EDT 593: Applied Projects in Educational Technology   As I read through rough drafts, I noticed a number of errors in common in student writing. Below is a summary of those I found most often in rough drafts. Use the pronoun who after a person and use that after an idea or inanimate object. Example 1: Students who are participating in my Applied Project .... Example 2: The article that proved most helpful .... Capitalize the A and P in Applied Project. Example: Upon completing my Applied Project, I will graduate from ASU West. Use the word technology, not the colloquial form tech. Example: The technology coordinator in my school is responsible for .... Use curriculum and curricula appropriately: curriculum is singular, curricula is plural. Example 1: The math curriculum at my school emphasizes .... Example 2: In this project, I will integrate the science and technology curricula. Avoid colloquial phrases. Example: The computer lab is not used a whole lot. Replace with: The computer lab is seldom used. OR Few students use the computer lab. Avoid the use of you. Example: You will find two computer labs at Seaside High School. Replace with: There are two computer labs at Seaside High School. Always capitalize the words Internet and Web. Example 1: In my Applied Project, students will use the Internet to ..... Example 2: I supported students in my class with Web-based resources .... Use which and that appropriately. Example 1: The computer lab, which is located on the first floor, is staffed by .... Example 2: The computer lab that is located on the first floor is staffed by .... Note the use of commas in Example 1. Use the same tense within a section or paragraph. Incorrect Example: Yesterday we went to the library and the librarian is helpful. Correct Example: Yesterday we went to the library and the librarian was helpful. Italicize software titles OR use the trademark icon. Incorrect Example: The students in my class are using HyperStudio and iMovie. Correct Example: The students in my class are using HyperStudio and iMovie. Correct Example: The students in my class are using HyperStudio™ and iMovie™. Use the entire name of your school. Incorrect Example: Sunrise serves 850 middle school students. Correct Example: Sunrise Middle School serves 850 students. Use one pronoun, not many, within a paragraph. Incorrect Example: We are concerned about teacher burnout. They work hard and have much stress and this causes teacher burnout. Correct Example: We are concerned about teacher burnout. We know that teachers work hard and have much stress and this causes teacher burnout. Do not leave orphans (a single line of text) at the bottom or top or any paper. Hyphenate double adjectives that describe something. Incorrect Example: The general use lab is reserved for teachers doing special projects. Correct Example: The general-use lab is reserved for teachers doing special projects. Incorrect Example: A technology rich classroom may enhance learning. Correct Example: A technology-rich classroom may enhance learning. When quoting a researcher, use the correct format: Incorrect example: Christie (2002) states that "Using the Internet for research is an example of authentic learning," (p.4). Correct example: Christie (2002) states that "[u]sing the Internet for research is an example of authentic learning" (p.4). When citing a number of different studies, provide the citations is alphabetical order by the last name of the first author: Incorrect example: Student choice is a key factor in the success of reflective portfolios (Benson & Smith,1998; Graves, 1991, 1994; Adodeeb & Courtney, 1999; Kowalewski & Starns, 2000). Correct example:Student choice is a key factor in the success of reflective portfolios (Adodeeb & Courtney, 1999; Benson & Smith,1998; Graves, 1991, 1994; Kowalewski & Starns, 2000). Do a spell check AND a grammar check and proof read your paper BEFORE turning it in to me! I will return all unproofed papers with NO feedback other than the need for proof reading. Back to EDT 593 Main Page