When it comes to thinking of a topic for my research
project, I am quite overwhelmed. I fear I’m going to pick “the wrong topic.” It
is not that I am saying that there is a “right or wrong topic” for research,
but that the topic will be wrong for me. Being an indecisive person even when
it comes to small things like where to go out to dinner, I am not surprised
that such a major commitment is causing me distress. That being said, I know
that inspiration will strike me at some point.
Despite my hesitation, I do have two ideas for what my topic
may be. First, as I mentioned in class, I would like to research on how
advancing technology changes the way we communicate. In my own experience, in
elementary and middle school, to secretly talk to my friends in class, I would
pass notes back and forth. However, now students simply text back and forth if
they want to communicate with friends in a hushed matter. If I researched this
topic, I would like to collect data from three varying age groups: preteens, college
students, and middle-aged people. I feel that way will give me a wide array of
opinions on the subject while also conveying the difference in technological
use amongst these groups. I understand that certain precautions must be taken
when dealing with children, but I think it would be vital for the project to
include them, as they are the first generation to grow up with technology from
Day One. I would like to focus on the generation gaps and the fast changing age
of technology. I find it truly fascinating how fast technology is growing!
The second topic is not as developed, yet I see more
interest in it. Drawing from one of my favorite movies, which was shown to me by
the most influential English teacher I have ever had, is Dead Poets Society. The
film is about a liberal English teacher, Mr. Keating, who starts his first year
teaching at a strict preparatory school. His creative, out-of-the-box teaching
methods open the eyes of his sheltered students. However, his methods prove to
be too much for the school and after the suicide of a student, Mr. Keating is
fired. As he is collecting his things and walking out, most of the students in
his class stand on their desks and send him off with a quote of, "O
Captain, My Captain." The quotes of Mr. Keating explained literature to me
in a way that writing is an art that has so much power behind it and must be
treated as such. My favorite line from the movie is, “No matter what anybody
tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” Taking that line into
account, I would like to research on the power of writing. I don’t really know
where to go with it or even what angle to take. Nevertheless, I have always felt
most invigorated by the force and impact that result from words on a page and
to harness that into a research project would be incredible. I just don’t know
how to make it into one.
My ideas may seem scattered or undeveloped, but in time, I
know they will evolve into something worthwhile, whether it is by fate or sheer
force of will!
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