What Are Ears and Eyes For?

Not a terribly difficult question you'd think. One answer is to read and to see. That's what I ask my research methods students to do. Everything is carefully laid out for them and in addition to the textbook I put up a web page for them also. On the web page is their assignment, which is due on 10 January. Not long now. I have covered research questions, literature reviews, various types of methods, etc. And I have said how the assignment itself carefully states in detail how they are to do it, what they have to do, and how many words it is. I even tell them the font size.

So why am I despairing when I receive an email several days before the deadline that says: "Thanks and appreciate for your help to get knowledge of this module. I would like to know what is literature review? the second question is how many words for this essay in total?"

Comments

Wabisabi said…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,200-2534221,00.html

Have you read this? You are quoted on the Times...
Tim Kevan said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tim Kevan said…
Thanks for the comment John. I was really pleased they put the quote in from you. I really enjoyed your book - in fact, I gave a copy to my Head Clerk. Also, like the blog. I've added a link to it onto my site. All the very best, Tim
Legal Eagle said…
Oh dear, oh dear. All too familiar to me. There is a lot more "spoon feeding" than there used to be, and some students lack any initiative at all. I would be embarrassed to ask a lecturer a question like the one in your post, but I have received similar ones myself. It can get a bit depressing sometimes (you think "does anything I say or write sink in, guys???")

Then again, there are days when it's all worth it, and you see students' eyes light up as they "get" a concept.