Sudden explosion of project requests from Canadian Schools

Does anyone have any idea why we are suddenly receiving loads of requests for details on Canadian servicemen of WW2, from schools??

Perhaps our Canadian forum members have some idea??

Thanks
TD

 

to keep us busy mate

 

But aren't they supposed to be doing the research for their projects

TD

 

It could be 'the time of year' that schools are studying WW2. It looks like students have to do a project. In the modern era how many students use the Internet as the 'be all and end all' to copy and paste answers to projects?

 

As a teacher I can confirm that this is often the case - you set an assignment and get handed in a load of stuff they've just cut and pasted from someplace. Sometimes they don't even bother to remove the hyperlinks or change the spelling from US English. They are horrified if you suggest reading a book!

To be fair, compared to the requests I saw posted yesterday this latest batch are at least trying to go about it the right way.

 

I noticed this also TD.

 

What a good idea but must be eating a Scotch Egg.......or driving one of those funny looking German tractors

 

Shame this generation won't even do the basics themselves - don't even get the topic title to
reflect the correct branch of service.....

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/61385-looking-for-information-on-a-canadian-soldier/?view=getnewpost&fromsearch=1

We should perhaps be asking the OP's to tell us what they know already rather than immediately spoon feeding them the information!

Steve

 

Unlike some other websites (which I shall refrain from naming) this website is free to join and to make posts. Are students able to do their own Internet searches without relying on existing WW2 Talk members doing it for them?

It would be interesting to find out what attribution is given for using the research, photographs and written work of others?

 

It also seems odd to me that they do not seem to have contacted Canada's National Archives, this could be their fault or do you think that perhaps the teachers would at least provide some rudimentary links, or information.

I think many of us answer these requests because thats who we are, however is it good idea to as Tullybone says 'spoon feed' them the information I assume part of their project (and perhaps the major part) is to learn how and where to find information from.

TD

edited to add:

So if we send them this link - http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/second-world-war/second-world-war-dead-1939-1947/Pages/files-second-war-dead.aspx and perhaps ask them to give it to their teacher .......................

 

I made a lengthy comment in one of the other threads about how to go about researching for a project - maybe someone could copy it and pin it into a thread called something like "how to start your research" maybe add links to useful sites like the one you just added TD?

 

Perhaps I`m cynical but I think someone`s taking the piss! All the requests posted within a 15 minute period???? If it were a project it would have to be handed in by now the schools are gearing up for the summer and 6th Formers in the North east leave next week only returning for exams...........Lets see how many return for their answers


Kyle

 

A pretty common Canadian school project, I've helped with similar requests for several. Mine are usually one-offs, so the recent swarm must reflect the high esteem for the quality of this board at one Edmonton High School. Students typically have a personnel file, but that's it. Happen to have recently chatted with a couple of History teachers who have 'commissioned' similar projects and think most here are on the right track. Doesn't help to spoon-feed a completed project to them, but if you have info otherwise difficult to obtain (war diaries, obscure histories, etc.), it can help them flesh things out and perhaps spur the odd one to dig a little deeper. Not always the case, but they occasionally have a very positive outcome with family identified, new details uncovered etc.

Absolutely reasonable to ask what they have/know already and what they want to know more about. Like grown-ups too, most will take what you provide and head on their way without acknowledgement or thanks.

 

I am a Canadian.
Anything to help this generation is greatly appreciated. Unlike the Dutch or the German school system, our schools spend very little time on either WW1 or WW2.

 

I think teachers should be told with the dwindling number of veterans, first hand testimony is rather limited.

I'm often not sure they realise that these events took place over 71 years ago, and that people tend to age and pass on.

 

I noticed last evening after a few of them had started their own new threads, that 4 of them were talking to each other on chat


Lesley

 

I wonder how many of these students requesting information to cut and paste for their projects will actually come back and say "Thanks"?
Will they even acknowledge how little work they've done themselves?