Assignment Content

Construct assignments that move beyond finding facts or collecting other people’s ideas. It is important to develop assignments that encourage students to generate their own ideas and conclusions. See creative suggestions about research papers from the University of Connecticut Library.
Require students to locate information about specific course concepts or readings rather than just collect and organize resources. This will ask students to engage more fully with course materials as well as teach the critical thinking skill of synthesis.
Ask for an application of research to another component such as current events or socio-political issues. Show a DVD on a relevant topic and ask students to apply research to specific examples from the film. A by-product of requiring components to be used in application is that you do not need to change the assignments each semester, thus preventing students from reworking a paper from former students. This is especially pertinent to large lectures where the faculty member may be relying on an evolving pool of teaching assistants. Consider putting theory into practice through encouraging research into community-based issues and perhaps including a Community Service Learning component in your course.