely hard to be invested when I am drowning in monotony. However, when I am presented with a unique, self-directed project, my creative juices start flowing. For instance, I was recently tasked with designing a way to treat Cystic Fibrosis with Gene Therapy. I knew nothing about this treatment, however, I researched the subject and ended up creating an extremely interesting presentation that I am immensely proud of. When students are assigned interesting, challenging projects, they throw themselves into them and are able to create things they actually proud of.
In contrast, many would argue that, without the direction of teachers, students would flounder and could not even come up with an idea let alone research and design it. However, this does not take into account students' ability to adapt and flourish in challenging situations, or that the only reason these students haven't shown enthusiasm and creativity in teacher-assigned projects is that they have not been given the chance. No student will excel if their teacher treats them like they're incapable of intelligent ideas. I have seen so many smart and able students' lights dimmed by overprotective teachers who do not let them use their brains. For instance, a friend of mine has dyslexia, which makes classes were one has to focus on spelling or reading long texts very difficult for her. Because of this, she was kept behind in multiple classes when she was growing up despite the fact that she is incredibly smart. However, when she started attending highschool, people finally started giving her a chance, and she is now excelling in Latin and is a talented artist. Clearly, students are able to handle much more than they are given credit for, and should be allowed the freedom that comes with self-designed projects.
Obviously, inflexible teachers and unhelpful outlines only hinder a student's success by not letting them use their creativity to design something they love and can be proud of. Undoubtedly, summer projects should be student designed because they will foster creativity and give the students an immense sense of pride in their work. Furthermore, this principle could be extended to all areas of school because children are much more able, creative, adaptive, and impressive than our suffocating school system allows in certain areas. Given this freedom, our new generations can lead happier, healthier, and more creative lives. | 6 | 759 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
630FAD8A832E | Imagine it was a hot summer day and a student is at home complaining to their parents that they want to hang out with their friends. Instead, their parents refused and they had to stay home to do their summer project that was assigned by their teacher. This will result in the student becoming really stressed and sad because they won't be able to spend time with their friends during their summer break. Summer projects should be student-designed because students can choose what projects they are interested in, they will be able to retain the information more easily, and they will be able to have fun with their friends while doing these projects.
Summer projects should be student-designed because students can choose what projects they are interested in. My friend Generic_Name, who is a high school student, wants to becoming a pharmacist when she gets older. She has been telling me that she really wants to volunteer at a pharmacy for her summer project. This is because she is interested in helping others, while still learning about the health science aspect of medicines. This shows that Generic_Name is spending her summer wisely by choosing what she is interested in doing, and learning the information while at the pharmacy. It is important for Generic_Name to choose what she wants to do with her time during the summer since it could be beneficial for her. This is because she would rather learn useful information that will help guide her career path in the future, instead of making a poster about chemistry vocab terms that was assigned by her teacher, since she would probably be bored and not enjoy it. Furthermore my cousin Generic_Name, who is a junior in high school, wanted to make a sculpture that could be displayed at her school for her AP art class. She feels that choosing to make this art project could help her learn about the major concepts of building sculptures. This shows that Generic_Name is spending time in the summer doing what she loves to do, while still learning relevant information at the same time. Some may argue that summer projects should be teacher-designed because some students might be indecisive when choosing what they are interested in and want to do for their summer project. However, summer projects should be student-designed because even if they are indecisive, they will eventually choose a project that would definitely help them in the future and will enjoy doing as well.
Furthermore, summer projects should be student-designed because students will be able to retain the information more easily. My friend Generic_Name, wants to become a math teacher when she gets older because she loves being around kids, and doing fun math problems. During the summer, Generic_Name wants to volunteer as a math tutor for elementary school kids, and create a poster on what she learned from this experience for her summer project. This shows that she is choosing to do something she is really passionate for, so Generic_Name will most likely be happy to do this project and will retain the information easily. It is important for students to be able to retain information while doing something beneficial, like a project, because they could learn more things that they haven't learned before when they choose their own ideas for their project. Some may argue that summer projects should be teacher-designed because teachers will organize these assignments in a certain way for students to understand and memorize the information more easily. However, summer projects should be student-designed because if students enjoy what they are doing and learning over the summer, they are most likely to retain that information. This is because they tend to be more interested about the information they choose to learn, instead of a teacher assigning students to do a research paper of a famous math person for their project.
Lastly, summer projects should be student-designed because students will be able to have fun with their friends while doing these projects. My friends and I are interested in volunteering to become Chinese tutors for kids. We love the the language and helping younger kids, in order for these kids to expand their knowledge in Chinese. We decided it would be fun for all of us to do this summer project together, because it would be enjoyable for us and be a good learning experience. If we volunteer to become Chinese tutors, it shows that we are demonstrating our Chinese knowledge in the writing and speaking areas to these kids. It is important that we have fun in the summer, while still learning information that could be useful in our futures. This is because we only get a limited amount of time to spend time with friends and have a break from school. Some may argue that summer projects should be teacher-designed because they like when students work on projects by themselves, since students tend to be distracted if they work with friends. However, summer projects should be student-designed because students tend to like spending summers with friends, since during school they have less time to hang out. As a result if they get to choose their project, they will be able to have a chance to work with friends while continuing to learn in the summer.
Ultimately, summer projects should indeed be student-designed. After all, students can choose what projects they are interested in, they will be able to retain the information more easily, and students will be able to have fun with their friends while doing these projects. Many students should take action and let everyone know why it's best for students to be able to choose what they want to do during the summer, in order to continue learning, enjoy their summer, and benefit them in the future. Do teachers really understand the stress and anxiety they put on these students during summer from these projects they choose that will most likely not even help them? | 6 | 989 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
6198205BB70E | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during break. In doing this, students may be prepared for the upcoming year when they return to school from break. Many people believe that summer projects should be teacher-designed while others believe that they should be student-designed. Summer projects should be student-designed because of motivation, creativity, and productivity.
Students would have more motivation if their summer projects were designed by themselves. Besides in the summer, students spend most of the year under the authority of their teachers. If the project they design is on their own terms, they would have more motivation to actually complete it. Since they are no longer under the school's rule during the summer, students may feel more motivated to do their project instead of being forced to do so during the school year. Students would also have more motivation if their summer projects were student-designed because they would not be expected to meet the expectations of their teacher. If the student designs their summer project to their specific skill set, the student may be more motivated to complete the project because he or she is capable of reaching their own goals. Students would most likely turn in better work because they are not under the stress of their teachers' expectations. Because of this, students would have more motivation if their summer projects were student-designed,
Summer projects should be student-designed so that students may express their creativity. Without knowing it, teachers block students' yearn of creativity with their own preferences. If the summer project was teacher-designed, the teacher would provide a rubric that exemplifies the specific ways a teacher wants the project to be completed. In doing this, the teacher is not letting the student use their own creativity to complete their project while still follwoing the rubric, but in their own way.. Creativity should never be restricted by one's own personal opinion. Creativity surfaces better with a clear mind along with a clean slate allowing creativity to flow through. If the summer project was student-designed, the entire project itself would be created from one's creativity and their expression through it. For these reasons, summer projects should be student-designed so that students may express creativity freely.
The productivity that a student dedicates to a summer project would increase if the project was student-designed instead of being teacher-designed. Productivity heightens when the task is something one actually wants to be doing. If the teacher is somewhat forcing the task, it will make students back away from what they need to complete. Since the student them self is coming up with the project, they must have more motivation to do so which makes the entire process much more productive. Especially during the summer, productivity may decrease because students are no longer in the correct head space that schoolwork requires. If the project is teacher- designed, then the productivity relating to the project will continue to dwindle as well. If the project is student-designed, the time and effort put into the project would heighten which would increase the productivity of the project as well. Hence my reasoning as to why summer projects should be student-designed rather than having them be teacher-designed.
Motivation, creativity, and productivity would all increase if students' summer projects were student-designed. If students were able to use their own creativity to create a project to be completed in the summer, it would not only increase students' motivation and productivity during the completion of the project, it would also decrease the amount of stress students tackle because of their teachers' expectations. Therefore, summer projects should not be teacher-designed but instead, be student-designed to ensure motivation, creativity, and productivity. | 6 | 609 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
903F83DFF8BE | The usage of summer projects is an undermined technique that schools implement to educate their students. It incorporates an application process to subjects and topics learned in class, to real-world settings. For many students, this process of application is enough to instill certain topics into one's memory. Thus, to ensure that students receive a meaningful and valuable summer project, teachers should have the ability to design and construct these assignments. The reason for this is that teachers effectively utilize summer projects to introduce new topics, have a better understanding of the curriculum and subject, and can emphasize certain topics that are vital for students to understand.
Many students might find the first quarter of a new school year a bit cumbersome; however, with the aid of a teacher-designed summer project, students can establish a better academic foundation before entering the school year. This process of learning a topic before it is discussed or taught in school has may psychological and academic benefits. In the book
Talent , the author describes the educational process as a learning curve; for our purposes, only the first and second stages in this process are critical to understanding the effects of teacher-designed projects. The first stage of this curve is the data gathering process, where a person begins to input and understand the information into one's conscious thinking: this is typically the longest and most difficult phase in the learning curve. The second stage of this curve is the application process, where people now have the ability to translate their newly acquired knowledge to a real scenario. A majority of students might not know this, but the first step in this learning curve is what students experience in a classroom, which is why students might not fully grasp a topic the first time it is taught. Connecting back to the prompt, the teacher-designed projects act as a catalyst to this learning process, where students aren't starting at the bottom of the data gathering curve, rather, they have already progressed through the first stage of learning. With a general foundation, students have a better ability to digest the information given during class. Moreover, this state of being a faster learner has many psychological benefits; the most important one being a confidence and morale boost. Essentially, feeling that you have this supernatural ability to easily absorb information boosts your confidence in the class, which, in return, increases your productivity in that class. A teacher-constructed summer project ensures that students can begin this learning strategy by introducing new topics that will be discussed during the following year.
An important notion that should be addressed is that most students do not have a developed understanding of a subject's curriculum. However, teachers are trained and knowledgeable about the course curriculum, and have the ability to tailor the summer projects to the academic standards the students are expected to uphold. The issue with having a student-designed summer project is that the students might not have the ability to distinguish between topics that are less or more important. On the contrary, teachers posses the ability to guide their students to topics that are beneficial for them to understand. In other words, by allowing teachers to design the summer projects, students gain a better understanding to where the teacher is directing them throughout the new academic year.
Despite the evidence listed, some students are still not satisfied with having a teacher-designed project during the summer. The major claims they use to corroborate their defense is that the projects designed by teachers are not interesting enough or they do not necessarily appeal to the students' interest. First, it should be noted that these are very sensible and valid reasons to why someone might not want a teacher-designed summer project. In fact, when people to do not enjoy a certain task, they loose motivation to complete it. However, it should also be noted that teachers consider this claim when designing their projects. Personally, I have always received flexible summer assignments from my teachers, where they have allowed students to add information and topics they find interesting to the overarching theme of the project. Teacher-designed summer projects have the ability to make space for topics that students might find interesting, while also directing them towards important topics and ideas that will be addressed in the following year.
Like any logical argument, the good and harm of both teacher-designed and student-designed projects should be juxtaposed. For teacher-designed projects, there benefits include a smooth transition into new topics, outlining important topics and ideas, and a tailored focus to the curriculum. The only major disadvantage to teacher-designed summer projects are that it might not be interesting for the student, which is not always the case. On the contrary, student-designed projects have the benefit of being interesting to the desires of the students themselves. However, student-designed summer projects have many disadvantages including a less reliable topic focus and a meandering project objective. Furthermore, it is evident that teacher-designed summer projects are more beneficial to the students than student-designed summer projects are. | 6 | 833 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
7FCE9209018F | At the end of the school year, students dread the idea of a summer project. This project becomes another assignment that students procrastinate until the week before school. When their teacher assigns a summer project, students tend to dislike the subject of the project. This results in the students not wanting to complete their project, which leads to students putting less effort into the project. Students should be able to design their own projects so that they can choose a topic that they are interested in and can design a plan that suits their needs. However, teachers should still be involved as mentors so that they can guide their students and provide useful resources.
When students are assigned projects, many complain that they do not like the project because it is boring. If students could design their own project, they would be able to choose a topic that interests them. This would benefit the student because they have the option to study something that could help them learn about something that would benefit them. For example, if a student is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, they would have the option to choose a project that studies medicine. This is helpful because it allows the student to study something that will help them in other subjects. In addition, students would be able to choose a project that suits their strengths. When teachers assign one project to the whole class, the project might benefit some students more than others. However, if the student can design their own project, they will be able to choose a project that they can succeed in. Also, when students choose a project that interests them, they will be more likely to complete it. When a student does not like their project, they tend to procrastinate it until the last minute. If students were able to choose a project that they like, they will enjoy working on it and therefore be more likely to complete it. By giving students the option to pick a project that the are interested in, students will be able to do a project that is enhanced by their strengths and suits their needs.
Another common complaint students have when they are assigned a summer project is that they do not have the time to complete it. If students could design their own project, they would be able to design a project that suits their schedule. This would make them more accountable for it. During the summer, many students have busy schedules. Most are occupied with summer jobs, internships, and vacations. This makes it difficult for a student to complete a project that is not compatible with the time that they have. However, if students are able to design a project that suits their needs, students will be able to design a project that they have time to do. For example, if a student knows they they will work at their summer job on weekdays during the summer, they will be able to design a project that they can work on over the weekend. Also, students will be able to design a project that involves resources that they have access to. For example, some students do not have resources like WiFi, a computer, or a car. If a teacher assigns a project that requires the internet or transportation, students who do not have that resource will not be able to complete it. In addition, some teacher-designed projects require the student to spend money on materials. If that student's family does not make a lot of money, that student is at a disadvantage because their peers are able to produce better projects than they can. This issue can be resolved with student-designed projects because students will be able to design a project with resources that they have access to. When students can design their own project, they have the ability to design a project that suits their schedule and involves accessible resources.
Though student-designed projects benefit the student, students still need guidance from a teacher. Some students might not design an appropriate project, and others might need help coming up with an idea. Therefore, teachers should serve as a mentor to students while they are designing their projects. One thing that the teacher should do is help students come up with a good plan. If the teacher is not requiring students to plan their projects, some students might design bad projects. In addition, students should be required to get approval from a teacher before starting a project. This forces students to design a good project that covers topics related to their class. It also ensures that students will not design a bad project. Also, teachers will be able to provide resources such as books, materials, and database that the students do not have access to. If the teacher provides good resources to students, it allows the student to design a project that they can do well on.
In conclusion, students should design their own summer projects because it allows them to choose a project that is relevant to their interests and suits their schedule. It also allows them to design a project that involves resources that they have access to. This ability minimizes the advantages some students have over others. However, teachers should still be involved in summer projects by providing resources and giving approval for projects. Overall, if students are able to design their own summer project, they will perform better than if they are assigned a project that their teacher designed. | 6 | 918 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
DED685999785 | Summer break is a time when students forget most informormation about what they learned during the school year. Most students dont even expose themselves to learn anything school related during summer break. Some schools try to prevent that by require students to complete some summer, school related, projects or assignments to insure students are still learning and refresh their memory about what they learned through out the school year. These projects are either teacher designed or student-designed. In order for students to prove they are learning and understand the subject in which the project or assignment is about or related towards, and enjoy their summer break, teachers should assign student-designed projects to students to insure that they are learning during break.
Student-designed assignments are better because students have the freedom of working on their own pace. Students can plan accordingly from their own schedule. All students have personal lives and goals that they want to achieve during the break. Some may be in sports, have jobs, or other activities that could take up one's time. Plus, it is summer break, students want to feel free and have a break from the stressful school environment. Another factor is that some students work slower than others. When working in their own pace, they can take their time and not feel pressured from other students or the due dates from the teacher. Personally, I work slower then my peers and sometimes due dates from my teacher. Whenever I feel pressured about working slower than my peers, I find my self not learning or putting in much effort in my work causing me to rush and not able to enjoy learning or that subject, causing me to not learn from that assignment and do poorly in that assignment and getting a bad grade on it. When Im able able to work on my own pace, I feel a lot less pressured and actually enjoy doing the assignment, plus I can learn my own way and put in much more effort in my work. In addition, I can enjoy my summer break on my own time.
Another reason is that students can develop or find a work method that can improve their learning. It also helps students become more independent. It is common that all students can't learn in the same way, some learn different from others. When able to do the project their way, they can find or develop a work method that can help students to learn and get something out from the project. Students will be more productive when they can learn their own way. Plus when they go back to school or grow up, they will have their own ethic that works best for them to help them out in the real world or school. In addition, it also helps students to practice responsibilities and being independent. So when they go back to school, they can start off the year fully knoweleged and productive. Personally, I learn differently than my peers, and I had to find a learning ethic to help me accominate my knowledge with the rest of my class. At first, school was hard because I did not know how to get good grades. It took time, but eventually, I was able to catch up with my peers and finally understand what was being taught to me. Plus I see my self able to work independently and no longer need someone to teach me the subject again and give me extra help, I am able to do things more independently.
Finally, students are able to express their own knowledge and ideas related to the project. The main reason for schools requiring students to do summer projects, is to insure students are still learning over the long break. Therefore students can prove what they learned over the break, and express their own ideas and knowledge on the project. This can help teachers understand where their students are in the subject and help them, if needed, through out the year. Also this can be a great time to help teachers to know their students a little more personally and understand how each one of them think and understand ideas. When students are allowed to express their own knowledge, it shows what students personally learned through their work, proving that students are doing their own work. It also helps to prevent cheating or multiple students having the same answer on their work.
Although some may think that teacher-designed projects are a better option than student-designed, some may argue that with teacher-designed assignments, teachers set up due dates and a rubric of whats required on the project. Some may argue that students are most likely to procrastinate on the assignment if they choose their own dates, so having due dates through out the summer will sort of "keep students on track" to do their work and having a rubric to help those who don't know what should be on the project, but having a rubric and due dates can also make students unable to build or practice that independent work ethic and will most likely end up relying on someone to do the responsibility. However, students have lives and the teacher doesn't know everyone's schedule. By enforcing due dates, it could cause some students to rush and unable to put their own full effort, rather than actually learning and enjoying the project. Also having a rubric that details exactly what must be on the project also can increases academic dishonesty by requiring each student having similar to almost the same project with possibly the same information instead of allowing students to express their knowledge their own way.
Teachers should assign student-designed summer projects to students to insure that they are learning during their break. Allowing students to design their own project can allow students to work on their own time, practice or find a good personal learning method and express what they learned and their ideas. Students can practice responsibility and being independent. So not only are students learning whatever subject, but they are also getting long term benefits to help them personally in life. | 6 | 1,017 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Economically disadvantaged | Identified as having disability |
87D53BFDACAE | Summer is the time for students to finally relax their brain and rest before restarting that thinking engine again. It's all fun and games, until students forget the material and have to learn everything again. After recognizing that, some schools required students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break.
Even though the idea and purpose of summer projects is present, there's been a debate on the format of those projects: teacher-designed or student-designed. The difference between teacher-designed and student-designed projects is that teacher-designed means the teacher sets specific instructions on how to complete the project; whereas, student-designed is having the student create a project off of a prompt. If schools require students to complete projects during the summer, it should be student-designed because it gives them the opportunity to learn independently and think creatively.
When you are younger, you are dependent on any adult that could guide you in anything: school, work, home, etc; but as you get older, you beging to form your own opinions and start to crave more independence. Your need for independence becomes restricted because the school system doesn't allow you to be independent. The school system gives the students the mentality that you have to follow the teacher's rules because of the concept that the teacher is always right and the student is always wrong. This prevents students from learning independently, because it requires the students to depend on the teacher and makes students believe that they are always wrong. If teachers encouraged students to learn independently by having their projects be more student-designed, their accademic performance could improve, they can become more independent, and bring out more ideas to the table. Learning independently gives students a sense of pride after accomplishing their goals by themselves.
Not only does student-designed summer projects help students become more independent, but teaches creative thinking. When you were in preschool, you tended think outside the box or color outside the lines because you were encouraged do so: you were encouraged to be imaginative. School encourages you to think creatively or be creative, but how can you do that when your creative abilities are being restricted? Summer projects that are student-designed is a good start for learning creative thinking because it gives the student time to learn and adjust by themselves. If students were able to think more creative, they would be able to learn how to think above and beyond and might even bring some new and reformed ideas to the table. Having school projects be student-designed is relevant to creative thinking because it is a skillset that you won't only need at school but in the workplace as well, because businesses thrive off of new ideas to help increase profit.
Some may argue that teacher-designed projects are more easy to grade and helps keep students from going off-topic. Even though teacher-designed projects are easier to grade for teachers, it limits the students' ability to push themselves to go farther and think independently. Straight-forward instructions does keep students on track on the topic, but it doesn't motive them to actually do the work. Teacher-designed projects have step-by-step guidelines and rules with a clear idea of what the projects should look like which makes it easy, but it is more restricting to the students' creative abilities because it doesn't allow for them to think outside the box; which causes them to lose the motivation to complete the project. Student-designed projects allow students to think more freely and be less dependent of teachers.
Although there are disadvantages in having summer projects be student-designed, advantages help in th long run because it teaches and encourages students at a young age to be more creative and independent. Anyone can follow simple instructions, but thinking creatively and learning independently are difficult skillsets that you can't accomplish with step-by-step guidelines. | 6 | 635 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
26E218908B4C | Summer break provides students with a time to relax and refresh in preparation for the following year. The break is a necessity in the school systems as it offers students the opportunity to experience different aspects of life outside of the classroom. Additionally, this period to refresh assists students in their learning career as it prevents academic burnout. However, some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during the break. In situations where summer projects are assigned, projects should be student-designed for they allow students to take initiative in their learning, gain a deeper understanding of the chosen topic, and minimize the chance that students feel they are not being given a break.
In allowing students to design their own project, the student is given the opportunity to take charge of their learning. The initiative a student-designed project offers allows students to choose a topic they are interested in and later hope to pursue. For example, a young student with little interest in art and literature would not benefit from being forced to read certain novels throughout the summer. Exposure to the essential texts needed to further their language abilities will be gained throughout the school year. Therefore, as the school year already provides students with the basic skills to advance their academic career, summer should be a time students have the opportunity to pursue their own interests, best achieved through the completion of student-designed projects.
Likewise, with the idea that a student designs a project on a topic they are interested in, the project will be done more thoroughly, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding. As a human tendency, people are more likely to work on something they are interested and excited about. The more the project is worked on, the more complex and thorough it will be. Interest and excitement in a topic positively affect the extent to which the project will be worked on. Typically, the time spent on the project is directly related to the overall understanding of the concept. Considering teachers assign summer work to assure students continue learning during their break, projects should be student-designed as they promote a deeper understanding of the given topic.
Lastly, having students complete a project they have designed themselves minimizes the feeling of the traditional school dynamic. Throughout the school year, students are assigned the work they need to complete in order to receive an "A." Completing work is often done out of requirement rather than personal interest. Summer is used as a break from the many requirements of school. A student-designed project will seem like less of a requirement as it is based upon self-interest. Minimizing the feeling that the work must be done out of requirement ensures students have the time to refresh while continuing their academics.
In conclusion, summer is a vital time for students to take a break from the hardships of the previous school year. Yet, some teachers want to assure students continue their learning over the break. If a school believes summer work should be assigned, projects should be student-designed. A project designed by a student encourages them to take initiative in their learning, gain a deeper understanding of the chosen topic, and still feel as if they had a break from school and its traditional dynamic. | 6 | 547 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
B79E9AC3F3A0 | A journalist in
The New Yorker once said, "Want what we want to want." Our education system consists of the constant absorption of knowledge. The student uses the knowledge to complete teacher-designed assignments in exchange for a grade. In reality, a person uses their knowledge to navigate his or her life. It is important that the students are constantly acquiring new knowledge from learning institutions. However, as they have the right to obtain an education, they also have the right to select the knowledge they had acquire. Students are encouraged to use their imagination to find pathways catered to their futures. However, some teacher-designed assignments limit the student's imagination. Furthermore, some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. The schools have to decide whether these summer projects should be teacher-designed or student-designed. Based of my prior knowledge, summer projects should be student-designed because it increases students' leadership skills, critical thinking skills, and development.
Student-designed assignments allows for the students to take leadership in their pathways. In the beginning of the education, students are introduced to different extracurricular courses. These children are encouraged to explore their options as they continue their education and go into secondary school. They are given more freedom to choose their classes as they are expected to find a path that works best for them. Similar to the student's freedom to choose a path, this freedom should also be implemented on summer projects. Students should design their summer projects as it will enable them to explore their options. The students can take initiative in catering the projects toward their future careers; thus, making the projects more helpful towards them. In addition, these projects allow for students to act as the teacher, increasing their leadership skills. Students are able to view a teacher's perspective as they design their own projects. They are able to think in a global perspective and create an assignment that is reliable for others. As a teacher, they are required to become an expertise in the subject and effectively teach it. A student designing a summer assignment may replicate some of the positive aspects of teaching and effectively decipher the material. Students can increase their leadership skills through designing their own summer assignments.
Student-designed assignments repel against the oppression of students to systematically think in the same manner and allow for critical thinking skills. In primary school, students are taught a solid foundation of knowledge from their teachers. However, in secondary school, they are encouraged to critically think about the knowledge they have obtained and form a judgment; thus, teachers guide them towards forming an intelligent judgment. This life skill is used on a daily basis, especially in the workplace when humans aren't given a manual for obtaining success. Students should design these summer projects as it promotes critical thinking from the students. Students would be require to form their own ideas as they rarely design a project for themselves. The students would critically think and use their best judgment to create the best project. They would not need a set of directions to control their thinking and limit their ideas. In addition, the oppression of student's creative thinking leads to burnout and loss of motivation. The education system heavily relies on strict teacher-designed assignments, which test the students' ability to follow the rubric in expectancy of a grade that determines the students' success. This type of assignment leads to burnout. Collectively, studies have shown that students lose motivation throughout the school year. This type of learning kills the students' imagination as they follow the directions and absorb the knowledge in a shallow manner. Students should design the summer assignments because it repels against the strict teacher-designed assignments. The students would not have to follow directions; they would create the directions. This type of assignment motivates the students to overcome the challenges of the making of a creation. Student-designed assignments allow for the students to critically think for themselves.
Student-designed assignments create development. Some may say that the students are not qualified enough to design their summer projects, or that they lack the experience to create a student-designed project. However, the thought of limitation manifests into the actual limitation of the students and their lack of experience. Preventing students from attempting the challenge hinders development. The development of these students derives from taking risks, overcoming challenges, and experiences. Furthermore, a new idea allows for an improved version of a precedent principle. Similar to the United States justice system, the law is constantly reforming itself as humans obtain new knowledge and form new ideas. As new ideas develop in the world, the education system must follow as it is the core of our future's success. Student-designed assignments allow for development of the education system.
Students should design their summer assignments due to the increase in leadership, critical thinking, and development. Schools should not abolish all teacher-assignment assignments as some are important in the education system and developing the student's thinking. However, they should implement more student-designed assignments as it benefits the students in multiple ways. These assignments would be the most effective in the summertime when students are continuing learning through their break. The assignments, in themselves, are evidence that students are making their own creations in a system which can limit this type of thinking. We should allow the students to "want what [they] want to want." | 6 | 893 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
FFF1442D6698 | Every student looks forward to summer break, it's all about sunshine and going out for fun. After a long time, they are able to stop focusing on school for quite some time. Although,it is relieving to take a break, students tend to forget some knowledge once they have to return to school. This is because of the summer they just spent doing nothing that's school related. For this reason, summer projects are created. It helps students to continue the learning process and keep a hold of their knowledge. Some may argue that these summer projects should be designed by the students, others may say they should be designed by the teachers. These summer projects would end up better if designed by the teachers because teachers already know the materials that need to be learned and they can challenge their students' abilities.
Furthermore, students aren't going to be enthusiastic about a summer project, most kids these days enjoy doing anything that doesn't involve school. It's more of an obligation if they have to do summer projects. So, asking students to design a project for themselves would be like asking them to stop using their phones forever. They won't want to do it because students don't like extra work. This is when teachers come in to play, they are more knowledgeable. Teachers have spent so much time learning a certain subject. They can easily set an objective for the students because it's what they've trained for. Teachers are also aware of what needs to be learned, while students are used to being told what to learn. This makes it easier for teachers to create a project. Students, on the other hand, would sit there clueless not knowing what to create nor how to. How would they know what they need to accomplish learning from creating their own project? It would be too difficult and it's time consuming not knowing where to start. Teachers are more organized and well prepared for creating assignments, activities, and projects. It wouldn't be smart to have the students create the project knowing students are less responsible and less organized with completing tasks.
Now, some people may think: "If students create their own project then they would do it," but students would rather create something to their own benefit. What I mean by this is, students will come up with a task that's easy enough to complete. Nothing challenging, time consuming, and well organized would be taken in to consideration. They don't want to create something that makes them have to think outside the box. They'd rather keep it simple. So, it's best if teachers take that responsibility. A teacher can tell what their students' weaknesses and strengths are. Which helps them create something that can be a challenge to the students' mind yet, be able to be completed as well. This will allow the student to think outside the box and be able to understand what the teacher is trying to teach them while the summer break is taking place. Once they return to school they will already have that knowledge with them because they learned it over the summer and got a hold of the lesson that needed to be learned.
To sum it up, summer projects should be designed by teachers and not students. This should be done this way because teachers have a better understanding as to what to do and how to create a project with objectives. Students are used to following instructions in order to learn, so having them create their own project to learn would be difficult to actually accomplish learning a certain topic. The teachers can set the expectations and what needs to be learned by the students;therefore, allowing them to easily follow along and complete the task. Students don't like doing work during the summer, so asking them to create work for themselves would take a lot out of them. | 6 | 648 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
23B709C8F85A | Although summer assignments designed by teachers are proven to be more professional and effective for student learning while they are on their break, summer projects should be created by students because it will prove less stressful and more lenient for the students to complete assignments made by their peers rather than their teachers.
Summer assignment that are student-designed will prove to be a more lenient workload than assignments made by teachers. Summer projects made by teachers usually include a tremendous workload with more than just one thing to do. For example, in the summer of my freshman year of high school, my world history teacher assigned the class a one hundred paged packet where we had to answer fifteen questions on each page. To complete that project I had to complete one page a day, but by the time the new year came around I still was not able to finish the assignment. That assignment had proven to be extremely difficult and excessive in its workload, as a result I was not able to complete it. Students are capable are creating assignments that will prove that projects do not need to be excessive in workload to assure that they are learning. For example, in my English class, we were given an assignment where the students had to create a worksheet with questions created on our own then give it to another student to complete. When I received my peer's worksheet, the questions were not so easy to where I didn't have to think at all but it proven just difficult enough to complete without thinking as hard. This example is made to show how when students are the ones creating the assignments it demonstrates how a student can receive learning from the assignment but it is not as rigorous as the assignments designed by teachers. Even though teacher-designed projects are designed for the strict purpose of assuring learning, student designed projects prove learning can be achieved but it is achievable without the tremendous workload.
Teacher-designed projects have proven to be extremely stressful on students and summer assignments created by students will relieve other students of that stress. A majority of the time, projects made by teachers are so difficult that they inflict stress and anxiousness in the students because of the fear they will not complete it. For example, for the same history project I had to complete during the summer of freshman year, the difficulty and the length of the packet inflicted fear and anxiousness in me that I would not be able to finish the assignment. These type of projects inflict stress on students and stress is not good for the mental health of growing teenagers. Whenever students create assignments they not only create what is most academically suited to them, but also create assignments to where they won't have go over their limits and won't have to stress themselves out either. Although teacher-designed assignments prove effective of students knowledge of the topics the assignments are based on, assignment made by students will not only assure learning but will prove to be less stressful for the students completing the assignment.
In conclusion, summer projects should be created by the students rather than the teachers because students know how difficult and stressful summer assignments can be, as a result they can make assignments that will not only assure learning over the break, but won't inflict stress and hardship onto the students who have to complete it. Teachers have always designed assignments assigned over the break to make sure student do aquire learning while being away from school. Student projects should always remain learning but the assignments given to them should not be so difficult to the point where they are fearful and stress over not completing it. Because of this, summer projects should be student-designed for the sake of the students mental health and to prove that summer assignments do not need to be excessive in its workload to ensure learning. | 6 | 659 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
D60320508249 | By being allowed to design their own summer projects, students are afforded significantly many more opportunities to learn outside of the classroom and are also able to accomplish their project with a degree of flexibility, letting them both enjoy their time off but also retain information that they learned the previous year.
Many students have quite the chaotic schedule during the summer months. Between jobs, internships, and trying to enjoy their time away from school, it's easy for teacher-assigned work to get tossed by the wayside during this time. Additionally, for some people it is difficult to do things like hop online and complete lessons or sit down with a calculator and figure out equations, since their schedules simply don't allow it. This can be a problem for anyone who participates in programs such as Outward Bound or those who will spend a few weeks in another country on vacation or in the middle of nowhere building houses with their church.
By letting their summer work be student-driven, kids will be able to adapt their commitments to their teacher's desire to have them continue their learning over the break and not have to worry about finishing assignments by deadlines that they already know aren't possible for them to meet. For example, if a student is going to Latin America over the summer, instead of having them mindlessly conjugate verbs on worksheets to submit for their Spanish class, they can actually put what they learned to use out in the world by talking with locals or taking in the culture through music and food. If another student doesn't happen to have a passport and a couple thousand dollars lying around, they can adjust it to their situation, for example going to a local Latin grocery store and buying ingreedients in Spanish in order to make a native dish.
However, the opportunities extend beyond just languages and cultures. If a student is interning at a company in a different city, they have to learn a variety of skills, one of which being how to budget correctly. Here, they can employ what they learned in their math class in order to help them out with their finances by figuring out how much things will cost and what percentages of their money will have to go to which necessity. Again, this applies to everyone, as students who don't have that opportunity still get the chance to apply their math abilities to their own lives, as they might want to figure out how to divide up their paychecks from their summer job between spending and saving money.
These examples highlight another main benefit of letting students design their own summer projects, that being the increased opportunities that are availible outside of the classroom. Instead of having one general project assigned by the teacher that is monotonus and isn't any different than regular school, students can customize their learning to their specific situation and access things that aren't availible inside the classroom. Students that are interested in making music can apply for internships at music studios that have nicer equipment than their school. Students that enjoy writing can work with local journalists and get a feel for what writing is like for a bigger publication than just their school paper.
One might be thinking at this point, "Come on now. This is great for all the kids who are motivated to learn and are enough of a go-getter to go out and do this stuff, but what about the ones who just want to sit inside and play video games or hang out with their friends?" This is where the real beauty of student-designed work comes in. Even those who don't want to have to sacrifice their precious three months of freedom can still get in valuable time applying what they learned the previous school year. Spend your summer days inside playing video games? Calculate your win rate or determine your average time taken to complete certain levels. Prefer to hang out with your buddies at the pool all day? Determie your arc in the air doing different tricks off the diving board. The ability to adapt one's schedule to their situation is infinitely better than doing some general assignment handed out by a teacher, for all types of people.
If students can create their own project that is specific to their life over the summer, then they are accomplishing several goals. It allows them to actually get the work done, instead of being unable to do so based off of their schedule. It lets them be interested in their learning instead of complaining about a boring stack of worksheets that that have to robotically complete. Most importantly, however, it gives them the chance to experience things outside of the classroom that are both personalized to their lives and also accomplishing their teacher's goal of getting them to continue to learn information, ensuring that student-designed projects present the best of both worlds. | 6 | 820 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
1C899A4C779B | Studies show that students lose information over the summer break, if thats the case then the solution is to keeping working during the summer. some schools have summer projects to keep students from losing any information. The option for the projects are either that they are teacher-designed or student-designed. I believe the required summer projects for students should be teacher-designed because it allows the teacher to chose what subject they work on, if students designed it they would make it too easy, and the teacher can make it fit each students level.
First off, some subjects in school are more important than others, like math is more important then king tut of Egypt. Students may not realize the importance of some subjects and chose a different one to do their project on. An example is when I chose my sophomore classes, I decided that choir was more important then my history class. Making that choice ended up meaning I knew less about history, I had to take the lass later on, and it kept me from seeing how crucial history is. Teachers on the other hand have a better clue as to whats more important. The teacher would know what subject is most forgotten or which subject will be best for the student to learn. That is why the summer project should be teacher-designed.
Secondly, everyone knows kids like to slack off when we can. We skip work, right fake answers, and cheat to get out of doing all the work assigned. If the subject of the project is left for the student to chose then it might not do them any good in retaiing proper information. When the student is told to find something to do a project on they would probably find a topic they recently did well in or something far beneath there skill level. An example that shows this is when I had to chose a format for my final project in my honors English class. I could chose between many different things: a regular essay, a research paper on the events of the story, or even a rap song that explains the book. I chose to write a letter as one of the characters because it didnt challenge me as much as the other choices. If given the chance a student will almost always chose the easy work which is why a teacher should design the project so that the student is challenging themselves and growing.
Next, "All men are not created equally" is a quote often used by teachers when telling kids not to compare themselves to others. This reinforces that a teacher should create the project because the only person who knows your academic level other then you, is your teacher. Teachers pay attention to the students and see how much help they need and where they are at in terms of their learning. In my 9th grade year I had a science project. It was the exact same project as everyone else had. My teacher realized that it would be too easy for me and I would get nothing from it so she gave me a harder one. If she had not have payed attention tome as a student she woudn't have seen where i was compared to the class. This is a perfect example as to why a teacher should create the project, so that the teacher can give the students projects at a level that is achievable for them but will also keep them on track.
People might argue that the students should have their own choice as to what they create it on. The students free choice would come out during the creation of the project meaning it could be perfect for them and then they work on it in their own way. I believe the required summer projects for students should be teacher-designed because it allows the teacher to chose what subject they work on, if students designed it they would make it too easy, and the teacher can make it fit each students level. | 6 | 672 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
0821EB1AEDED | Students often moan and groan about summer projects that their teachers assign them to do over summer break to assure they continue learning over the period they are not in school. The projects most of the time, have a set rule book to follow that was issued by the teacher and it makes the project boring and not enjoyable for the students to do, basically being a burden the students have to over come during their relaxing summer break. These projects that get assign should be more student-designed because students can be more freely creative with their own ideas, it will be more enjoyable to do for them, and they can continue learning in a more ideal way.
Having the project be more student-designed, students would not have to struggle with limitations and can be more creative and use their own ideas for a better outcome of the project. Teachers often put a strict instructional guide or manual on what to do and what not to do, during the assignment and limits what students can do and blocks any originality. However, having a student-designed project will unleash a wave of ideas and flow of creativity between each student that would not normally be received from a common project. The whole outcome of the entire project will be changed drastically because of the freedom students will have on their own projects and in which, in the end, will satisfy them. During research projects, teachers also frequently limit the student on what they can look up and use. If the project was student-designed, students can freely look up and use what interest them and learn about something that will make them more engaged into the project. They can not be held by idea blocking rules that will make the project disengaging, they can have creativity run free throughout the entire assignment and it will show. Overall, a student-designed project will make a more standout project due to the original ideas students will leave throughout the project.
The sound of a project over the summer break already sounds boring and a headache of a time for any person in school to do but students will always be more engaged in a project that will allow their own unique spin on it and uses a piece of mind from them. The thought of a project is always a dreadful one that all, will have a hard time to get them self to do it but a student-designed project will make it at least, a more enjoyable experience. Students can utilize their brain and knowledge to make it a project to remember and have fun while thinking of an idea to blow teachers and fellow classmates away once they return from break. For example, a science fair allows students to show a unique idea with experiments, this causes fun competition and a enjoyable process on how the project is going to "wow' the judges. Speaking of competition, if the project would also have an incentive to try to achieve the best project, students would even be more thrilled. The student-designed project will show a big amount of their own ability to the assignment and make them strive for the number one spot. This would heighten the accomplishment of the project and give them a sense of excitement for their own unique project to compete with classmates. In the end, rather than having a normal boring project, students who have a chance to design their own project, will have a lot more fun and excitement in the process of doing the project, in which, will still allow them to learn and not interrupt with their fun and relaxing summer break.
Projects also have a based way of learning, a way teachers think it's best for our generation to learn, but they are not our generation, they do not know what is best for us, they just think it; by allowing students to freely design their project, they can learn in their own ideal way. When teachers assign projects that are related to the class, it is reasonable because it help us understand the subject more, but when they assign a regular project, especially one over summer break, it is often a misguided project on what they think students want to learn but does not really aid them. Giving the chance for a student to do something they want to learn about, will get them more engaged and give them their ideal way of learning. They would not have to worry about what teachers think they should learn but rather what they want to learn and will aid them in the future. Students who do a project about what they want to learn will make doing a project like that more enjoyable over a summer break rather than a set learning experience. They will gather more information to aid them in what they want to do, instead of being given something they think they should do, this will make the learning experience way beneficial for them and not waste their time in the long run. They can continue to learn educational information for them and gain more knowledge that matches their learning style and will satisfy what they have learned. Therefore, students would have a better learning experience if they could do projects their own way and had design freedom and not be held down by a set learning path.
Projects being put out during summer break will always be a boring and overbearing thing to complete and in some cases even ruin summer break for them overall just to learn information that teachers assign. Having the project be student-designed, however, will change the entire assignment in all, giving more creativity, better pacing, more enjoyment, and a better learning experience for students all around, it will benefit them rather than a teacher-designed project. All projects, even ones put out over summer break, should be student-designed because the outcome will have more uniqueness with student's ideas, the project overall will be more fun, and students will learn in their own learning way. | 6 | 1,011 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
1C346211657F | During the summer, students are given a plethora of work by their teacher for the upcoming school year to ensure that students are able to recall and apply their knowledge over the summer. Unfortunately, many of these projects and assignments are teacher-designed and lack the ability to properly ensure the retention of information over the summer. Instead, over-break projects should be student-designed as this would help students learn and memorize information better, make students have a more interactive experience, and make each student have a unique project based off their specific needs as a learner.
The unique nature of student-created assignments allows the student that creates their own project to have better retention of the material covered by the project due to a psychological concept using episodic memory. This psychological concept is a proven memory technique that uses personal experiences (episodic memories) as a link to the concept or term the individual is trying to learn and remember. This can easily be applied to the homework given over their break as when students design their own projects they are able to make mental links with the project components and the information they are doing a project on. These links allow them to be able to retain the information better as they have memory to draw back on when they think about the concept. Unlike this, however, teacher-designed projects have many students mindlessly doing their homework; thus, missing the connections with the experience and the concept. While, with student-designed projects they are forced to think about the concepts and project links as they create and complete the assignment.
Student-created projects also tend to be more interactive as it forces the student to engage with the project in through its interesting components. I have experiences with both sides of the argument as I am a high school student; this has caused me to partake in both teacher-made assignments and student-created projects. Overall, I have noticed that the teacher-made assignments tend to be more dry and more like busy work, rather than student-based assignments which are more interactive as they incorporate games, colorful activities and modern slang sprinkled throughout the assignment. This makes the work much more enjoyable for students as they are able to have fun doing the work. This also helps them retain information better as they are focusing on the work yet still enjoying it rather than mindlessly doing the work because you were told to do it. These fun, interactive activities are both fun for the user but also achieves the end goal of stimulating the student's knowledge over summer break.
While also interactive, student-created assignments are also unique to each student. Students understand their weakness and will be able to create a project that is catered to them and their specific strengths and weaknesses in order to better their current knowledge of the subject. For example, Generic_Name has trouble on cardiology for her AP Biology class; so for her project over the summer she focused on the anatomy of the heart and the blood circulation process of the human body. This allowed Generic_Name an opportunity to research and study cardiology and other heart-related processes, thus increasing her knowledge of her weakest subject within AP Biology. Therefore, every single student is given the opportunity to fix their individual flaws through these student-made projects. On the other hand, a standardized teacher-made assignment barely addresses their weaknesses. This is due to the fact that teacher-made assignments are generalized to all students and only brush the surface of every topic in order to cram all the information onto the one assignment. While conversely, student-made assignments are able to go deep into concepts the student struggles with due to the student being able to create the project.
Student-created projects have the ability to increase the knowledge of the material covered by the project, dramatically. It also gives the student a more pleasurable experience compared to a teacher-created assignment due to its interactive nature and more student catered experience through games and activities. However, the most important aspect of student-created projects is its ability to be a unique assignment that is perfectly created to address the needs and wants of that student as it is the student in question that is creating it. These three characteristics of student-created projects allows the student to grasp and retain the important information they need to learn and remember over the summer. It is my understanding that the student, the person who knows what they need to learn, should be given a project that caters to them and gives them the best opportunity to learn and remember information through a medium that allows them to understand the concept without getting bored of it. So why choose these standardized teacher-created assignments that are unable to meet the specific needs of its students? Why not go for the better option that allows students to flourish in their own creative and unique way? | 6 | 816 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
E37D480CD473 | Summer assignments are required by a multitude of schools accross the state of Virginia. But some school districts are considering breaking from the traditional teacher-designed summer projects and instead replacing them with projects designed by the students. This may reflect student desires, however, it does not reflect what is best for the students education. Summer projects should be designed by teachers rather than students because it would be in the students own best interest.
Summer projects are intended to be used as preparation for courses students are going to take in the upcoming school year. Therefore, how could students be sure of what content should be emphasized; what ideas are the most important; and what materials, such as books and web sources, are the best? Furthermore, teachers will have a far greater knowledge of the courses at hand. Often times theachers will have particular material they want to be covered or emphasized over the summer. For instance, many Humanities teachers have specific books that they want students to read. Even though these books may be longer and harder than many students desire, they likely cover crucial material or are written in a certain literary style that is going to be taught about.
Some may claim that in order to have effective learning, students themselves must control the different components of their eductation. While this may be true for some aspects, such as selecting the courses they wish to take, this should not be the case for summer assignments. This is because many students may take advantage of an opportunity to design their own summer projects, by making them as quick and easy as possible. While this may allow students to enjoy their summer break more, it compromises the very objective of summer assignments, that is, to enhance their education through having continuos learning instead of a complete break from school over the summer. Instead, if teachers were to design summer assginments, they would be far more rigorous, but more importantly, they would be more beneficial for students for the upcoming school year.
If student-designed projects are too easy, they end up simply becoming busy work. More difficult teacher-designed projects would challenge students, which may seem unappealing to many, however in order to grow academically, students need a stimulus to respond to. Moreover, students become stronger learners when they are forced to overcome challenges. These challenges could include: reading a book in a foreign language; reading a book that is longer than they would like and far more dense than they are used to; or having to perform operations with dificult mathematic equations, formulas, and concepts. Nevertheless these challenges will make students think heavily and help them become better educated.
Although student-designed summer projects may appeal more to students, they will ultimately privide significantly less benefit to students' education, than teacher-designed projects would. | 6 | 468 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
AEEEFCE714A1 | Most students in school are assigned summer projects so that they continue to learn over their two month summer break. Some of these projects can be dreadful and tedious, and others can be fun and exciting. The main goal of the projects is for students to continue learning over their summer break. Usually, when students don't learn, they have a hard time adjusting to the new school year which can immensely hurt their grades. These summer projects can be designed by the teachers or the students. Summer assignments should be student-designed because students know which projects are interesting and they know how their peers learn and think, which can help the students better learn from the assigned projects.
Summer projects should be student-designed because students know which projects other students will find interesting. If summer projects are boring and tedious, students won't want to learn anything. If they do things that are more fun and involving then they will definitely learn more and better, which is the entire purpose of assigning summer projects. When teachers assign projects, most of the time they aren't as fun because the teachers just want to get the point across and in the end hope that the students understand. When the students design the project, they know for certain that the students will learn from them because they themselves are students. Teachers may assign packets of worksheets or book reports that need to be completed by the beginning of the school year. However, when you ask students to fill out a packet, they don't really learn anything because frankly it's not that interesting. If students design the projects, they might have the students do an experiment that involves them more so that they can learn better. They might also design projects where students can work together on an experiment, and when two minds work on something, it always leads to better acquisition of the information. Collaborating with others is also a great way to learn, especially over the break,
Another reason why students should design summer assignments is because students know how their peers think and learn whilst on break, which also leads back to interesting projects the students will design. When students design the projects they think of what their classmates find interesting and it can be easier for them because they are students themselves. In other words, because they are students themselves, they know which projects to assign because they will find them interesting. Sometimes when teachers design projects they think it's interesting when they're actually not. In order to make sure they are fun, it's best to have students design the projects. When students are on break they don't want to learn from a packet of worksheets, they want to learn from fun experiments and activities. One time, my teacher designed a summer project and she thought it was an exciting experiment, but she didn't realize that the experiment was actually really long and complicated for the students. We were also on break and couldn't ask her because she didn't respond to anyone's emails. When you need clarification on a student-designed project you can easily ask them because you know where and who they are.
Some say that teacher-designed projects are the best because the teachers know what the students need to learn, especially for the coming year. Even though this may be partly true, the teachers can easily let the students, who are designing the projects, know what the students should learn from the projects and go from there. Students will have a better clue on what the projects need to be about and can make it interesting for the students, so that they continue to learn over their break. If students design the experiments, they can make sure the experiments aren't complicated or tedious either.
In conclusion, student-designed projects are much better for students to continue learning over the summer break. Students will better learn the important information if the projects are interesting and well thought out, which the students know how to do. Students should also design the experiments because they know which projects are interesting and know how their will classmates learn from them. When projects are fun, the students will retain the information better and will allow them to learn over their two month summer break. Summer projects don't need to be boring packets of worksheets, they can be experiments and other activities that stimulate the students' brains in order for them to continue learning. | 6 | 743 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
5816447F692C | Many students across the country can relate to the struggle of returning to school at the end of summer and attempting to complete a review packet, only to realize that, over summer break, they had forgotten what they learned. To prevent his from occurring, schools have began to assign summer work to students. Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure that they continue learning during their break. However, students often times find these teacher-designed and regulated projects boring and tedious. These summer projects should be student-designed to increase student interest and motivation while they work on this mandatory project, and to teach students how to be independent researchers, allowing them to continue learning during their break and providing them with the ability to pursue the topic if desired.
If a student had the ability to design their own summer projects, it would not only increase the student's rate of productivity, it would also increase the quality of the results. In addition, a student's desire in researching their topic will allow them to retain this knowledge and continue learning during their break. Students often groan at the idea of completing a mandatory project, whether it is in-school or out of school. Furthermore, teacher-designed topics fail to provide students with the ability to research a topic that they are interested in. This depletes a student's desire to complete the assigned summer project. Students would find summer projects more enjoyable if they had the ability to design their project and chose their topic. This would, in turn, increase the students' motivation and desire to conduct the project. Furthermore, the more time and energy that a student puts into their project, the better the overall quality of the project and of the results. This would occur if a student had the desire to do the project, which stems from the student's interest in the project. For example, many students across the United States complete an in-school science-project. This can be compared to a summer project because it has a similar process. First, students are either assigned a science topic by a teacher or they are told to chose a topic based on given criteria. Based on first-hand experience and student feedback, students enjoy conducting and completing the project if they had a choice of picking the prompt. This is because the students are able to choose a topic that interests them instead of being forced to research a topic that they are uninterested in. In turn, the quality of the science projects also improves in student picked topics due to the fact that students have a desire to spend more time on them.
Allowing students to design their own projects teaches them how to be independent researchers and promotes creativity by forcing students to plan procedures for a project. When teachers design projects for students, they include everything: topic, materials, time line, and procedure. The student rarely has to conduct any planning before completing the project. This takes away the research and the independence aspect of a project. The teachers babies the students through the process and fails to teach them how to decide the procedure, time line, and materials on their own. If a student isn't given the chance to plan out their own project, they will never learn how to. Planning also promotes and excersizes students' creativity. They are able to find new, creative procedures to tackle a project. As stated previously, students have more desire in researching topics that they are interested in. Student-designed projects would promote advanced and in-depth research among students. As a result students exercise independent research skills, which provides students the with the skills to continue research and promotes continuous learning.
Few may argue that students cannot be trusted in designing a project that is relevant to the curriculum and that allows for students to learn at the same time. Furthermore, students may be inclined to design a project that is too simple for them. This may easily be countered by the teacher. Just because students would be able to design their projects, doesn't mean that the teacher doesn't oversee their actions. Traditionally, when students are given an in-class assignment to design their own projects, their ideas must be approved by a teacher. The teacher also provides the students with guidelines to center their project topic around. This process would be the same for a summer assignment. Before school lets out, students would show the teacher their project plan and confirm that it follows the guidelines while being challenging enough for students. This allows for the students to enjoy their project and learn at the same time. Few may also argue that allowing the students to design their summer projects would result in mad time management since students would also control when certain tasks may need to be completed. Teachers also have the ability to counter this by providing a calender for when certain parts of the project need to be turned in. One teacher would assign a summer project with the same guidelines for a whole class, which allows for the projects to have fairly similar requirements. This makes it easy for a teacher to create certain turn-in dates throughout the summer. Implementing turn-in dates would decrease the students' ability to procrastinate and forces them to manage their time wisely.
Summer-projects are an excellent way for students to continue to learn over break while enjoying themselves. They are also a variation in school work as they provide more freedom and flexibility than in-class work. Consequentially, summer projects should be student-designed to increase student interest and motivation in the project, which allows them to care about the quality of research and work that they conduct. | 6 | 952 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
47665200B19C | I was planning a project with a group of friends for our Spanish class it was dreadful. The teacher had given us another boring topic none of us were even close to interested about, we did the bare minimum yet still had achieved a solid high grade. And in little to no time we all had already completely forgotten about the topic. School summer assignments should be student, not teacher based because Freedom promotes curiosity, Students will work harder for something they care about and Freedom provides creativity.
First of all Freedom promotes curiosity, for example my mother is a famous singer here in the United States, every year Genric_City invites her to sing the national anthem and at my house we have medals and awards on every wall, my dad is a very talented guitarist who has been playing since he was six. Although they have always loved music they never pushed or forced us to try music for me and my little brother. My little brother got completely sucked into music and started teaching himself how to play the guitar, his curiosity is what led him where he is today. My little brother has been playing for less than a year and a half and has already played with my mom in concerts with up to five thousand people. My parents had very little to no influence to my brother because they never forced us to play. Some may believe otherwise because they might say freedom is what makes kids or teens rebellious and that thinking is reasonable but flawed due to the fact that being a bit rebellious is what gives kids or teens life experience. Albert Einstein one of the smartest men there have ever stepped foot on our planet was rebellious and would rarely attend class because his curiosity and freedom are what drove him.
Secondly, Students will work harder for the things they want and are interested in. If you have interest and motivation in something it will drive you not only to finish faster but to want to learn more. We always hear the phrase "When you get a job pick something you will love to do the rest of your life" otherwise your time is wasted and you are just stuck on a dead end job and doing tasks you have no interest in. My uncle Genric_Name always wanted to have his very own restaurant because he loved to cook and it was one of his hobbies but my grandpa has always forced and pushed him into taking law because in south America, which is where they live, he was very strict because he wanted to have his son have a well respected job title but soon enough the years passed and he realized he as stuck at an office when all he wanted to do was leave and open his restaurant. Not long after that he quit his office job and opened his very own restaurants where he is today. Some may disagree with this idea because they think you can adapt or get used to liking something but that reasoning is flawed to the fact that some people simply never adapt or get used to something they dont enjoy doing. For Example Gareth Bale a famous soccer player from Wales plays for Real Madrid a muti-million euro Spanish soccer club where he gets paid thousands of euros and has a full career but when Bale is injured he goes to play professional golf he loves soccer but he never got used to playing only soccer he also considered quitting the Spanish club only to go play soccer but he untimely stayed in soccer, even though if he quit he would of not only lost alot of money but he would have sacrificed it to do something he enjoys and that is worth respecting.
Another reason that school summer projects should be student based is because Freedom promotes creativity one example of this is when I was in tenth grade my teacher, Genric_Name assigned all of us a element from the table and we were all expecting a full layout and a rubric but we didnt get one. Instead he told us it was completely up to us on how we represented the element and he would want to see some sort of presentation at the end. At first everyone was confused and a bit shocked since this was the first time a project had been completely up to them
As the deadline approached the day of presentations I had done a very creative slideshow and poster of the element Neon which I had glued glow sticks everywhere to get the full effect. As I walked into the classroom I saw all sorts of visuals about elements I had never even imagined it was interesting to see so many people with different projects but there were none alike every one had brought something completely different. Some may disagree with this idea because of too much freedom being bad for a person, but that reasoning is flawed due to the fact that freedom is what lets people make their own mistakes and if they don't have the ability to try something when they think about trying something they will be scared of messing up.
In conclusion giving students the ability to chose and the freedom to make their own choices when it comes to education is better than always having the same structure, the same rubric and the same level of comfort. Getting out of you comfort zone with what gives a person their sense of purpose. A change is needed in a society where people are encouraged to think different why would you limit the future of America and remain making decisions for them, instead of letting them think for themselves when they're young so theyre able to better manage our and your future? Let people think for themselves instead of forcing them to think a certain way and not be able to explore their own paths and ideas. | 6 | 999 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
E5C8A407F6EE | Summer is a sweet, warm time full of pool parties, ice cream trucks, and forgetting what it feels like to be in school. Although it is a lovely break, it often poses problems for both students and teachers when the students come back to school unprepared. This is why the practice of assigning summer projects has become very popular; they assure that students continue their education while they are out of school. However, there is a debate on whether the students or the teachers should be designing the summer projects. It is very clear that the teachers should be designing summer projects because they can prepare their students for their future classes, and if students were to design their own projects, there would be severe issues.
Teachers should design summer projects because they can prepare their students for their future classes. Although the students do not know the exact route that their education is going to take, teachers often have a very good idea. Teachers know what their students need to work on, and may be able to assign projects geared towards particular students to help them succeed in the future. This could be significantly more beneficial to the students than students arbitrarily choosing a form of assignment that is unlikely to improve their skills. A specific instance of a teacher assigning a helpful summer project would be if middle school students had decided to take research biology their freshman year of high school. A teacher could assign a summer assignment to these students because she would know that there are vastly increased expectations and responsibilities in high school biology compared to middle school science. The summer assignment could be crucial to help introduce the rising high school students to the formats and expectations of their new class.
Teachers should certainly design summer projects because if students were to design them, there would be significant issues. One problem posed by students designing their own summer projects would be that students might design projects unrelated to what they are doing at school. This would not harm their education, but it would certainly be a waste of time and energy if students were to arbitrarily choose their project and dedicate time and effort to it, and in the end have it be useless to helping them further their education; this is especially wasteful in the context of being able to put that time to something else productive. Another problem posed by having students design their own projects is that their projects may not be stimulating or challenging. Even if students managed to design experiments relevant to their schooling, it is unlikely that the project that they design will stimulate a higher level of thinking than they used previously.
Although they may concede some of my points, supporters of students designing their own summer projects might argue that if the teachers were to design the summer projects of students, then the students would likely care little for the topic chosen and put little effort into their projects. They would argue that students should design their own projects because they would be enthusiastic and excited to learn about something that they chose that interests them. Although this argument has its merits, it is flawed; teachers realize that students do not put effort into projects that they are not invested in, so teachers have methods of getting students to become invested in their projects. One method to encourage students to put effort into their summer projects is that teachers will design the framework of a project, but let the students individualize it and research what interests them. Another method of encouraging students to give effort is making their summer projects a school grade for the next year. These provide incentives for student interest and investment in their work, which yields more positive results. Although those advocating for student-designed experiments have some good points, it is still very clear that the outcomes and positives of teacher-designed experiments far outweigh the negatives.
The education of the young is important to society, and it must not be interrupted or stopped. Summer assignments are essential in keeping this continuity, and it is essential that people are interested in the education they are being given. However, letting the disinterested choose what their education consists of undermines the education system as a whole. It is important that students take interest in learning, for a drive for learning and understanding is how new knowledge comes about; however, it is important that teachers set the foundations for how education is executed so that their students can thrive in the future. | 6 | 757 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
5DB35A66D39F | When the final school bell of the year rings through the halls, students feel a sense of relief and bliss. Finally free from the confines of exams, strict teachers, and long nights, they can't help but sprint out of the classroom door. That feeling of relief and bliss comes to a halt when summer projects are introduced. These teacher-designed projects are often monotonous and unnecessarily complicated; however, all of that could change if students could take on the task of continuing their learning over the break. Although some argue that students do have the maturity to do so, summer projects should be student-designed because hands-on learning has proven to be more beneficial, every student possesses different learning styles, and is more enjoyable.
It is apparent, as shown in several studies, that students better understand material when they themselves get involved. When a student creates his or her own summer project, they have done extensive research, rehearsed the material, and also have demonstrated their knowledge on the subject. Simply completing a fill-in-the-blank packet is not as beneficial to the student as creating their own. The student must first research the definitions and understand them. Then the student will strengthen that understanding by putting the words into context. Finally, the student will create the activity and combine all of their knowledge.
Creating an activity or project is much more difficult than following directions and completing one. Designing the students' own project requires higher level thinking and demonstrates mastery of the material. Students should be able to design their own summer projects because being hands-on allows students to comprehend curriculum better and develop complex thinking skills.
Summer projects aim to further education while on vacation. However, students will not thrive under the same project because not every student comprehends information the same way. A student who works best during a lecture is not going to be able to succeed when given a textbook to read. Take, for example, a student is tasked with creating a tangible model of an animal cell. Some students might benefit from assembling all of the organelles together while others might find the that cutting and gluing distracts from the learning; some students might begin to worry more about the presentation that the actual material. In another scenario, a teacher assigns an essay on the make-up of the animal cell. Some students thrived when writing a straight-forward paper while others would rather craft an example to demonstrate their knowledge. If students were authorized to create their own summer projects, they could all show their efficiency in the curriculum.
Allowing students to create their own summer projects gives them creative freedom and makes the experience enjoyable and educational. When students are able to incorporate their interests into their work , they are more successful in understanding the information. When students work on assignments that allows for self-expression, they are less likely to procrastinate because they are interested and knowledgeable in that field. If a student is tasked with creating some sort of activity that practices grammar, they might choose to do a racing board game because they love NASCAR. That student will be excited to design the board game and will likely be productive because they are truly interested. They'll give more attention to this project and its material because they've associated it with an interest of theirs. Creative freedom increases productivity and positive attitude in the classroom.
However, some argue that allowing students to design their own projects gives them too much control. Questions arise as to how the teacher will ensure that the student understands the material without set guidelines. The lack of supervision over students is daunting to many. Nevertheless, students should be able to create their own projects because they learn better that way.
Summer projects should be designed by the student for the student. Students know themselves and how they work best to excel in a classroom setting. They also have the ability to make learning enjoyable as opposed to being tiresome. Education over the summer should be an invigorating use of time and not a chore dished out by the school. Tasking students with creating their own projects ensures that they will develop higher level thinking skills through hands-on learning. Students should be authorized to design their own summer projects because hands-on learning positively affects students, every student has different learning styles, and is more fun for students. | 6 | 725 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
86CAA05C9969 | Although the primary purpose of summer break is to allow students to relax and not worry about rigorous courses, some schools require that students complete summer projects so they can maintain the academic mindset they had during the school year in preparation for the upcoming year. While these projects ensure that students keep their brains working during the break, the types of projects that are assigned to them is an important factor towards whether the students are benefiting or being hindered by them. These "types" of projects could either be teacher-designed or student-designed, each providing their own benefits and drawbacks. Putting these two against one another, the teacher-designed projects provide students with greater advantages than the student-designed projects, and the disadvantages of the former are not as critical as the latter.
Teacher-designed projects are preferable over student-designed projects because of the prior experience teachers might have with completing summer projects when they were in school. They will already have an idea on the kind of projects that will benefit students the most based on the projects they believe helped them the most when they were students. For example, if a teacher completed a summer project for a specific subject, they immensely enjoyed doing it, and they performed better in the subject in the following school year because of it, they would design a project similar to the one that improved their performance because it has been proven that that kind of project allows students to develop and improve their skills so they can be more than prepared for the next school year. The same applies with the contrary situation: if teachers had to complete a summer project that they thought was boring, uninteresting, or just did not get their brains working, then they would take note that that is not the kind of project they should be assigning their students since they would likely develop the same opinions about it. In short, teachers having past experience regarding summer projects is crucial in order to provide students with the most desirable projects that can best maintain their academic mindsets over the break.
With the amount of years teachers have spent learning and building up their teaching education in school and college, they will have more credibility than most when it comes to proposing ideas, in this case summer project designs, to the school board. The main purpose of the school board is to give students the best school environment and experience, but that does not simply apply to only during the academic school year; they want to find ways to guarantee that students continue to successfully learn all year round so their education level continues to grow all the way until they graduate. The board has the largest say when it comes to approving ideas related to the schools in their designated area, so teachers could go to them and request for their approval on their project idea. The school board would trust that the teacher thoughtfully designed a logical project, so they might request that specific testing be performed to see how good of an idea it is before accepting it. If it is accepted after testing, then that provides the teacher with extra verification that their project idea will benefit the students during their break from school. If anyone else (aside from other members of the school board,) proposed an idea for summer project, it would likely be more difficult for the board to consider their idea because they would have less credibility regarding their teaching experience, and the board would not want to risk wasting their time on some unproven person's idea. Therefore, teacher-designed projects are the ones that greatly benefit from the approval of the school board to ensure that student will maintain their skills in the best way possible.
However, with all these advantages that teacher-designed projects have, some people believe that student-designed projects have more benefits, and that is understandable. Possibly the most important reason why some believe that student-designed projects are better is that these students creating the projects are designing them based off of their peers. Being their peers, these students are more aware and can better comprehend the kind of mindsets that they have than teachers and adults in general. This is because the way generations are taught changes immensely, and it has been proven that teaching methods have greatly altered over the past few decades. For example, with the drastically increasing presence of technology, many teachers today are using technology as a huge part of their teaching, which is a great difference compared to a mere decade ago when technology was barely utilized in the classroom. However, being students, they run into a similar problem that adults who are not teachers have when proposing ideas to the school board: they do not have the credibility. Some students might believe they understand their peers better than the teachers understand them, but they are still students whom do not have the proper education to design projects for other students. The fact that mere students could immensely impact the way their peers perform in school is baffling because it should be the teachers' job to design projects for the future generation of adults, not the students whom have so much more to learn like their peers. It is the teachers that proven they are capable of creating things that can change and benefit the way that young students learn and maintain their skills.
It should always be up to the teachers to design summer projects for students. They better understand the curriculum based on experience, and they have the extra approval of the school board when they propose their ideas. The students that still want to design projects for other students will eventually get the opportunity to do so; that is what attending college to further build up their education is for. | 6 | 973 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
5D2FA6B9D165 | Once school is over, students finally can enjoy their long summer break after months of hard work. Despite this, many teachers require summer projects that can turn an exciting summer into one full of stress, procrastination, and boredom. Personally, I have experienced several teacher-designed summer projects that have been a hardship to complete and require me to do unnecessary amount of tedious work. I have always wished that there was some sort of alternative that could be educational and still allow me to enjoy it, such as student-designed projects. Summer projects should be student-designed instead of teacher-designed because the students will be more likely to complete it successfully and teacher-designed projects are far more restricting and dull.
Students are more likely to complete their project successfully if they design it themselves. In the past, I have experienced many summers in which I was assigned a specific teacher-designed project, and the majority of the students in my class did not have any motivation to do it. Often times, it leads to several students procrastinating and trying to finish the entire project days before the end of their break, or not doing it at all. However, during the school year we were given different types of projects that allow us to design them ourselves, I noticed that even students who procrastinate or don't complete their summer projects have a much more successful project when they design them. For example, during the school science fair, when the students were given the opportunity to do a project on their own, they were much more motivated to complete it and finished quicker. This resulted in many of them receiving 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards which clearly shows how much more successful they can be. Also, when students have the opportunity to design projects themselves, it is much more engaging because they are able to execute the project in the way they please. Once they are more focused and committed to what they like, they create more advanced and successful projects that can enhance their learning, as opposed to forcing students to doing something they have no interest to do in the first place. Allowing student-designed summer projects can help them complete their project successfully due to them being more motivated to do it and being able to choose what they want.
Teacher designed projects can be very restricting and dull, which can make students have a more difficult learning process. Since teachers and students have completely different perspectives, when teachers design projects they tend to forget to consider how the student may react to it. Teachers may pick projects that are not interesting for the student and don't catch the attention of them, which makes it much harder for the student to start the project or learn anything. Many teachers I have had in the past have assigned very restricting projects that leave no room for creativity or choice, which makes it nearly impossible for students to be interested in it. Once the student is not interested, their learning process has been completely hindered by their teachers since the students have no input or ability to be creative. Furthermore, when students are assigned a project they do not want to do in the first place, it makes it much harder for them to have the drive to even start the project, which prevents them from learning anything at all. It is much harder for students to learn, or anyone in general, when they have no interest in something or do not want to complete it. When teachers design projects themselves they don't give the students the ability to be creative, which leads to restricting and boring projects that prevent students from being able to adequately learn.
A valid argument that may be proposed by people in favor of teacher-designed summer projects is that student-designed projects won't continue to develop the learning that the teachers require. However, their is a simple way to ensure that the students are still learning while making student-designed projects; the teachers could make a basic rubric or requirement that may ask for a few topics or ideas to be covered while still allowing the students to design the projects on their own. For example, a Spanish language class could assign a student-designed summer project for students to demonstrate their Spanish speaking skills in any that they please, but may require the students to use 10 conjugated verbs. Doing so allows for a student to still be creative and design the project themselves and guarantee that the learning aspect is incorporated into their project. Also, by giving students freedom to design the project how they please, this allows them to do more research and exploring on their own, which can branch out their learning not only into the required curriculum, but also learn other valid information in the long run. When the students choose how they design their project, they will have be able to be more independent and this can teach the students various more topics and they can do tasks on their own without the teachers pressuring them. Allowing student-designed projects can still allow them to continue their learning in the summer because the students can have the ability to explore and research themselves, and teachers can still install a basic requirement that ensures their learning process but still gives the student freedom.
Summer projects should be student-designed because the students will be more likely to complete it successfully and teacher-designed projects are far more restricting and dull. Student-designed projects can open up a student's imagination and creativity, and also allow them to be independent and learn on their own. They will enjoy the project more and be stay motivated, allowing them to create a more successful project that can deepen their learning. In the end, they will have a great final project and still be able to have a great summer. | 6 | 978 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Black/African American | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
0BF9F64D6FD1 | Students across all age groups look forward to the last day of school, the day summer vacation begins. From the endless memories summer entails, to the exciting, fun experiences, summer vacation is one of the most beneficial times for students. For many high school students, teachers assign summer assignments or projects that relate to a class they may be taking in the upcoming school year. These assignments tend to require an expansive amount of time and also tend to be rather ineffective. In the summer students want to fill their time with exciting activities that they would enjoy. We live in the age of self exploration with some the most inquisitive students, but we still conform to the age old summer assignment system. In a new modern classroom setting, students should have the liberty to design their own summer projects because students are more inclined to learn when they have the liberty to decide their work, and the process of self exploration is the key to molding successful minds.
When given a task you do not enjoy, most people do either of two things. The first thing they do is rush the task to get it over with, and the second thing they do is push it off as much as they can. Similarly, when a student is given an assignment that is not of interest to them, the quality of work is very low. In reference to the summer, this general idea is heightened; a majority of students tend to push off assignments to the very latest, creating lackluster work and also not learning much from the assignment. Personally, I have experienced this repeatedly. When I was given a summer assignment for my English class this year, I was eager to read the book. While, the book was interesting the assignment was extremely long. The intended goal of the assignment was to expand the knowledge and analysis of the book, but after completing the assignment, I felt like that once held excitement and knowledge was gone. If I had the ability to design my own assignment relating to the book, I most likely would have enjoyed completing the assignment, allowing for an expansion of knowledge. This does not only apply to my experiences with summer assignments, but also applies to my overall experience as a student. When given the liberty to decide my own work, I am not only excited to work, but I am also more dedicated. When my education is in my hands, I produce some of my best work. Currently as a junior enlisted in a self led research class, I have learned so much about myself and the overall topic I am researching. Although at first the task at hand was daunting, I learned how to organize myself effectively and complete a thorough research project that I am happy with. By having the research project on my own, I am constantly thinking about it and I spend more time to work. Giving students the ability to decide their course of work is one of the most beneficial decisions a teacher can make for the future of a student.
Not only do students work harder when given the liberty to decide their assignments, but through self exploration, teachers builds strong, inquisitive minds. Some of the most successful people are regarded for their fame and success due to self exploration. In Benjamin Franklin's famous autobiography, he shares his experiences through self exploration. Growing up in a poor household, Franklin's father could not afford to send him to a traditional college education, but through Franklin's own personal endeavors and exploration, he became one of America's founding fathers, discovered lightning, and paved a legacy that is still remembered today. Simple self exploration can start with these summer projects. When a student is given their own freedom, remarkable results can follow. The purpose of a curriculum is to mend our future minds into strong, independent thinkers, so by implementing simple strides of self exploration, schools and teachers are able to mold the minds of successful students. In my own experiences, self exploration has made a remarkable impact. When I was 15 I started my first company, learning everything on my own with the help of a few mentors along the way. Not only did I grow as a person, but my knowledge for business also grew tremendously. Through the use of online resources, videos, and contacts, I was able to produce something I am truly proud of. The work I put in, was time I wanted to because I was truly passionate about what I was doing. That passion is what we need to strive for. From simple opportunities for self exploration during the summer to long term projects, as a society we need to move towards encouraging self education and self exploration.
The future is in the hands of my generation, and we must make the most of it. The overall benefit of students having their education in their hands, outweighs the potential negative repercussions. Some may predict that students may slack off when given the opportunity to create their own summer projects. While this is possible, when a student is pushed, surprising results follow. In addition, giving students that necessary push is how we can create a brighter future. Overall, enacting a policy in which students create their own summer projects not only creates inquisitive students now, but our leaders in the future. | 6 | 902 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
A1F525B4AAB7 | Although it may seem logical to have students do a teacher-designed project over the summer, it happens to cause students more harm than good. Students should be in control of their own projects over the summer. If the summer projects are created by students, then the thought process of them will promote creativity in a student. Another positive impact of having students create their own summer projects is that is raises the levels of responsibility within themselves. They would also be prepared for life after school if their summer projects were student-designed. Students would benefit more positively to designing their own summer projects as it would increase their creativity, aid them into being more responsible, as well as prepare them for adulthood.
Students should be in charge of their own summer project as it'll help them grow creatively. Since the projects are student-designed, then students would have to think outside of the box to create a project that will stand out among their fellow peers. If students were in charge of their own summer project, they would be motivated to learn new ways to apply their new knowledge to the world. Also, it gives the student the chance to explore areas of knowledge outside of the standard curriculum they are given, further more enhancing their creativity. For example, a student could learn editing skills and video design if they decided that their summer project was to create a video about the history of Shakespeare. Since the student was able to make their own rules to their project, the outcome of the project is more likely to benefit them creatively than if the project was to be teacher-designed. Not only do student-designed projects push the students to become more creative, but it also pushes another important factor onto them.
A student would become more responsible is they were to have student-designed summer projects. Due to the project being in the hands of the student, their grade would also be in their hands. This means that if the student failed to complete their project over the summer, their grade would suffer with them. Furthermore, students would have to schedule when they plan to complete their summer project, and how much time they will need to gather the materials and produce it. If they are unable to submit their project online, the student would need to become more organizational in order not to lose their project. An example would be a student receiving a poor grade on a project they underestimated the amount of time needed to complete it and failed to turn in on time, causing the student to be at fault due to a lack in responsibility. As it increases responsibility in a student, it aids them for handling the near future of adulthood.
Being in control of their own project would prepare students for life after school. A student might gain a sense of individuality from their peers since they had to create their own design for a project. Along side a sense of individuality will be the realization of how life really operates, as there are no guides to tell a person what to do in the long run. Being in charge of their own summer project will also prepare them for a work place environment, as the students realize that they need to find different ways to complete a given task if they were not given a way in the first place. In the future, when the student is employed, they will be able to sufficiently complete any work their boss gives them if the boss did not directly inform the student how. Allowing students to design their own summer project will help aid them in adulthood.
It would only be beneficial if summer projects were created by students and not teachers. The students creativity will increase as they are pushed to design a project that stands out among others. Also, they are more likely to have higher levels of responsibility as they are the ones who are in charge of their own grade. Lastly, students would be prepared for adulthood as they are given a better understanding of how life will work. Student-designed projects would aid students further in life than if they were given teacher-designed ones. After completing school, life no longer has a teacher as to instruct a person as to what to do next. | 6 | 726 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
8C0D1A4261C0 | Work assigned over the summer is very much dreaded by students, but does that mean students should be the ones designing these assignments? A majority of schools assign summer assignments to ensure that students still receive an education during their time off from school. While there is much debate on whether the student should have the right to design these projects, the best option is for these projects to be teacher-designed. Summer projects should be teacher-designed because it ensures that students will work efficiently, understand the topic, and that the assignments will be safe and appropriate.
In order to have quality work produced, and productive students, summer projects must be teacher-designed. Having set rules and requirements created by teachers, ensures that students will complete the tasks to a high level. During the summer, students would rather not have educational work to focus on, but projects created by the teacher enforces these students to do so. If these projects were student-designed, it could potentially allow them to finesse the system, and create a project that does not require much thinking and work. Student-designed projects also leaves room for error. Projects constructed by students leaves the door open for many mistakes, which will ultimately hurt the student in the end. This prevents students from working efficiently and fully understanding the topic they are working on. The goal of teacher-designed projects is to not control the students, but to make sure that the students are obtaining knowledge, understand the assignment, and are producing high quality work. Students may be confused or have numerous of questions with student-designed projects since there are no specific guidelines and rules, so having teacher-designed projects are ideal because they explicitly state what they are looking for.
Teacher-designed projects come with a list of guidelines and criteria that prevents students from working on something that could potentially be dangerous or inappropriate. If students had the ability to come up with their own projects, it gives them an opportunity to select a topic that could be unsafe or not school appropriate. This is especially important for science projects or English assignments. Giving students the power to choose their projects could be risky when it comes to these two subjects. For science projects, students could end up harming themselves with unsafe chemicals or substances because a lack of a rubric and criteria created by the teacher. For English assignments, students might choose controversial topics that are not appropriate for the school environment, but would not know due to a lack of strict guidelines. The possibility of projects being unsafe and inappropriate are not likely if they are designed by teachers.
Some may argue that assignments should be student-designed because it allows the student to express themselves creatively through their work. By displaying their creativity and thought process, it makes the idea of having work over the summer more enjoyable. However, having projects that are created by the student leaves room for interpretation, which could confuse students, and may take them in the wrong direction. In addition, some students may not be that creative, and cannot come up with a project on their own. Teacher-designed assignments still allow students to show what they know, but with stricter guidelines to ensure that quality work is being produced from the students. If students are allowed to design their own projects, it might result in an end product that does not meet the standard of work it should, especially since students would rather not complete work in the summer. Because of these issues and flaws, having student-design projects is not a wise choice.
Having teacher-designed projects is the best option for both teachers and students because it guarantees that students are working hard to meet the requirements of the assignment, comprehending the topic of the project, and working on projects that are both safe and school appropriate. In order for schools to ensure that students continue learning during their break, the most effective project for students to work on, is one designed by teachers. | 6 | 669 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Two or more races/Other | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
642D8D81E5FE | Summer is a time to relax and go outside, but it is also a good chance to learn outside of the classroom. Many schools will assign projects that a student is to complete by the time they return to school the next year. These summer projects ensure that students continue to learn over summer break. Summer projects should be designed by teachers rather than the students because while some may argue that students will choose something they are passionate about learning, in reality students will choose the most quick and simple project to complete. Additionally, students would benefit from it being teacher-designed because teachers understand future material, teachers know what material from the previous year is most important to review, and teachers can personally guide students to success.
Some say that if students were to design their own summer projects, they would grow from the experience of working on something they are passionate about. They believe that if a student was, for example, passionate about oceanography and their school did not offer a course on it, it would be beneficial for the student to be able to pursue it during the summer. Nevertheless, this is not true for all students. Many students do not have the drive to choose a challenging topic for their project- they would simply want to get it out of the way. This would not benefit these students as they would not learn nor grow from the project.
It is vital that teachers design the summer projects because the students do not know what material will be covered when they return to school in the fall. Teachers can prepare their students for the coming school year through these projects. For example, if a student was to take chemistry the next year, a teacher could do an introduction to chemistry project that would prepare the student for the class. If a student were to choose the project themselves, he or she may not pick a chemistry related project. He or she would then struggle once he or she entered the class. Another example is that in general, when beginning a new topic, it is good to give students a head-start so that they can understand the topic before they enter the class. This can work as a foundation for students to build upon throughout the year. This basic foundation can be enough to help students achieve success.
Next, if projects are teacher-designed, teachers can review past material. For example, math is a subject that continues to use past knowledge to build on itself and go further. Thus, if a student were to forget math they learned the previous year, it would be catastrophic to their ability to learn math the following year. As an additional example, if one remembers everything from the prior year, a student can return to the next school year as if the break never occurred. However, if a student were to forget everything they learned the past school year, they would, consequently, struggle to relearn all of the material during the next year.
Finally, if the project is teacher-designed, they can pick specific areas that students do not know or understand. Typically, one is unable to tell what he or she does not know because he or she does not know it. Therefore, a teacher can personalize the projects to the student. This would help students because they could perfect skills, learn more, and understand concepts they did not previously know. A personalized project would prevent students from having to catch up once the school year began again. Furthermore, teachers being able to pick certain areas for students to work on over the summer ensures that they can provide students with the ability to maintain important skills. The teachers know which skills are most important, not the students. Maintaining skills vital for the following year will greatly benefit students as they can enter the next year of their education fully prepared.
Thus having the teachers choose the summer project is the best option.
Summer projects should be designed by teachers rather than the students because even though some students may choose a project they are passionate about learning, many students will choose a project that they believe will be easy. Additionally, students would benefit from it being teacher-designed because teachers know the next year's material, teachers understand the importance of certain material from the previous year that should be reviewed, and teachers can help personally aid a student in learning what he or she does not know yet or what skills he or she needs to maintain. Because of these reasons, summer projects should be designed by teachers to assure that students continue learning over heir break. While summer can be a time to relax and decompress, summer projects created by teachers can help students grow. | 6 | 795 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
5F43AAA89373 | School projects over the summer are often boring, repetitious, and not engaging in a students interests or specific ideals. It does not have to be this way though, schools and teachers can change the way they assign and grade projects by simply allowing the students to take charge and develop their own projects. Summer projects should be student designed in nature as to promote creativity in the students, allow students to take control of their education, and give students complete and total freedom in how and what to work on. Students deserve the chance to prove that they can really be trusted to engage in their education in their unique and exciting ways, they should not be trapped into a small project that teachers grade all the same.
Many people would argue that teacher designed projects are better for students as they provide a clear and easy to follow rubric and guidelines for students to follow. While it is true that a clear outline and specifications would create an easier project for the students and teachers, is the point of a project not to challenge the students to work harder and show off what they know and can do? Student designed projects would not hamper the students by making each project a copy of the last through students following the same guidelines and thinking the same ways to complete the project. Students should control their own project and make it unique and their own special version of a basic idea that the teacher can then grade on a case by case basis instead of treating each project as something that must conform to fit specific rules. Allowing students the ability to truly have freedom is a far superior benefit than that of easier grading and simple goals in a narrow range of a teacher designed project.
Student based projects written without a strict rubric in mind will promote creativity and free thought in the students that have to create these projects. If each student is allowed to be the manager and creator of their own works then the students would feel more invested in their efforts and more careful and diligent in what they produce for their project. Students will likely think of new and exciting ideas to implement in their own ways and bring a new level of entertainment and creative thinking into what could potentially be a boring project. Students would almost certainly develop fun, intriguing, and totally unique ways of solving problems, showing off skills, and any other topics that they could think of. Summer projects could only be enhanced beyond what they are now by allowing students the creative and physical freedoms to complete their projects in the ways that they seem fit and are passionate about.
If students were allowed to design their own projects over summer then they would take more initiative and control over their own education. Students being forced to adhere to a code of guidelines and mandatory pieces in their projects would take away control from the students and force them to do a project thats been done before just with different words. Allowing students to take control over their education would also help to bring about an end to a problem many students will no doubt face; procrastination, as students would make their projects something fun and look forward to working on. In addition to ending procrastination, student designed projects would also mean students would generally work harder and care more about their projects as these would be tasks that they poured their heart and soul into, they would be individually responsible for their own success and feel that they should work harder and give more effort into this project that they alone thought of, created, and worked hard on. Student designed projects are no doubt the future of school work during he summer break partly because of their ability to give the students the pride of control and the strong sense of initiative that simply does not come from a strict, teacher designed summer project.
A last detail that proves student based projects are superior is that they give the students complete and total freedom over what to make, how to make it, and when to make it. This means that students would not be restricted to doing a certain task, in a certain way, at a certain time merely to fit with the guidelines of the project that they were thoughtlessly assigned. The freedom to create what they, the students, want is a feeling of euphoria for students, a breath of fresh air in the stale and often controlling school environment. Allowing students to have the freedom of choice, especially over summer when the last thing a student wants is to be burdened with a teachers strict code of demands for a very narrow minded project with simple goals, is a feeling that empowers the students and makes them feel as though their opinions, interests, and personalities truly matter to their schools. Allowing summer projects to be far more than narrow teacher created silhouettes of topics students dont care about could only help the classes and school.
To conclude this argument school projects that are assigned over the summer should be totally and wholly student designed with limited specific instruction by the teachers. Firstly, an open ended project without a strict rubric would clearly promote creativity and free thought in the students that must complete said work. Second, students would show more control and initiative over their own education and ways of completing broad assigned tasks. Lastly, students would be granted the freedom to complete and enhance their education and projects with their own unique interests and special considerations. This quite clearly proves that summer projects being teacher designed are inferior to those projects that are thought of, designed by, enhanced by, and supported by individual students and their individual personalities. All teachers and schools should absolutely adopt this doctrine of free choice and open thought in all summer projects. | 6 | 996 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
9E3A10CC0A72 | For the past few years, teachers have been implementing a new way for students to be still continuing to learn even over the summer break, summer assignments. Summer assignments are, rightfully so, teacher created assignments that are put in play for higher level classes for the purpose to prepare students for what is to come in the following year, as well as, to help them get a good start in grades and knowledge.
Teachers in these higher level classes spend a lot of time teaching material to students and never have enough days in the year to teach it all without cramming it down the throats of their pupils, thus creating the need for the summer assignment. In Advanced Placement classes, teachers want to make sure that students are learning the right material and the right amount of it too, which is why it is much more teacher created and designed then student. In Advanced Placement Language and Composition, the summer assignment consisted of specific instructions to find fifteen different sources for certain topics and write short precis on each one; however, the students were able to choose what sources they used as long as they followed the guidelines. This gave the student a little bit of freedom to choose, while the assignment was still teacher designed. This method was extremely beneficial to the following year once enrolled in the class due to the type of work students were doing right off the bat. Throughout the year, teachers create class work every day for their students to help them on their way to a good grade in the class and a better understanding of the material. No one argues that students should make class work, that wouldn't be practical for the class since they are the ones learning the information. Shouldn't the same be said for the summer assignment due to it being the very first assignment of the year before the class even started?
When teachers let students create their own work, it can become more of a hurting situation rather than a helping situation. There are many different types of students in classroom settings, but a trait most have in common is the apathy to do homework, projects, or class work. Asking a student to complete an assignment over their three month break over the summer is difficult enough; therefore, asking them to design the project themselves and execute it? There is no way they will be prepared to come back to school and preform well in the class. Teachers themselves know the most about the subject they teach, the students take the class to learn said subject from the teacher because they don't know it yet. How could teachers expect students to create an effective summer assignment on a subject they don't know anything about yet? In some respects, student designed projects can be beneficial. Most students possess the resentment of work in general assigned by a teacher; however, maybe if the students were to create the summer assignments themselves, put their own spin on it and make it their own to help them learn the lesson better, it could be beneficial to the teachers having that load off of them for the year to start. Students love freedom, they love to be able to do what they want and control their lives and school work, if they are given the freedom to create their own summer assignment then quite possibly, the outcome might be much more creative and interesting. Yes this could work, giving the students freedom, but it also has been done before and the effect has been, contrary to popular belief, less then stellar. In Pre-Advanced Placement World History, students were required to plan, create, and execute an entire project based off of a topic of their choice relating to world history and present it to the class. It was expected that students would create said project at an Advanced Placement level skill set, that did not go as planned. Students would come into class during work days and do absolutely nothing, treating the block like a study hall, and when it came time to present projects, they had next to nothing, or something that could be done by a sixth grader. Students did not take the assignment seriously and could not be trusted to create projects or assignments on their own. When asked why the poor outcome of the project, students protested with arguments of how it was their assignment to design and how it was unfair of teachers to judge them on their skill set for that even though the real reason was them slacking off to still get a grade; therefore, it is out of question whether or not students should be able to create assignments for themselves, let alone be trusted with the task.
Ever since school has been in session it has been the same way, the teachers create the work and teach, and the students work and learn. Why would we change that now? Students have proven to be untrustworthy in creating their own work on numerous occasions and should not be designing work for subjects they haven't even learned yet. The summer assignments were created for teachers to get students a head start on the upcoming year for the advanced class that they were taking, it is supposed to prepare them for what is to come. The students have not learned this material, the teachers have, lets leave the assignment designing to the ones who know what they are talking about and know how the course is going to go, and the learning up to the students. | 6 | 936 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
14A542270754 | Some schools require that students complete projects over the summer. In my personal experience, they have all been teacher-designed, but what if summer projects were mostly student-designed? The more you think about it the more it makes sense. Not only is it more interesting and engaging for students, there is also a compelling scientific foundation for its effects on childrens' learning.
Let's begin with the obvious advantage: students will love it compared to what the teacher assigns, which has pedagogical benefits because students are more ambitious and engaged. This is mostly due to the fact that students can choose the things that better relate to their interests. They become interested in both the project and the relevant part of the curriculum. Applying the information you learned in previous school year is an excellent way to test what you've learned - and applying it to something you genuinely care about is the best test of your understanding. Also, people must be interested in a project before they can be enthusiastic (or willing at the least) to engage with the it, and everyone knows that engagement is a good thing for learning. Students incorporating something into their break makes them even more likely to do it, a fact that has had especially important bearing for me this last year, where it's been challenging to stay on top of the workload. The few times I've taken some days off to relax, I noticed that it was comparatively really difficult to get myself to do stuff when starting again. I feel even more apprehensive if I get out of the habit entirely. It's simple: when you give a student a break, they're more likely to engage in school projects if they feels like a part of their break, so not only does letting students design their own projects provide quality, but quantity. Here's an example which fits perfectly with what I'm saying: I walked into my History of the Americas class at the beginning of the year, and many of my peers who were top students had not finished reading the books they were assigned during the summer and fudged the details on the accompanying paper. When listening to them, the most common remarks were about how dry and uninteresting the prescribed book list was and how having to do it in the summer was an annoyance that they just wanted to put off. Meanwhile, most student-designed projects I know of provide much better learning and motivation. The biggest example I've in my mind when writing this is my experience with the I'm in the IB program, where students are required to complete an
Extended Essay, a 16 - 20 page paper on a subject of your choice. Because I can do mine on the physics and mathematics of a diabolo (similar to a yo-yo), and I spend a lot of my free time invested in this object anyway, I've never looked forwards to a project so much in my life (not to mention I love math and problem solving)! I started last summer by doing some experiments, and have since been leaning towards the math side to discover new math (like the calculus in a Lagrangian) and push myself, actually using what I've learned in school. The opportunity for involvement and motivation offered by student-designed projects (especially during the summer) is great enough that I believe it would be worth it for teachers to adopt in place of more traditional assignments.
Some people say summer projects have to support the student for the rigor of the following school year, and that student designed projects will not demand the same skills needed to prepare them for the next year. Therefore, teachers instead of students should make summer assignments. But to the contrary, a large body of evidence supports that with minimal guidance from the teacher over the summer, taking longer breaks from hard and tiresome work isn't that detrimental for your learning. While I realize that student-designed projects may fall short in providing the work ethic needed for the following year, I don't think that's the point of summer work. The point is that you take a long break to refresh you for the next year so you don't burnout (e. g. senioritis). Furthermore, most people figure out how to keep up with the workload by the end of the following year anyways. And, even if students make it slightly easier, it is still reflective the curriculum - and in the long run it's that knowledge that matters, especially later in life. Likewise, if students can put it off for a month or so, that isn't really a bad thing. Spacing, or leaving what learning and then coming back to it right when you're almost forgetting it, is one of the most scientifically backed learning techniques we know of. In one study, students were asked to memorize words in Spanish, but split into multiple groups. As compared to the control of 8 hours of straight studying, the group that studied four hours, then four hours an entire month later, did over twice as well on a test of that vocabulary after the study. Because of the clear benefits of avoiding burnout and spacing, it's best if students take advantage of the freedom how they feel, so long as they engage with something .
Student-designed projects that can spark student's creativity also help teachers, since it's much easier and safer for them just to let a student create it themselves. Sure, there is a chance the teacher might get it right, but it's not guaranteed. And finally, there's nothing to lose. Yes, kids might cram it in the week before break ends, but remember that most kids already do that. It's fair to say that student-designed projects are a win for learning, creativity, teachers, and students alike that we're missing out on.
Student-designed projects both prepare students better for the next year while helping them consolidate what they've learned previously better than most teacher made assignment ever could, with few exceptions. So, while I don't think that student-designed projects are the key to perfect learning, but they are definitely a part of it. | 6 | 1,019 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
0589B2517D2C | In several schools have summer projects to complete during break to support learning year round and not just in school. These projects contain information from prior years to refresh the memories of students as well as useful information to know for the next school year. Like most assignments, the projects are normally designed by teachers to give to the students. While some believe it should be a student-designed assignment others thing teachers should be the ones making the work for the summer. These projects should be teacher-designed because the teachers will include all necessary information while students could leave some out, and teachers know what the students should focus on for the next year.
Teachers, on average, are much better at putting together assignment that contain all information that needs to be known then students are. This superior project building is due to the fact that teachers have much more experience with it. Almost every day, instructors put together a lesson plan to follow for class they they follow to best instruct the pupils in their class. The daily practice of putting together plans for learning allows teachers to efficiently put together in depth lesson plans fast then the average student. These planning skills would allow for teachers to put together a strict and detailed program of studies for the summer. Also, teachers have a lot of experience putting together and formatting tests and quizzes of varying difficulty. Format is very important to a project for it do be easy to understand and complete; students, however, generally lack this ability to format and easy to follow set of instruction or a test with easy to understand questions. Also, many teachers teach more than one class of varying difficulty and age level, so this could help them create a test the is at a good challenge level for most people where if the students wrote the test it would drift towards the extremes. This advance experience gained from teaching gives teachers more knowledge of the future and what is best to study for future classes.
The majority of teachers know what topics will appear in future classes so they can easily put together as program to focus on topics needed for next year. Some teachers teacher both lower and higher classes so they will be able to tell the students what to know before coming to class because they teach it. Also, if they are not a first year teacher, a teacher will know what their former students did not know for the class and pass that information on to rising students to study over the summer. Secondly, teachers always talk to their fellow coworkers about what they have taught or should teach to better prepare their students for the next level. By lower teachers communicating what the students do or do not know with higher level teachers, the advanced placement teachers can compile a list of what each student should learn coming into next year. This communication is a resource that is quite difficult for students to tap in to because the teachers know the course material much better.
However, it can be argued that students should put together the test because they know their own knowledge better than the teachers do. By marking what they do know, students could make an focused, personal course to follow that is made specifically for that one student. Also, by allowing for students to make the project for themselves it would be at exactly the right difficulty level for each and every student. While these statement do hold truth they fail to contribute in that most teenagers are far less responsible than most teachers.
In conclusion, teachers should design summer projects rather than students making them because teachers understand the course better than the students and are better will including all needed information. The lack of experience and resources on the side of the students make teachers generally better at forming projects. While some think students should have more freedom on what topics they study, the teachers just understand the topics better. | 6 | 674 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
F1CAD58CA0CE | There is a saying that goes as following: "You can take a horse to a lake, but you can not force it to drink from the lake." This saying can be applied to the way in which children are taught. A teacher can not force a child to learn new material in what the teacher considers an efficient way in teaching a student.
For example, a teacher may consider the idea of designing a summer project for their class that has the purpose of making sure that the students are still learning over the break. In that given situation, there is a better way to help the children. Coincidentally, a student-designed summer project rather than summer projects that are teacher-designed will help the children more. Summer learning projects should be student designed because it allows for the student to retain the information with more ease, feel a sense of leadership ,and the student will be more interested if they designed it.
First, student-designed summer projects are more beneficial because, it allows for the student to improve their academic skills. If the project is designed by a student they are more likely to remember it. The student will remember the information with more ease because they designed it themselves. By having a student take leadership of what they need to learn they will remember the information easier because they taught it to themselves. The student would take leadership in the form of designing their own project and what they learn therefore, they will remember it easier. Secondly, student-designed projects also, increase their critical thinking skill. By having a student design their own project they must carefully think about the project. This results in the student improving upon their critical thinking skill which is fundamental in academics.
Second, summer projects that are designed by students allows them to improve their skills. By having the student design their own project they are improving their leadership skill and the student will also be building their organization skills. With the student designing their project, they are in charge and have to take the responsibility of assuring they are learning something new. This allows the student to experience leadership and improve upon that skill. Not only will a student-designed project help the student in school but also in places that leadership is an essential skill such as the workplace, school or their community. The student would also be improving upon their organization skill. By designing a project, they have to make sure they design a rubric, a procedure and stay on track with the project making sure they do what must be done. That helps the student build their organization skill, another skill that is essential. For example, If a student designs a project in which, they complete a chemistry lab, that student must ensure they keep up with their data, procedure and much more. This enforces the student to be organized and keep up with their belongings. In summary, a student-designed project improves a students' leadership and organization.
By having student-designed projects it allows for the student to retain the information with more ease and improve their skills. Yet, a critic of a student designed project may argue that student-designed projects will be less organized due to a student not taking it as serious. However, by having the student design the project they will actually have more interest in it. If the student is given the opportunity to design the project, they will have the project focus more around what they are interested in, causing the student to take the project seriously. By giving the student the free-will to design the project, it results in an increase in their desire to complete the project and putting in more effort. For example, if a person that is more interested in science, and is given the option to read about math or chemistry, they will pick psychology because that is what they are more interested in science. This same scenario will apply to a student if given the option to design their project. With a student-designed project, allows for the student to have individuality in their project.
In the end, student-designed projects are more beneficial because it allows for the student to improve upon skills fundamental in academics, improve upon essential skills, and the student will have more interest in the project. Forcing a student to do a project does not help a student. The student is put in a rough position which creates the student to feel resentment towards the teacher and forces the student to do it out of obligation with little regard. This incidentally, does not help the student with knowledge whatsoever.
At the end of the day, is it really best to let a teacher design a project that is meant to be beneficial towards the student, if it is hurting the student ? | 6 | 805 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Black/African American | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
D659AD9F8DCB | Homework during the summer. That is a students worst nightmare. Now, instead of relaxing on a beach, care free, they have to worry about an assignment. Although students might not like this, summer projects are actually really beneficial for them because it helps them stay in learning mode and be ready to learn more when they go back to school. But who should design the projects, students or teachers? If students design the projects it would be a complete waste of time. The idea of this does not make sense at all because teachers are the ones who are supposed to teach and students are the ones who are supposed to learn. Teachers should be the ones designing summer projects because the project will actually help students learn the topic, there will be more stress put on students if they have to create their own project, and the project will help students be prepared for the next school year.
Some might argue that if the kids were allowed to design the project they would chose something that interests them and would make them want to do the assignment. However, this would be very unwise because even though the project would interest them, the topic might still be irrelevant which would eliminate the whole point of the assignment. This is a risk not worth taking because though some kids would design beneficial projects, there would also be those who hate the idea and would pick something easy to get it over with. Along with this, most of the time, teachers give students many choices to pick from. This means that out of all the choices a student can pick one that appeals to them the most making the project less of a chore.
To begin with, giving students a teacher-designed project would be the best thing to do because the project would help students learn the topic. What is a teachers job? To teach. So one is right to think that a teacher-designed project would only serve beneficial to students. For example, if a teacher gives his or her class a book reading project, where they have to read a book and create a presentation about it, the students would read a book that relates back to the class and would make them understand the topic better. By doing this, teachers give students an alternative than sitting in class writing everything on a paper. If a student was given the task of creating a project like this, they would fail to make it beneficial. Teachers are older which means they are wiser so they will create projects based off experience. They know the best ways to teach from the years of teaching. This means that they would only design a project that is beneficial for students.
Moving on, students will go through more stress if they are given the task to create and complete a project rather than the teacher doing it. This is clear to see because 99% of the time it is the teacher giving work so this change can be hard for students to adapt to. For example, if a kid has many activities such as sports and traveling going on during the summer, he will be more worried about the assignment because now he has to think of an original project to create which is harder than just completing one given to you. Students already have to go through the hardship of having a summer assignment. If they were assigned to also creating the project they would have an increase in the level of stress they receive. This is because now they have to do something they are not used to and that is more difficult as well. This type of stress can lead to students losing interests in social activities which in turn can lead to many negative outcomes such as lower grades, family problems, and eventually depression.
Last but not least, teacher-designed projects will lead to students being more prepared for the upcoming school year. Obviously the teacher knows more than the student about the class so they will know what the kid should be studying. For example, if a history teacher knows that next year the class will learn about World War 2 then he or she will assign a project which has the students research World War 2. Where as if students were given the choice to design their own project, the chances of it being related to what they do next year would be very low. This means that when the student goes to school the following year, he or she will not be prepared for what they have to learn. Which leads to them not doing as well as others and having lower grades. Ultimately this is humiliating for the kid and angering because he or she just spent a good part of their summer creating this project which in return has no value. This could all be avoided if teacher-designed projects were given to every student.
All in all, teacher designed-projects prove to serve better than student-designed ones. Teachers are the ones that know all the information about their class. So letting them design the project is the only logical solution. Students should be given teacher-designed projects to complete over the summer because the project will be helpful since the teacher already knows the topic making it so that the students will learn from it, there will be less stress put on students if they are given a project designed by teachers, and the project will help students be prepared for the next school year. Looking at the bigger picture, by not making students create the project it allows them to excel in many aspects of their lives. Not only do the kids do better but so do the people around the students. Teachers should always give students projects that they design. | 6 | 976 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
D23AF52352EA | Summers in High school are some of the best times in a persons life. The summer gives students the time to relax and unwind from all the hard work they put into the previous school year. Some schools over the summer want their students to continue their learning by giving them a project. Summer projects should be designed by the students because it gives the students a sense of motivation, students can develop social and creativity skills, and a students extracurricular activities wont be affected.
Firstly, motivation will be developed if students designed their own summer projects. Its proven that most students need motivation in order to do their work. By having students design their own projects they will have the motivation to finish, due to it putting forth their own interests onto the project instead of teachers interests. In addition, it can also explore a students interest in a subject and that can expand their mind in learning and critical thinking. For example, a problem with teachers designing these projects is that students don't care about the material and don't retain the information. This can effect the students grades and lead to a downturn and possibly effect their future grades. A student designed project will help a student retain information better because its on their level of understanding and would create more fun for the student while they are learning the material. Furthermore, during the school year when teachers give projects students rarely turn them in on time. If projects were student designed then students will develop the motivation needed to finish because it is their creative interests rather than their teachers given guidelines.
Secondly, creativity and social skills can be developed if summer projects were student designed. Student projects developed by teachers are normally in a certain subject or area and every student has to follow the given criteria. This can then effect how students communicate and problem solve in school. Creativity is lacking in these students not just because of technology but because the teachers design everything for them. Summer projects should be a time for students to be able to put their creativity to the test. Projects designed by students will take a lot of thinking and they will try many different design to create something which will increase their creativity due to them not following restricted guidelines given by the teacher. Another thing lacking is the social skills a student develops. For example if a history teacher gives students a history project assignment about the Civil War everyone in that class has to do the same thing and no one really talks to each other about it. If students designed the summer projects it enables students to socialize with each other and discuss the different topics that interest them creating a more social environment rather then having a certain view point handed to them.
Lastly, a students extracurricular activities won't be affected if summer projects were student designed. During the summer, families normally take vacations and some students are able to work and even get internships to get experience in different job fields. These students dont have much time on their hands to be able to finish a complicated project. A student going on vacation to Greece with their family doesn't want to stay inside and waste their time doing a complicated project designed by a teacher that they might not even understand. A student designed project can help create a better understanding for the student and they can finish is quicker without it interfering with their family time. In addition, Students with jobs and internships might not have the time to be able to complete a project. These students have schedules and standards they have to follow in order for them to keep their position at their workplace. A complicated project will either interfere with their job and effect their employment or be left unfinished and when the school year comes around their grade will take suffer. But, if the student designed the project then one could actually finish it and enjoy it rather than dread it and not being able to finish it due to their other work commitments.
Some may argue that since the teachers know the material they should design the summer projects. If teachers design it the project will then produce more accurate information for the students knowledge and help them get a good start in the upcoming school year. Though that's a valid reason, The teachers arent the ones who are actually doing the project and learning the new information given. The project might appeal to teachers interests but that won't help the students retain the information if its not something they enjoy or they find the criteria difficult. Whereas a student designed project will help the student because most of them have the same level of understanding the material and students can give each other tricks into memorizing and learning the information. Summer projects shouldn't be designed by teachers because that can effect a students motivation toward the project, it can interfere with a students summer activities, and social and creativity skills won't be developed. The summer shouldn't be a time of stress for students as they have just gone through plenty of it. By developing a system of having students designing the summer project rather than the teachers, can create more possibilities for a students mind and the generations after it. | 6 | 897 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
7BC672095230 | For many students, summer is a time to relax their minds after their strenuous school year of homework, projects, and exams. However, many schools implement summer projects to keep young students' minds sharp. Whether summer reading, research projects, or vocabulary, schools highly encourage their teachers to implement summer projects onto their students. When constructed by the teacher, summer projects allow students to reach their full potential due to is close relationship to the curriculum, the academic foundation it provides for the upcoming school year, and the equal amount of work for all students.
Firstly, teacher-designed projects are designed by those actually teaching the subject. When teachers create the summer projects for their students, those students in return are given a preview of what they will be learning during the school year. Commonly, students enter a course unsure of what exactly they will be learning. They might expect for their year to focus on one subject whereas the curriculum may only briefly cover it. When students receive teacher-designed projects, the students are familiarized with what to expect out of their course. For instance, history teachers may assign a research project of a specific time period. With specificity provided by the teachers, students gain clarity on what they will be taught in their new classes. Aside from showing students what they will be learning, teacher-designed projects also teach the students.
Because schools encourage teachers to implement summer assignments to better prepare students for the upcoming school year, these projects serve to ease students into their courses. For instance, prior to my junior year of high school I received a teacher-designed project in my AP Biology course. With junior year being my first year of AP courses, I was unfamiliar with what the class would entail. Fortunately however, the project designed by my teacher provided me a basis of what I would begin to learn in Fall and the depth of what my understanding would need to be. Although a long project, I learned vocabulary terms and studied biological processes which became useful throughout the school year in the class. Through completion of the project, although inexperienced with such high level classes, I entered the school year confident and ready for my college leveled assignments. With my understanding of the content I would be learning, I also earned time-management skills as I knew how much effort would be needed for the class. Despite as a student I found the summer assignment to be tedious, those teacher-designed projects fully prepared me for my intensive class load for my junior year of high school.
Although some may argue for the student-designed projects, unfortunately certain students may take advantage of its given flexibility. With increase popularity of sports, jobs, and extracurricular activities, among high school students, certain students may not put in all of their effort for projects they create for oneself. Where students with a full schedule may complete the project at the bare minimum, other students may design long, elaborate projects. When students are assigned teacher-designed projects, students work at the same level. By taking in account both ends of the spectrum, teachers design projects at a middle ground to create assignments with a proper, realistic amount of work doable for all of their students.
With schools having the goal to assure continued learned during the course of academic breaks, teacher-designed projects are ideal in achieving this goal. By teachers developing projects for their students to complete over break, students gain confidence in the upcoming school year. Through these projects, teachers help students develop skills necessary for their classes. Despite the implication of impeding on students' summer vacation, schools mandating teacher-design projects assure students are well prepared for their return in September. | 6 | 611 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Black/African American | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
200AA7A37060 | Over the years many schools have assigned summer projects as a way to help keep students minds active while on break. These projects can include reflection essays, construction, reading catalogs, and many other wonderful things. At the moment many of these projects are designed by the teachers, however many schools are considering switching to projects designed by the students. Students designed teacher approved projects would be better for the future of education as they would allow students to think critically, increase their desire to learn, and tailor projects to their strengths and learning styles.
To begin student designed projects allow for more creativity and critical thinking rather than fallowing a check list the teacher created. Most teacher designed projects rely on specific structures and check list drawn up by the teacher for the students to fallow. They do no prompt the students to: think, learn, ponder, and reflect, rather they give students a list of mundane tasks to complete and check off. Critical thinking and complex learning comes from hands on practice thought and refection. Giving a student a complex prompt or problem and allowing them to design the project themselves in order to answer it, stimulates the brain far more than handing the student an assignment where the answers have already been neatly planed and laid out by the teacher. For a better education students need to be able to solve problems on their own and chart their own waters, they will never grow if they are always defendant on a teacher to tell them what to do and how to do it.
Furthermore student designed projects allow students to focus on things they find interesting and want to learn about increasing their overall desire to learn. Often times struggling students or children who "hate" school may just feel bored and there are many students who don't try in school because they feel like the subjects they study have no purpose or that it will have no value for their future career. These students often do not participate in teacher designed summer projects as many see summer as their time off from the burden of school and teacher projects appear as boring and useless to them. If these students were allowed to design hear projects, however, so that they focused on topics important to them there could very well be an increase in their participation and desire to learn. When people study things they like and enjoy the often perform better this can be seen at schools like the Generic_School MATA programs where every student who attends wants to be there and as a result they are active and engaged each day. It can be inferred that if the logic applied to the MATA programs is applied to summer projects, students studying things they enjoy increases learning motivation, more students would participate and find value in summer projects.
In addition to the a fore mentioned points student design projects could be tailored to a students academic need and strengths in a way teacher designed projects are not. While many teachers say no child left behind that is often not the case with summer projects. Because these projects are assigned before the teacher gets the chance to really know the students a it is difficult to adjust to a students specific needs. A teacher may assign project with lots of heavy reading not knowing that a few of her students are dyslexic, or a different teacher may assign something on a topic many of the students are already well versed in so it has little value to repeat it. Student designed projects would avoid these conflicts as the students know themselves best and could be able to tailor their project to their strengths. Many English classes have already found success in doing this where instead of assigning books that students may have already read or are difficult for some to read, these classes allow students to study books of their choice or listen to audio books. Student designed projects are often more applicable to students lives and as a result they are a better form of education and learning than teacher designed projects.
Some may contradict that student designed projects would promote laziness and the students would not learn anything of value from them. This is why these projects would have to be teacher approved; however, even if they are not the value of learning to think and the other benefits of student designed projects outweighs the over specified structure of the teacher designed projects.
In the end student designed projects are most beneficial to students due to their freedom to allow for critical thinking, the study of subjects students enjoy increasing learning motivations, and their unique ability to be tailored to each students needs. | 6 | 782 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
C4FE46E6BC7C | The last day of school is the best day of the year for many students. It signals the end of homework, the end of tests, and the beginning of months of freedom. However, many schools require students to complete summer projects over break, hoping they will encourage students to continue to learn outside of school. While some argue that these projects should be designed by teachers to be a continuation of subjects learned in school, it is more beneficial when the projects are student-designed because they allow students to be creative, explore personal interests, and choose a project that will be realistic for them to complete without the resources provided by school.
Despite the strong arguments for student-designed summer projects, many still argue that teacher-designed projects are more beneficial to students. Teacher-designed projects are often a continuation of the curriculum students finished in the last school year, or work to prepare them for the next school year's curriculum. For example, a high school student transitioning from world history to government may be instructed to visit a local government building and interview a government worker to learn about their career. This would give them an understanding of what local government does for the community before they take their high school government class. However, for many students this would be a burden. It would feel like a waste of time if they were not interested in the subject assigned. If students are going to be required to do a summer project, it is better for them to design their own projects that they will enjoy.
One reason supporting why students should design their own summer projects is that in doing so they have the opportunity to develop creative and unique projects. By allowing students to choose any topic for their project, they are inspired to think outside the topics covered in school and produce a project catered to their summer surroundings. An example of this would be a student who is traveling to Europe for summer break. They could develop a project about the ancient architecture of Greece, the beautiful mountain ranges of Italy, or the exquisite cuisine of France. These projects would encourage students to explore their surroundings and bring a unique perspective back to their learning communities.
In addition, another reason why student-designed summer projects are better than teacher-designed ones is that they allow students to explore their personal interests. Without the restriction of subjects taught in the classroom, students can choose a topic they are interested in, ultimately making the assignment more enjoyable. If a high school student already knows what they want to do beyond high school, they can use the opportunity to center their project around working at an internship and learn valuable career skills, or focus it on studying subjects that will prepare them for college. A good example of a student who was not caged in by the subjects taught in school is Greta Thunberg. Greta's work in raising awareness of climate change and working with world leaders to improve the planet was not part of her school's curriculum in any way. If Greta had been forced to spend her free time studying subjects she had no interest in, she would have been unable to explore the fields in which she was passionate about. Therefore, allowing students to design projects that are centered around their own outside interests leads to more rewarding and beneficial projects.
Finally, a main reason why student-designed projects are better for students over the summer is that with the ability to design their own project students can make one that is realistic and achievable for themselves individually. Many students have summer jobs, visit family, or go on vacation over summer break. With busy schedules a large scale project requiring daily work would be too stressful or unrealistic for many students to accomplish. By designing their own project, they can design something that would be achievable for them based off of their summer schedule. Another common problem with teacher-designed projects is that they often assume students have access to the same resources that they do during the school year. Many students do not have computers or internet access in their homes, especially if they are traveling out of the country. A project requiring access to a computer would be unrealistic for many students. If a student has traveled away from home for the summer, a project involving local locations or environments would also be unrealistic. The ability to design their own summer project would be crucial for students in these situations, as they could come up with something that would work well for them.
In conclusion, student-designed projects are more beneficial to students than teacher-designed projects because they give students the opportunity to express creativity, develop unique projects, explore their outside interests, and design projects that work for their situation. Yet, no matter how summer projects are designed, it is important for students to continue to learn over the summer, and throughout their lifetime. Developing a sense of curiosity and exploration in youth will lead to a brighter future and a more innovative generation. | 6 | 846 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
07BD57F7F45F | Is a student to be trusted with the same decisions as an experienced teacher, even when the decisions impact them? The decisions in question are summer assignments and if students should be the ones to decide the nature of their assignments or if the teacher should still be the one to make the assignments. I believe it would be best if these summer assignments were teacher-designed because teachers understand what students need to learn, teachers have more experience with structuring these assignments, and because students may purposefully make the assignment effortless to complete.
The first reason these summer assignments should be teacher-designed is that teachers know what information students need to maintain a grasp on. Once summer is done, students tend to forget knowledge that is essential for a smooth learning experience in the upcoming school year. This may slow a student down and affect their learning pace which, in turn, may impede the whole class because the teacher may have to spend time bringing the student to where they need to be in the lesson. This takes time from the curriculum and results in the class falling behind in the schedule that the teacher set in advance. This can be avoided if the students are given a teacher-designed assignment during summer so they already understand the learning materials when the new school year begins. Some may disagree with this and say students may research the learning materials that the assignment must include. Teachers, however, are more familiar with the material for they have been teaching it for many years, they may understand what should and shouldn't be included because they have prior experience with the issue. This understanding of the necessary materials that students tend to forget is a significant factor when considering if the assignment should be student-designed or teacher-designed.
Another reason it makes more sense to have teacher-designed assignments is that teachers have more experience structuring these assignments to make it easy for the student to understand. Many assignments given to students by teachers are assignments used in the past because it is shown that they are efficient in making the material understandable to the students. The reason these assignments are helpful is because the teacher structured them to be easy for the student to understand. Teachers have been teaching for a long time and they know what works and what does not work, and they are able to use their past experience from making assignments to determine the best way for the student to keep the learning materials fresh in their minds. Some may say that this is a good learning experience for students to learn how to structure assignments. This proposition may apply to other situations, but it does not apply to this one because students may have difficulty structuring the assignment, resulting in a confusing structure that may confuse the students completing the assignment over summer. Experience is a very important factor when considering if summer assignments should be student-designed or teacher-designed and teachers have a significant and teachers are significantly more experienced than students.
The final reason a teacher-designed summer assignment would be superior to a student-designed assignment is that students may decide to make the assignment easier for themselves. Though they are beneficial, many students disagree with summer assignments because they believe their summer should be an uninterrupted break from school and education. Since students feel this way, they may purposefully make the assignments much shorter and easier to avoid doing too much work. Students would rather take the easy way to avoid doing work over summer, even if this means they fall behind in the school year. Students would argue that they would make assignments easier and shorter because teacher-designed assignments are too difficult and lengthy. However this argument does not stand because the length and difficulty of the assignments are designed to aid the student in learning, the assignment is not meant to be completed promptly, it is meant to be completed over the course of their long break. This pattern of laziness in students is an important contribution to the idea that summer assignments should not be student-designed.
Though controversial among students, summer assignments have a very important role in students' summers, they ensure that students don't fall behind once they return to school in fall. It is important that these assignments remain teacher-designed as opposed to student designed because teachers understand what materials students must remember, they know how to structure assignments, and unlike students they make the assignments helpful instead of making it easy. It is important to remember how these assignments not only impact the individual student, but how they impact the entire class. | 6 | 774 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
8B587FE63002 | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Many students forget their knowledge they had learned from the previous year and struggle to find their way and the following year. To prevent this some schools have mandated a summer project to continue the education for their students and to be able to have successful following year. Summer projects should be teacher-designed because, teachers know how to prepare students for the following year, students are not capable to create a project idea, and to continue learning for students teacher need to be able to establish their curriculum.
Teachers prepare students for everything involving education, so for a summer project to establish education, it should be teacher-designed. Many students in, Generic_School, unknowingly don't receive parental support, causing them to need teacher guidance. Students cannot achieve everything to do with school by themselves, they need guidance and help. Parental support is a key thing to education in the 21st century, without it students can tend to give-up or not achieve their goals, this would include a summer break project. Teachers are the ones given the curriculum, of what they need to teach, at every school. The curriculum, is a state-wide given material, consisting of the learning objectives for the students, The students would not be able to gain more knowledge without knowing what their objectives are for the following year. A student-designed project would quickly fall apart without knowledge of what they need to be focusing on for the following year.
Many students do not have the capability to be able to come up with project idea. An extraordinary amount of students deal with focusing problems, such as, ADHD. This causes many students to not be able to create and design a "summer" project all by themselves; Students will need guidance form teachers. To be able to design and create a project during a students break could possibly be a hard task, even if they don't have a focusing problem. Most to all students have different levels of achievement. How would teachers grade the different levels of effort put into each project if every students was designing their own? One student could create a beautiful poster, while another just writes a paragraph; How could this be fair to all student if they were designing their own. Many students go on trips or visit family and are unable to take time out of their day for something them have to come up with and/or have the mindset to put effort in to designing and creating a project.
To allow students to continue learning, the teachers need to design a project in order for them to learn. Students do not teach themselves in any school. For a student to gain more knowledge they need to be led and taught by someone who already holds that knowledge. A teacher knows the objectives the student needs to know for the following year. The teachers obtain the future objectives from the state, for the students. The students have no idea what their following grade objectives are, as they have not even been in their future classroom yet. Many students would not be capable of continuing learning if they do not receive any material on their project, and have to design their own. A successful student has the future knowledge handed to them for them to be able to create a project continuing on learning future material.
To prevent forgetting knowledge, some schools have mandated a summer project to continue the education for their students and to be able to have successful following year. Allowing student to design and create their own "summer project" seems like a bad idea, if the school is assuring learning. All students are not capable of preparing themselves the curriculum for the following year, if they are unsure about the material. Summer projects should be teacher-designed because, teachers know how to prepare students for the following year, students are not capable to create a project idea, and to continue learning for students teacher need to be able to establish their curriculum. | 6 | 678 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
32926CBD644F | It is August 5th and my friend Generic_Name can not hang out today, and I am pretty sad about that. If only he had chosen an easier topic for his summer project, and done it earlier. Although some believe otherwise students should be able to design their own project, because they will have the creativity factors that controlled projects would not, they can choose their own subject, and they have an increased growth in responsibility.
Us students love the creativity aspect of getting to choose how we get to work. We hate being bound to guidelines and rules set by other people. Whenever I get to choose how I do my projects I always seem to do better on them when I get to be more creative. A couple of months ago, my AP Environmental sciences teacher let us choose an end of year project. She said "as long as you get it in on time, I do not care what or how you do it. The project just has to pertain towards some of the topics that we learn during the course." I loved getting that freedom from her, because I got to do it how I wanted and I got to be more creative with it too. I ended turning in that project within a month, because it was something that I wanted to do. If I was bound to the rules I would have procrastinated until the night before it was due. Some may disagree, saying that they are more likely to do the project when guidelines are given and when students are forced not to be creative. That reasoning is flawed due to the fact that my friend Generic_Name was given a similar project, but with guidelines saying the stuff that she could and could not do. She has always been better than me at turning in assignments. When I found out that I had turned in my project before her ,I was astonished. I asked her why she had not not done yet. She said that she had not even figured out what she was going to do. She was bound to do what she was told to do and she lost the creativity factor that she has always loved. Creativity is vital to a students success when doing projects. It ensured that every project is different and more entertaining than traditional projects.
Getting to choose a subject also makes the project more enjoyable for the students. If students were given a choice to select a subject that they would do a summer project on, they would most likely choose the subject that they feel more confident in. My mother always says that she loved to do projects on history (which was her favorite subject when she was in high school). She said that whenever she would get to do a project on it she would get A's and B's every time, but she would get C's on other projects that was not on her favorite subject. This choice in subjects was a morale booster for her. When she got good grades she got more confident and when she got more confident she got better grades. The choice correlated with her mental health and her school life, because she always felt good about her work.
Some say that if we get assigned a subject then we will be more likely to do what the person who grades is looking for. That is not the case, because of my friend Generic_Name. Generic_Name had to do a summer project last year and he had no idea what to do. He called me an asked what my project was on. I told him that me and just about everyone in our friend group was doing our project on History. When the school year started I asked him what he did it on, and he said his project was on Economics. When we got our grades back he had gotten the highest out of all of our friends. This just shows that it is more likely for someone to get a better grade when they get to choose a project subject or topic that they enjoy to do.
In our youthful society responsibility is a huge part of maturing. Getting to choose a project makes kids more responsible in the long run. This past weekend my parents left me home while they went to go watch my sister play lacrosse at Generic_School in Rhode Island. I stayed home with my dog and had a lot of time to myself and to my studies. I could have pushed it off until Sunday night, but I decided to do the responsible thing and do it during the day on Saturday. The choice I made was the right one, because I had the rest of the weekend to myself and got to relax and not stress about having to do my homework. If I can choose to be responsible now then I can be responsible when it comes to a summer project. I think that growth in responsibility will also have a great effect on everyone that does this project. The responsible person would choose to do the project earlier in the summer, but the kids that procrastinate will stress about this until the day before the project is due. Some think that responsibility has nothing to do with this project, that is not true. We are trusted to be responsible young men, women, or however people identify themselves. This project is not just about learning at school, but learning about life. When given the choice to do the project how we want to do it responsibility plays a huge factor. Factors like: Will we get it done on time, how will we do it, what topic will we do it on, and if the project actually had time spent on it or if it was just sped through. Us students need to be responsible in order to get in to good colleges, get good jobs, and live good lives. It all starts with projects like these. When all of these factors are put together they are more likely to make us more responsible in the long run.
When we get to choose what we do for projects like these it makes everyone feel good about what they are turning in. It could be the coffee in my system talking, but us students have responsibilities and we need to start being trusted and treated like adults. We want to be creative like adults, think like adults, and live like adults. It all starts with letting us choose a subject for our projects. After all we are the future of society. | 6 | 1,109 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
96B312BD472F | It is said that, over summer break students tend to forget the majority of what they learned during the school year. Once the year begins, their teachers advise them to use the information given from the classes taken prior to assist them. It should be out of the question, that students need to do school work during their 2 month-long summer vacation. The question at hand is, who should be in charge of creating these summer assignments, the teachers or the students? The apparent solution is that the teachers should be assigning these projects because they have credibility in their subject and a knowledge of how students work based off of experience.
Firstly, a teacher has a certain credibility that students do not. The goal of these assignments is to help the students fortify their knowledge over summer so that it is not lost. These teachers go through years of university studying the subject that they teach, so why should a student who has taken the class for one year have authority over summer assignments. For example, AP BC Calculus is an immense subject with a variety of different units of math. If a student tried to make a summer study guide, they would only have a year of experience under their belt. On the other hand, teachers, who have been teaching/studying this subject for years, have a strong understanding of each unit and how to teach it in a unique way. The credibility of the creator of the assignment must be strong, so the student can have an easier time understanding the subject. Thus, teachers should be assigning summer assignments.
Following my previous statement, teachers who have been working with students for years know the best strategies for getting students to absorb the subject. Many students have a hard time grasping a topic. If students decide to ask a colleague before a teacher, they have the chance of getting incorrect information or no help at all. For example, many students in the AP Computer Science course have to figure out problems of which have many different solution. Students who don't want to give away their specific answer will try to help students figure out a secondary solution. Unfortunately, most students will not be able to figure out a second solution, because they don't have enough experience. Once the student asks the teacher for help, the teacher will be able to help the student find a solution because of their expertise. Therefore, teachers can offer a more valuable source of knowledge that will stick with the student.
Although the student designing the assignment knows how other students' brain works, they don't have the experience that teachers have. Students designing assignments don't know exactly how to get through to students who do not know how to do the work. On the other hand, Teachers who have been working with students for years will know how to get a student to grasp the topics. Therefore, teachers designing assignments will know how to mold the assignment into a more enjoyable experience.
In conclusion, the efforts that teachers put into their own education provides strong evidence that teachers should be creating and assigning summer assignments. The years teachers spend in school give them the required credibility that is nessasary for students to trust teachers' judgement. Also, the effort teachers put into their work, to make sure their students are able to understand the topic, comes from their experience as teachers. Use these points to figure out that teacher-designed assignments are more beneficial than student-based assignments. | 6 | 586 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
978920CB10C6 | Nowadays, the image of summer vacation is something that is cemented into most children's minds from a fairly young age. It is a paradise of dripping ice cream cones, long nights without a bedtime, and freedom from the rules and regulations the school system imposes on them for nine long months. For students, summer often stands as an opportunity to explore the world on their own terms, rather than on their teachers' terms. In the eyes of many adults, however, this freedom is easily abused, leading to children choosing to sit in front of their televisions for three months. As they see it, children need the guidance and structure of the school system in order to continue learning. This can come in the form of required summer projects made to encourage students to continue learning outside of the classroom. While this can definitely achieve its goal, if the projects were to be determined by teachers, then they could actually discourage the intellectual curiosity of students.
Many students view the requirement to go to school as a prison sentence. Even though education is a tremendous privilege, the fact still remains that, in the eyes of many, school is not fun. For most people, it means being forced to learn about subjects they find boring and useless, while simultaneously following menial classroom rules. However, summer vacation serves as a glorious break from this oppressive rule. In those three months, many students feel an extreme sense of freedom to do as they please, regardless of what teachers have to say. Students spend nine months of each year under classroom rules, so why must it be extended into summer? Students will still be under the supervision of their parents, many of whom don't want their children wasting their summer. Individual parents are just as likely as teachers to take an active interest in the quality of their kids' summer activities, if not more so. If teachers were to design the required summer projects of their students, it would be a senseless extension of their rules into a time frame devoted to giving children a break from school rules.
Many adults assume that, if children are given this freedom, then they will ultimately waste their summers. This valid concern supports the argument to give students a summer project in the first place. However, if teachers genuinely wanted to incite intellectual curiosity in their students, then giving them the freedom to design their own projects would be ideal. Most children are naturally curious and have the innate desire to learn and explore. While the assignment to produce a project may seem like a chore at first, the freedom to design it themselves can motivate children to explore something they are interested in or delve deeper into their passions. Summer break is a time that is meant for students to discover more about themselves and the world around them outside of the classroom, and even if it is assigned by teachers, a project of their own design could encourage them to do just that. Once summer ends, this strengthened passion for learning can also help them in the classroom.
The natural curiosity that students express contradicts assumptions made by adults who, despite their best intentions, sometimes neglect to acknowledge the skills, wisdom, and other exemplary qualities displayed by children. Often, students internalize the assumptions adults make, leading them to believe that their opinions and interests do not matter as much as those of adults. However, giving students the freedom to define their own projects could serve to boost their confidence.
If teachers could trust that their students are intelligent and capable of learning on their own terms, then students would internalize those values and learn to trust themselves. Letting students explore what interests them sends the message that their interests and passions are important and worth sharing. This confidence encourages students to tell themselves that the things they do matter, which would help to encourage them to stick with their passions into adulthood. Even though the adults in a child's life are a vital source of guidance, they also have to push the child to develop the confidence needed to function without their help. Students should be given the freedom to choose what they want to learn and focus on over the summer so that they can develop the confidence to learn outside of the parameters of formal education.
Summer is an important motivator for students, reminding them of the eventual fruits of their academic labor and giving them something to look forward to throughout the year. Even if summer may not always be fun and games, it should still be something kids can look back on and remember fondly. Everyone knows that tasks tend to be more enjoyable and meaningful when a person can perform them on their own terms, and the same goes for summer projects required by teachers.
If students are given a project of their own design, then the project could become another happy memory for children, something they can look back on as adults to remind themselves that learning and exploration should always be approached with a smile. | 6 | 849 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
02FDCCA0C7D2 | Why Students Need to Design Their Own Projects
Projects are a great way to engage students into a topic, if a student picks a topic that they want, then their project will be a reflection of their own excellence. Student-designed projects are more than just projects, they are experiences and lessons that you simply can not obtain in any other way. Schools should allow their students to lead their own summer projects because the students will be more interested in the topics, they will learn more about the topics, and they will produce a better end product.
Schools should allow students to design their own projects, so that the students will take more interest in those topics. Students need to feel like they had some control in choosing their own topic in order to feel more connected to the project. It is important that students feels connected to the project, so that they will dig deeper into them and work harder on them. When students are interested in their topics, they are connected to them; however, when students are not interested, then they fail to engage in their topic. When I was in ninth grade, I was assigned a summer project where I had to research the invasive species of plants that could be found in my neighborhood. I was not given a choice on my project. I had to research invasive plant species, so I struggled to complete my project because it was so uninteresting to me. I resented the research and the fact that I had no freedom about how to create my project. Despite my miserable efforts to finish the project, I did not complete it. I had not engaged myself in the project, which resulted in me getting a low grade. Because I wasn't interested in my topic, I failed to be successful in the creation of my project. In most cases, the quality of work is based on how interested the student is. The student needs to be engaged and interested in a topic in order to perform their highest.
Schools should allow students to design their own projects in order for the students to gain more knowledge about their topic. Students who are given a choice of topic will search further into their topic and develop a larger understanding than students who are forced into a topic. When I was given a choice to research anything about my county, I developed a deeper understanding of my topic along with a truly unique experience. I was given a choice to research anything my county, so I choose the history of my favorite natural park. I did extensive research and I even went to the park's small history museum where I talked to a couple local historians about it. My experience was phenomenal because I was engaged in my topic, and I got to meet with extraordinary people and learn facts that fascinated me. It was an amazing and truly eye-opening experience where I learned things about my county that I would have never imagined. I was given choice and freedom, so I capitalized on them and fully engaged and educated not only myself, but my teachers and peers. Students given freedom and options will expand on their own ideas resulting in better projects. Not will those students educate themselves, but they will educate others as well. Students experience a deeper understanding after they engage themselves in an area that they are interested and excited about and they can also build relationships and bonds when they choose their own direction.
Schools should allow students to lead their own projects so that the students produce better end results. Students who choose their own topic will do an overall more thorough and precise job on their work. When students create their own projects, then they will strive for an excellent end result. Students who are able to choose their own project will strive for a perfect end result because they know that it came fully from themselves, not anyone else's input. The reason behind this notion is the concept that creators need to feel like they created something exceptional. If I am given freedom for a project, then I will try my best to make sure that my project is not less than outstanding. I work my hardest when I get to choose my own topic because it is now more personal and important to me. Students who create their own projects will not be satisfied with just anything, when creating the project, they will try to make their final work flawless.
When given the freedom to design their own summer projects, students will be more interested in the topics, they will gain more knowledge, and they will produce a superb end product. If students are given the freedom of choice, then they will fully engage themselves and gain a deeper knowledge and a more personalized experience then if they were just forced into a specific topic. | 6 | 821 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
EBCABB635458 | Many schools in the country today require that their students complete summer projects, they do this under the notion that these ( teacher designed ) projects will enssure that the students' education will be furthered during their designated breaks. Although this is true in the sense that the students will be focused over the break and will be furthering their education, it is false in the sense that a teacher designed project will help students. If the students were able to design their own projects for summer then, they would be less stressed upon their arrival at school the following year, and the students would be able to have a chance to be creative.
The mental health crisis is at the forefront of many schools' agendas, today the mental health of many teens has plummeted to all-time lows. There is one common factor in the mental health crisis, stress. Stress plays a large role in daily life and some people view it as a tool that can be used by people to grow, but for many stress has the adverse affect of overwhelming students and causing them to do things they otherwise would not do; For example this can be seen in the sudden surge of school shootings, bomb threats, and fights. The world notices the effects that such large workloads over prolonged periods can have on teens, that is why now, although there is almost no need for a break as there was in the 1800's, many still advocate for them. Breaks are seen as necessary de-stressers for people, especially teenagers. Teachers, although wanting the best for their students, often misjudge the amount of work and the difficulty levels associated with teacher designed summer assignments. If students were able to create their own assignments then they could spend less time stressing over what ( a teacher they do not know) wants as well as how they can complete the assignment, and they could focus more on a topic that intrests them and that they can complete in their own timely manner. Teacher designed projects often give students much anxiety and cause great stress to the student during their supposed "break" from school, a student designed project however, would allow for the students to pick a topic that will not stress them out and that they can complete making the students altoghether less stressed upon their arrival at school after the break. For example, this past summer I had 2 teacher designed projects to complete over the summer and I was taking a class already, this caused me great stress as I was not completely sure of what the two teachers wanted, as well as the fact that I was exhausted upon my arrival at school the following year.
In the real-world creativity is something that is in demand, many adults were not taught to be creative at a young age, which is why a student designed project is so important. A student designed project would give the students an opportunity that many adults never had at exploring their creative side. In many schools today creativity is not often emphasised, although this is true, the real-world strives for creativity, and not allowing the students grow as people by exploring topics that interest them and letting them create things would be a disservice to not only them, but society as a whole. For example, many students nowadays spend more time searching for the answers online to the excessive amount of dreadfully bland work assigned to them, then they do in actually completing the assignment themselves. another example would be that many students have a capacity for creativity and that the world will only progress as long as the future people who will run it are creative, and have the ability to think outside the box, for a few this skill comes naturally, but for many it is learned. Schools need prepare the youth of today for the future that is quickly approaching, there are many problems that must be fixed and can only be fixed by creative thinkers. Everything a person does, their actions, their thoughts, their speech, is all derived from the classroom; With that in mind, the importance of a student designed assignment (although miniscule) is detrimental to the future successes of society.
Some people claim that students will take advantage of a student designed project and use it as an excuse to do little to no work at all. This argument, although enticing, is false, due to the fact that a student will gain more knowledge of a topic if it is of their choosing, instead of doing what many do now, which is simply going online and searching for the answers. A student can learn almost nothing except how to efffectively cheat from a teacher designed project. I know from personal experience that I learned much more from a student designed project then a teacher designed project, mainly because I was more interested in the topic that I had chosen than i was in the topic of the teacher designed project. Also if a teacher does worry about students taking advantage of the student designed project option, then they can create a set of vague (topic wise) yet direct (requirement wise) guidelines for the student to follow, which would also help with grading of said student assignments.
Whereas the topic of student designed projects versus teacher designed projects can be seen as somewhat trivial, it infact is anything but that. There is a clear choice in how schools and teachers should proceed with summer assignments, and that is having them be student designed. Allowing students to design their own projects has many more positive factors than negative. With the assignment of said student designed projects, the students will not only be less stressed (which slows the common trend of violence and poor mental health), but they will have the opportunity to be creative and effectively grow as person, and in doing so, could become the future leaders of tomorrow. Allowing students to complete self designed projects would be extremely benficial to students worldwide. | 6 | 1,012 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
F065FD9F8D5F | Humans are so diverse. Some may be similar, but none are the exact same. Students are no different, even though they may be learning the same information, the way students understand and learn that information can be vastly different. Teachers help students learn materials through a variety of methods, like projects and tests. Schools that require students to complete summer projects should make the projects student designed, proving that there are many different ways of learning.
Depending on the student, some methods of learning are incredibly more beneficial than others. When I learned vital concepts such as multiplication, the way my teacher taught was through constant out loud repetition of the material, which helped my classmates along, but not me. I needed to see the problem worked out and look at the numbers because I had trouble picturing all the math and numbers in my head. Not being able to understand that basic concept of multiplication was detrimental to my math abilities and led the following years of my math career to be absolutely exhausting. This same scenario could take place involving summer projects. A teacher could give a student a summer assignment to help them learn about a concept in that class, but if the design of the assignment was difficult for the student to understand, it could be more hurtful than helpful. The entire reason teachers and schools assign projects over the summer is to assure that students will continue to learn during their break, but how are the students supposed to learn if they can't understand or have trouble with the assignment?
Projects are meant to provoke students to think, and having students design the project themselves is a great way for them to think more and therefore learn more. If students designed a summer project, they would have to think about what to do since they most likely won't have as many guidelines that a teacher typically would give. This allows students the opportunity to be creative and think outside the box. Students could then potentially learn a lot about themselves and not just whatever the subject of the project is. If the student creates the project themselves, it seems more likely that they would actually enjoy the project. And if they enjoyed doing the project, they will remember it more. I don't remember the material from my psychology summer assignment this year. All we had to do was research and write about a basic concept from psychology. I do, however, remember the Latin project I did in seventh grade. I think this is because I was allowed to do the project on anything related to Latin that I wanted. All my teacher asked of us was that the project was somehow Latin related. I decided to do my project on ancient roman customs, specifically the different rituals performed as a person reaches certain ages. From that project I remember things like that at six months old a young roman boy gets a round pendant called a bulla to protect them from evil spirits and when they reach age twelve the receive a new type of toga and more. I could not tell you about the five methods of observation used in psychology, which is what my summer assignment this year (11th grade) was about.
Some may argue that having students design summer projects is a bad idea because the typical student is lazy and will make an easy project design so that they won't have to actually learn anything. If this is true, having a teacher designed project does not change that situation. The reality is that if a student is lazy and doesn't want to learn, they will not learn. For my psychology summer assignment, I was lazy during the summer and did not want to do it, but eventually I did it the day before they school year started and learned nothing because it was boring and I wanted to get it over with. However, if the assignment was to research anything I wanted about psychology, perhaps it could have turned out like my 7th grade Latin assignment and I would've actually learned something. From personal experience I can say that the best way to combat an apathetic student is to gain their interest somehow, which could be done by allowing them the freedom to design their own project. For example, I loved reading
Frankenstein in English, but after having to write so much about it I no longer like it and don't really remember much of what happened.
Even if a subject is interesting, the desire to do a project on it can be crushed by the formatting of the project. Allowing students to do whatever format they want could make students gain interest and want to learn more about a subject compared to doing something they don't want, like writing an essay, which may make them harbor resentment toward the subject instead.
If a school decides to assign a summer project, the students should be the ones to design them, which shows that there are many ways people learn. By understanding that some children need to be taught in different ways, people can better educate the youth of America. Improving the way the people are educated can give society more informed citizens who are confident in their abilities and work better and smarter. | 6 | 885 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
0F2199921C33 | Do you remember the summer projects that you had to do during summer break? Even now as fewer places require summer projects for all class,they are still an important thing for both students and teachers. They allow both so see how the other is either by teaching style or how they did on the content. The summer projects should be teacher designed because it gives the teacher a chance to gauge the students academic level,base it on what they will be learning that year,and learn the learning style of students.
Some say that student designed summer projects are better because they allow the student to pick something that they find interesting and that they understand. And while it may be good that the student is interested in the topic they are working on it sort off defeats the purpose of the project. Because the projects are suppose to be a introduction into the next year and a way for the teacher to learn about the students. A student who is knowable able about history may design a project about Ancient Egypt,but if they already know the topic,they aren't learning anything. And while having the students create the projects may allow for more originality in the type and topic of them. That dosen't give the teacher the view of the student that they are meant to give teachers. Most students will design the project if given the chance to be easy so that they can have a good grade to start the year out. But that dosen't let the teacher see their strength and weakness,and the puts them at a disadvantage because the teacher wont know were the need help till it might be to late. If a student knows they have an English timed writing in Ms. Generic_Name class when they get into school,and they get to pic the book they analyze for it. They will pick and book probably that is on the easier side and that they understand. But if they are assigned a book by Ms. Generic_Name, she can see what skills they need when they do the writing.
Teacher-designed summer projects allow teachers to gauge students academic level on various topics. The teacher can create different problems bases on different levels of understanding to see which students get what level. This allows them a more direct view then viewing grades or passed assignments because the students may have improved since that was done. Once the teacher can see what academic level the students are on it allows them to create curriculum that allows everyone to understand and be successful during their class. If Mr. Generic_Name has a majority of people in his algebra 2 class that dont understand functions,he might spend some more time on the basics since a majority of the year will be using functions of some sort.
It also allows them to see who might need extra help in a subject and who can do it by them selves. Teacher designed summer projects also allow teachers to give a glimpse into the years curriculum.
Students can get a glimpse into the curriculum of the year from teacher designed summer projects because they can insert preassesment questions to get a handle on prior knowledge or have questions that tie ideas from the previous year into the new one. For example,Mr. Generic_Name could put in a questions about the cold war to see what people know. If a majority of the class has an understanding they can spend less time on that during the year and more on areas they are more shaky on. English and Math teachers can have problems were they have student uses old methods to solve new types of problems. This allows them to see if they need to spend more time on the basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Teacher designed summer projects in addition allow teachers the ability to see the students learning style and learn them.
Teachers can see the learning style of students by including different types of questions bases on different learning styles. In the projects,they design they could included questions that appeal to visual learners as well as topics that appeal to mental learners. In math and science,they can included different ways of getting to the solution to see which way the student do the best on. This allows the teacher to create assignments that cater to the students. Since every batch of students is different this allows the teacher to change their curriculum to fit the students they have this year so that they can leave successful and ready for what ever next. Not all years are going to be the same, Ms. Generic_Name might have a bunch of auditory learners one year but the next she has a bunch of tactile learners and if she designs her projects to look for that. She can plan accordingly and change her style a little so the students still leave her class successful.
Those are some of the reasons schools should have Teacher designed summer projects. Schools should have their summer projects be designed by teachers because it allows the teacher to gauge students understanding of principles and topics,allows introduction of new material,and learn learning styles. All schools that do summer projects should allow Teachers to designed them because that will help the year go better for both the teacher and student. | 6 | 900 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
AB403848DA21 | Every summer, students nationwide are bombarded with projects that are supposed to help them retain information or get a head start on the upcoming year. These projects can range from a series of math problems to studying entire chapters of text for a quiz on the first day of school. Teachers intend to help their students retain knowledge from previous years, but most students consider the projects busy work. Students want to use the summer to recharge themselves and forget about required projects. Students want to do well in school, but most of them have their eyes on the future, rather than reviewing work from the past. Although some may believe otherwise, summer projects should be student-designed because students know what information they struggle with the most, and students are more motivated to work on projects that they select.
First off, students know what information they struggle with the most, so they can create projects that are relevant to those topics. For example, during this past summer, I recalled that my weakest point in Algebra 2 was graphing rational functions, so I decided to make a picture out of rational functions. I made a picture of a snowman and used the holes, the most confusing part of rational functions, as eyes for the snowman. While my artwork was nothing special, the purpose of the project helped me master a tough part of Algebra 2, while preparing me for calculus. Similarly, my parents, who took psychology courses at Generic_School, said that their professor recommended that they review any quiz or test that they felt was the most difficult over spring break to prepare for the final. After reviewing every term that initially confused them, every student in the class increased their grade on the final by at least five percent. The professor did not require them to do anything, but the students knew what they needed to review and succeeded in the end. Students learn best when they are set free to review material using their own strategies, instead of getting a cookie cutter approach from a teacher.
Secondly, students are more motivated to learn when they have no guidelines and can be more innovative, which makes student-designed summer projects the best option. For instance, I only took Digital Art in my Sophomore year because everyone is required to take an art class in high school, but as the year went on I realized that I enjoyed the freedom of the class. After learning basic tools, I made creative posters, characters, and videos, which eventually led to my teacher selecting me as an award winner. Every day, I looked forward to Digital Art because it was the least structured class where everyone could express themselves through their work. From a historic perspective, Albert Einstein was never described by his teachers as a good student. He would never pay attention in class because his mind was always set on bigger, more innovative things. He is widely regarded as the smartest person to ever live which highlights his intuition that was being halted by structured learning. If we were all confined to complete teacher-designed projects everyday, we would not have any of the technological inventions that have drastically changed the world.
Some teachers may say that they are best fit to make summer projects because they know the material that will be taught in the upcoming year. When teachers assign projects, they always have their eyes set on the end goal of having ample time to review at the end of the year for big exams. To accomplish this, teachers always stay inside the curriculum of the course during their summer projects to give their students extra time to learn less material. While it is understandable that students need a head start on the curriculum for the year, that reasoning is flawed because students are already restricted in their education for nine months out of the year, and they do not need to be restricted for another three months. The summer is a perfect time for students to get internships at places that will improve their knowledge and strengthen their passions. Often times, the work that students find at internships is not similar to the the structured work they complete in school. We should allow students to make projects about what they have learned outside of school, so they can educate other students who have similar interests. Teachers already have enough control over how students learn, and it is important that we do not give them even more.
Overall, student-designed summer projects would give more variety to the school and improve the versatility of students. Students are able to find passions through their own work and can inspire others to do the same. Teacher-designed summer projects have restricted students and prevented them from reaching their maximum potential. Students are more powerful than people give them credit for, and they deserve a chance to showcase what they can do through their own ideas. If we allow students to make their own summer projects, we will immediately see an impact on communities through volunteer projects and environmental projects. We need to encourage our principals to just try it out. Give our students a chance to make a difference in the world, and they will never regret giving the students a chance. | 6 | 882 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Hispanic/Latino | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
6F03B07009EE | Designing summer projects; students vs. teachers
Knowledge and learning are like metallic gears; once you stop using them, they will quickly start corroding. To keep students active in learning during their summer break, as to not let them forget their previous knowledge and keep exercising their brains, schools give summer assignments. These assignments and projects are quiet helpful, if given in ways interesting for students and to keep them dedicated towards learning. They can, however, become a burden if students do not find the projects suitable or interesting. So, students themselves should be allowed to design their summer projects as they will create projects fit for them, they will stay active for those projects and show interest to do them, they will actually complete their projects and learn something if the projects are designed and selected by themselves, and this would help teachers by lessening workload for them too.
Some people suggest that teacher designed projects might be a better idea since they would create projects in a way to focus on areas they want students to learn and stay active in. But teachers do not know mindset of each individual students, nor do they know the brain mechanism of which method should be used to make students participate in learning efficiently. Thus it is better to allow students themselves to design their own projects to do in summers, according to what they like and how they want to study.
If students are allowed to design their own summer projects, they would actually create something that they would like to do. This would make sure they would participate in the learning and the actual process of the project itself. It is an efficient way to get students motivated and interested in summer projects, which they would otherwise ignore, drawn in by other activities that are more interesting for them. As a student myself, i would rather be more drawn to complete a project i made according to my interests, than a boring project that doesn't interest me and on which i would give up.
Letting students create their own projects would also in increase participation in summer projects. During summer, going on a trip with family, a student would never care to complete or even look at a summer project given from school. But if that student made the project themselves, they could have created something related to that trip they knew they would go on. That would ensure they brought the project along with them on the trip and did it too. So they had fun on the trip and completed the project as well, a win for all. Similarly, students would design their projects according to their activities, which would make them interested in actually doing the projects too.
If students design their own projects, it would take some burden off of teachers too; to plan, create and monitor assignments for students to do in summer. And if students still don't complete their summer work, teachers would get disheartened by their efforts not paying off. For example, if a teacher has to make tests for 4 quarters alongside class assignments, amongst other things, they would most likely pay little heed to create an interesting summer project that would appeal to students. Teachers would appreciate a little help in their otherwise extensive and restless work of making tests, quizzes, classwork, homework and monitoring students as well.
Lastly, if the summer projects are student designed, the rate of completion of these projects would also increase. As i have seen in classes, barely half the students complete given summer projects, and most make excuses as to why they didn't complete their work. This would change, if they themselves designed these assignments, as students would be more likely to complete projects they participated in making and invested time in designing themselves. This would ensure that they actually complete these assignments, instead of waiting out on them and then making excuses as to why they never got to completing them. My peers agreed that if they got to design their projects, they would be committed to them and would finish them too, not wanting to waste their efforts that they investing in creating that work.
In short, it is better to let students design their own summer projects as to keep them interested in these projects, increase participation rate and completion rate of summer work, while also possibly making them have fun while completing these assignments. I am sure teachers would appreciate some less burden of planning summer work too, while students would be more dedicated and invested in summer projects, which would be a win for all! | 6 | 767 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
3510B0339301 | I believe that student designed summer projects would be more beneficial for the students, teachers, and parents than teacher designed projects. If students designed the projects they would be more likely to do the project and finish it in a timely fashion. Although teacher designed projects would be easier for the teachers because they know what they want and it allows for more structure, student designed projects would be something the students enjoy doing and would allow the students to get their work done at their own pace.
To start, student designed projects are more likely to be worked on throughout the summer and completed by the time school starts again. If the students are doing something that they enjoy they are more likely to finish it; therefore, the project being based off something they like would allow a higher chance of it getting done. For example, an elementary school had students pick an outdoor animal/insect they found in their backyard to research about and find some fun facts on. These students enjoyed and completed their projects because although they were assigned a teacher designed project they got to pick out what creature they did the project on which was more fun for them. Students are motivated by rewards so rewarding themselves at milestones of the project would increase the likeliness of students getting their work done as well. To reward oneself for completion of an important section of the project, the student could go out for ice cream or even get a new toy depending on their motivations. These objectives of student designed projects all show a higher chance of completion which is ultimately what the schools desire.
Additionally, parents can become involved with the projects and engage with their students. Interaction between parents and their children is crucial to build a healthy relationship and parents assisting their children with a project can help build their relationships. Parents can also learn new things while helping their student which can make the student more interested in the project because the student and parent are both learning new things, not just the student, so it will cause the student want to learn more. Younger children are more reliant on their parents than older children are so they need more help with their schoolwork than older students typically do. An elementary school student would need more assistance from their parents gathering all the information necessary for them to complete their project; however, a middle school or high school student will require little, if any, assistance from their parents because they become more independent as they get older. As an elementary student reading projects can be harder because they do not have experience with these types of assignments causing them to need more help from parents or older siblings; however, a high school who has completed several reading projects and has much more experience is not gonna need as much help or any help at all from parents. Projects can be extremely easy or super complex depending on the materials needed and amount of work that is needed to be put in, but either way help from a parent can be very helpful for students of any age.
Student designed projects provide the opportunity for students to work at their own pace and get the work done around their own schedule. During the summer many students go on vacation which can last a couple days or several weeks, so having students design their own project would allow them to complete the project when they can around their busy schedules. Some students also go to camps, such as 4H or YMCA summer camps, which can take up a lot of their time and if these students had to complete a teacher designed project that had to be worked on for a certain amount of time and they did not have that much time then they would not be able to complete it. Time management is super important especially for people with very busy schedules and if their time is not managed correctly they will not be able to finish their projects as they wish to. These projects being student designed would be more beneficial for students who have very busy summers and for parents as well making them not have to worry about their child getting their work done on time.
To conclude, student designed projects can be much more helpful for not only students but teachers and parents as well. Because the projects would be created by the students they would be more likely to be completed because it is something they would enjoy doing, the parents can become more involved and engaged with their students, and the projects would allow the students to work at their own pace to complete their projects. | 6 | 796 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | F | 11 | No | White | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
084BB657A9C4 | Summer projects are what most students dread during their break, but they are necessary for students to keep expanding their minds during the summer. Most of the time these projects are designed by the teachers, but normally those projects are not as fun to do. While student-designed projects would be more interesting for a student to learn from and they would enjoy it more. Summer projects should be student-designed because it would be easier for the students to understand, it would give more reason for students to do it and put effort in to the project over their summer vacation, and it would be an appealing and fun method of learning for the students.
These student-designed summer projects are normally easier to understand for students. Generic_Name is a student at a middle school and he has to do a summer project, which was a project about what is the hardest part of school and creating a PowerPoint on it which was created by a student in his grade. When his summer started,Generic_Name could clearly read what he is supposed to do for his project and he could get to it right away. He created one of his most enjoyable PowerPoints because it was easier for him to talk and write about, when it was teacher designed, the project was about explaining into depth why ones years in middle school are the hardest years of schooling, he took a lot of time trying to understand what the project really was and how it worked. Generic_Name could understand the project more since it was made by a student and it would be easier for a student to understand a student than a student trying to understand a teacher. Generic_Name is a 5th grade student who has a summer project. Going into 6th grade next school year, Generic_Name has to do a project on what middle school is going to be like for him as a student, which is what he has to think about anyways since he is going into middle school. Students in his grade would know what kids their age would understand and what they are normally thinking of which was in his case going into middle school. In student-designed projects for the summer, students would understand these projects more because students understand what other students are thinking of and are going through.
These type of summer projects would give students more of a reason to put effort and actually do the project. Generic_Name, a student who wants to become a website designer, is asked to do a summer project in his IT class. The project was creating a poster of something one would like to do for their profession in IT, this project was created by a student in his IT class whom which knew that students would not like a project about one topic. When it got to the summer Generic_Name was more motivated to get his project done because he could talk about his passion which was website design. Generic_Name put more effort into his project because it was created by a student who understood other students would not like to talk about a single topic. Generic_Name, a photography student, has a summer project on what their summer vacation is like in pictures for his photography class, this project was made by a student in his photography class. Generic_Name put more effort into it because it is something he found interesting and he had more of a reason to take pictures of even though years prior his teacher made projects about taking a photograph of an exotic animal and write a paper about it, he liked this idea for a project because he could just enjoy his summer vacation while also doing his summer project at the same time. Students find these summer projects more interesting and put more effort into it because they are made by other students in their classes.
Summer projects that are student-designed would likely appeal to students making them more fun for the students learn during the project. A high school engineering class is given a summer project, they are asked to build a model rocket, which was a project idea created by a student. The class when they went on summer vacation, had more fun because they got to build something that was more interesting, appealing, and fun for them as students and as young engineers. These students also learned a lot about how rockets work and how the engineering process goes into them. An AP history class is given a summer project, which they are asked to create an alternate historical scenario in which something that happened in history, just did not occur or was altered a little bit, this project idea was created but a student in this AP history class. The students in this class during their summer spent time researching a specific event that they found interesting and tweaked it to their liking, this gave them the power to do whatever they want with history and they found it fun because they learned more about specific events in history and got to change them to completely different scenarios. Summer projects that are student-designed are more fun to the students in these classes because students in those specific class would know what other students would find fun and appeal toward them.
Student-designed summer projects are better for students than teacher-designed ones because they are more for fun for the student to make, they are easier to understand for the students because students learn more from other students, and they would put more effort into those projects because students know what other students in their grade like. Summer projects are a lot of work for students, but if students were allowed to design these projects so that they would appeal to other kids in their classes or their grade more students would do those summer projects and expand their knowledge on topics they should learn or want to learn more about. Overall, summer projects would have more students working on them with strong effort if they were made by students. | 6 | 1,017 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Black/African American | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
8896495B3A61 | Summer projects. Although many students despise summer projects, there are schools that require students to complete summer projects for the purpose of continuing education during the break to keep the student mind active. Some schools have to decide between student-designed projects or teacher-designed projects to assign to students over break. The schools that require summer projects to assure that students continue to learn during summer break should assign student-designed projects because students are more likely to complete them and they have a better final product than if the project was to be designed by a teacher.
If the summer projects were to be student-designed, students would be much more likely to fully complete the project over the course of the whole break rather than last minute. In the last school year, right as summer break was ending, my companions and I discussed summer projects that we had for various classes. What I came to learn was that many had not gotten started and simply did not intend on completing them until the very last week before they were due;the projects had been made by teachers. The objective of a summer assignment is to do it in incriments throughout the break to ensure that the mind is still learning and still active throughout the break. The problem with many summer projects that are teacher-designed is that many students just simply don't complete them or only partially complete them because they do not veiw the project as engagin or interesting. Speaking to Ted, one of my close friends, he explained to me that he did not care about the summer project and just did it to get the grade. When the projects are teacher-designed, students mostly view them as a boring and unengaging. A student is better able to engage other students because they understand what it means to be a student. This is because students have a empathetic knowledge towards other students that teachers don't posess. When students design those summer projects they are able to use that knowledge to design more engaging and interesting projects than teachers.
Another reason that summer projects should be student-designed is that there would be more detailed and more comprehensive final projects than if they were teacher-designed. There have been a few times that I have been able to complete student-designed projects in school. As a result, my finished product was far better planned and much more elaborate than a similar completed project that was designed by a teacher. When a student gets to design a project, the students who work on that project are actually interested in what they are doing since the project has been designed by someone who understands thier interests. When a student is completing a project that they are interested in, they use a completly different work ethic and put passion into the project rather than doing a project which bores them. A similar thing happens in the workplace when individuals complete a task they are not interested in; they get a diminished output and the same principle applies here. Therefore student-designed projects have a better output than a teacher-designed project.
Some may argue the summer project should be teacher-designed because teachers are able to design better projects than students. Any project no matter who it is designed by has to follow a rubric making that argument irrelevant since both of the projects end up following the same guidlines.
Even in the case of the project being better designed by a teacher, the counter-arguement is still incorrect because the teacher-designed project does not end up actually acomplishing the goal of having the students keep learning throughout summer break; the student-designed project does accomplish that goal, by students completing them over the whole break. The counter-argument can even be harmful to the students because they are much more likely to do teacher-designed projects last minute due to lack of interest; when they do that, students end up being really stressed right before they enter school. That can defeat the whole purpose of a break because even having relaxed for all of break, they enter school with a stressful attitude. It is better to have student-designed projects where students are interested in the project and continue to learn throughout summer break then the antithesis of it, where they do it in the end and enter school stressed, not having accomplished the purpose of the project.
All things considered, summer projects that are assigned by certain schools should be student-designed instead of teacher-designed because having them be student-designed ensures that the project will be completed througout the entirety of the break fufilling its purpose and students will have a better final output due to increased interest in the subject matter. When the project is designed by a student, the people completing the project are far more likley to pace themselves and complete it in incriments due to interest in the project. This also ensures that the student will put a greater effort into the project; as a result, the final project they submit will be a more comprehensive product due to project having its own personality and having more individualism than if every student was assigned the same-old project that was designed by a teacher. A counter-argument may be presented that a teacher-designed project will surpass a student-designed project because teachers design better projects. That argument fails when it is considered that a teacher based project defeats the pupose of having a summer project in the first place because students tend to complete those types of project last minute having a diminished output. Then, coming into the new school year stressed and not coming in refreshed, which is the purpose of summer break. In the end, why design a project in the first place, when the way that project is designed defeats the purpose of that project? | 6 | 969 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | Asian/Pacific Islander | Economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
07123DF09284 | Summer is a time for students to have fun and be able to relax without worrying about school work. However, some schools assign summer projects over the students break to make sure students are still learning throughout the year. A common question about these projects is who designes them. Should the teachers design them so that is stays on topic to what they need to learn, or should the Students themselves design the projects so that the projects are subjects that students are interested in. Student projects over summer break should be student designed because it gives students more freedom, allows students to do them in areas they have interests in, and allows students to create a type of project they are good at.
A common arguement against student designed projects is that the student will not stay on topic and will go to far off topic. Meanwhile if a teacher were to assign a project they would make sure that the student did not go off topic and it would be relative to the subject. However, a student designed project has much more benefits than a teacher designed project. It also will give teachers more time to get ready for the next school year if they do not need to design all the students projects. Even though teacher designed projects would be more on topic than a student designed project, Student designed projects pros outweigh the cons and therefore students summer projects should be designed by students.
Student designed projects allow students to give themselves more freedom over the summer by being able to design your own projects. Students most likely do not like projects over the summer in the first place, but if the students design their own projects, they are able to choose to do the project how they would like to do it. If they were teacher designed projects then the students would not want to do them because they had no choice in picking what they were doing and will most likely not do it. Students want freedom, they dont want to be told what to do, if a schools were to give them teacher designed projects then students would not be as motivated to complete them as much as a student designed project. If it was a student designed project, students would also be able to choose a topic they like.
Students are not always interested in every subject at school, in fact, most students are really only interested in one or two subjects at school. If schools allowed students to design their own project then they would be able to make their project about a topic that interests them. If it were a teacher designed project then students would be forced to do a project on a topic that they might not intersted and not want to put a lot of effort into it. If it were a student designed project then they would be able to do a project on a topic that interests them and would be more passionate about the project and would put a lot more effort into it. Students would be much more motivated to complete their projects over the summer if they could design their own projects arounds topics they have interests in. Student designed projects also allow students to design a type of projct they are good at.
Not all students are good at writing essays, not all students are good at using powerpoints. Every student is different with what they are comfortable using to create their projects and would prefer to choose how they can present their projects. If the summer projects were teacher designed, then students would not be able to choose how to do their projects. If the teachers decide that the project should be in a essay format, then some students would not be able to complete their project as well as the other students who are good at writing essays giving those students an unfair advantage. If the projects were student designed than each individual student would be able to choose their own project format that works best for them so that all students are on an equal level and no student is at a disadvantage. Allowing students to choose the format of their projects would also give students more motivation to complete the project and make it easier for them.
Overall students would put much more effort and thought into the projects over summer break if they were allowed to design their own projects. Teacher designed projects would make students less motivated to work and would cause students to not do their projects. Student designed projects overall would make the students much more motivated to complete the projects over summer break. The projects that are assigned to students over summer break should be allowed to be designed by the students because it gives the students more freedom, allows the students to choose a topic they are interested in, and allows students to create a type of project they are good at. | 6 | 836 | Summer projects | Independent | Some schools require students to complete summer projects to assure they continue learning during their break. Should these summer projects be teacher-designed or student-designed? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples. | null | M | 11 | No | White | Not economically disadvantaged | Not identified as having disability |
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