Today, the Internet is like a one-stop solution to all our problems. We type in our questions, and more than one possible answer pops out! But when it comes to research skills, it is more than just that. We can have an overwhelming amount of information about our problem. Research implies we can screen through what is true from false, what is essential, and what is not!
Back then, we relied on books, encyclopedias, library texts, etc. But today, we rely more on the Internet. Indeed, it has made things more accessible in a way. However, it has opened doors to complications like never before. So, as kids navigate the Internet to find answers to problems, we must offer research skills for students!
What are some research tips for students that can help them improve?
Students often get overwhelmed by the idea of a paper they must turn in, an assignment, a group discussion, etc. This process can be much easier if students have specific research skills. Parents go to all lengths to ensure their kids get the best academic grooming. Getting admission to an international school in Mumbai is one such stepping stone!
Some of the best IB schools in Mumbai are known to focus efforts on developing research skills in students. They encourage them to ask questions, look through objective lenses, find divergent answers, and think outside the box. Let us use some of these research tips for students that can help build their research repertoire!
- Create a facilitating environment
We have all heard of the nature-nurture debate, haven't we?
Put in simpler terms, people argue whether our genetics or environment codes our behavior. The contemporary verdict is that both play dominating roles.
So, we cannot discredit the importance of the environment our children grow in. An environment that pushes one to thrive is rewarding in itself. The room equipped with books, gadgets of academic importance, a tidy desk, and the like is helpful.
- Explore areas of interest
Parents know what's best for their children. There is no lie in that. However, even kids have ideas and interests of their own. Let them reign in what they like instead of laying out everything for them. Let them know they are essential for art, sports, or adventure.
Once you find out what they like, you can sit with them, find out more, and read at length. Not only does this help in building research skills, but it also makes up for quality time! Kids are naturally inquisitive, so they will try to find out what piques their interest.
So, help them learn how to find information, sort them, and get a clear picture.
- Organization is critical
So, at all times, we must remember that we live in a digital era where kids visit the Internet more than libraries. Hence, the Internet has become a notorious source for providing a flowing volume of information about everything. That is the reason, that to improve research skills, students must learn to screen through the piles of search results.
We may look for essential outlines for an essay, and there is a word limit within which we must cover everything. So, knowing how to organize details and maintain flow is imperative. Everything needs to have a framework!
- Implement the funnel approach
It is one of those heuristic methods that parents can start with. It brings orientation about a specific topic. If children are asked about the Independence struggles, the wars, and the politics that led to 1947, it is a vast history of 200 years!
So, young minds need orientation. You can start with a simple internet search saying 'India's Independence,' for example. It will offer direction and will keep your kid manageable.
- Critical analysis skills
Analyzing information is the core of research. We have heaps of information laid out once we dive into the Internet. How do we know what is for us and is necessary?
Critical thinking increases or improves research skills in an individual. But how do we harness such a skill? It does not happen overnight. It requires time and patience. However, to start, we can focus on the
- Problem identification
- Assess the credibility of sources that answer our questions
- Find a means-to-end analogy
- Differentiate between facts and assumptions
- Reading an actual book
We have established that today, the Internet dominates texts. However, books are irreplaceable. They provide what the Internet cannot. Reading is essential because it helps us not become slaves to the digital media. It is ironic since you probably read this piece on your gadgets, phones, or computers. However, books are necessary for young children.
- Let your children ask questions
Kids are inquisitive. It is of utmost importance we cater to their curiosity. Asking questions about something is the building block for a good researcher. Last, never shut them out, no matter the question. Be honest with your answer.
Let them learn to find a problem, ask about it, and then, in no time, they will be the ones to find solutions for themselves.
The best IB schools in Mumbai that you choose for your children demand kids to have a basis of research skills. So, be prepared with our list of research tips for students!
To Wrap Up
Today, you have multiple resources. Where to start and where to end? It is an endless horizon. It is undoubtedly a challenge we face today.
However, this is where research skills come to our rescue. Once you get a grip on it, it is not as harrowing as it looks. So, if you want your children to excel at an international school in Mumbai, you need to be ahead of others. We have spoken at length about various research skills for students. However, the following is what you need in a nutshell-
- Facilitate their divergent thinking tendencies.
- Appreciate their questions
- Help them organise
- Encourage their innovative ideas
- Help distinguish between what is true and what is fake news
With the tips above and persistent effort, you can develop research skills. You learn today, and it pays off for the rest of your lives!
