The day has come: for we are gathered here today for the season finale of my research series.
Behold, the light at the end of the tunnel
Yesterday I completed the last and final component of my research project components, and let me just say, it was the most fun piece of the entire process.
The final assignment I completed was transforming my research argument into a multimodal composition. In short, I had to take my 10 page argument and create a poster, quiz, article, video or something dynamic in order to get my message to my target audience.
I decided to create a video in order to raise awareness about the conversation I was entering regarding community that can be fostered within college dining halls. Based on the outcomes of my research and how there was little to not information on the topic, I decided an informational anecdote would thought-provoking, and effective in order to raise bring attention to the topic I had some much curiosity about.
Because my video is not necessarily be on a topic people would look up even on YouTube, I figured it would be best if my video was one of the ads that happened before videos start. The initial video someone would be trying to watch would be about education or something related to college, and my video would be a whiteboard story regarding one or both of those topics, but introduce a new conversation.
https://youtu.be/f_7D_i4ZOxU
As this was the first video I have ever made, I found it to be fun and rewarding. I definitely have a new found respect for all those who edit videos because the process although tedious, is extremely fulfilling.
As my research adventure comes to a close, it is safe to say I have learned a lot from my experiences throughout these past ten weeks. From utilizing strategies from before such as the BEAM, I now have a better understanding on how to find sources in order to formulate an argument that is completely my own based on sources from conversations that previously existed. I learned how to hunt and gather sources and how my mentality and open-mindedness really plays a role in what I can and cannot find through research. I also now know how to look up stuff in an archive (and can proudly say I know what an archive is and where they are located within my school!).
Maybe writing can be as glamorous as you think
If there are any major takeaway points to this research endeavor, I have learned that research in itself is a process. Similar to writing, finding the sources, and composing an argument are not simple tasks that can lead to dead ends because there is no guarantee. But that’s the risk and fun in research that makes the outcome even more rewarding because guess what? A dead-end, and need for more research is an outcome in itself and has value. Sure there was no research on the topic of college dining and community that I was so fascinated by, but the fact that there is not definite answer doesn’t make my topic insignificant. Instead, it can viewed as something original that simply hasn’t been tapped into yet and I can be the one to crack open that case and expose my findings to world. Research I am finding is about inspiration, and I’m hoping my documentation of my experience inspires you to dig into something you ponder about.
Best of Luck.
♥ Little Kelli