The Good, The Bad, The End

Wishing: So, the project is complete and now it's time to look back upon the process. I'll start with the weaknesses first...

My Biggest Weaknesses: not wanting to finish final product; not enough non-book resources

In doing the research, one thing I was surprised to learn is that many of the symbols are either good luck or nothing. Prior to researching, I was curious to know if a symbol was lucky in one culture, but unlucky in another. Of the seven symbols that I researched, I found no information to support this idea. I decided to remove this question from my initial list of questions.

I was disappointed in the fact that I found many interesting and informative websites, for which I could not verify the authenticity or reliability of the source. I chose not to include any information which could not be verified. I did however, include some of the more entertaining websites at the end of the presentation, as well as some links to sites where good luck charms can be purchased.

I think I share a common frustration among students when it comes to putting the information into a project YOU have created. I struggled with the variety of quotations and factual information, and how to present them. I'm still not perfectly happy with the way I did present the information. I think I have too many direct quotations, and not enough of my own interpretations of the information. (Sometimes I feel as though I'm trying to reinvent the wheel. The author always seems to state the information in a more succinct and colorful manner than I believe I ever could.)

My Biggest Strengths: I thought there was a surprising amount of information available in print. Entire books have been written on exactly this subject. I would love to pursue the topic of superstitions and old wives tales a bit more.

My approach to inquiry hasn't changed drastically since learning more about information inquiry models. I did like having the guidance of "steps" to follow, even if I felt occasionally that the steps were too involved for my personal taste. I believe I would better with a model that has fewer, yet broader, steps. For my next inquiry, I would like to try to utilize the BIG6 model to see how the experience compares to Kuhlthau's Information Search Process and Lamb's 8W's of Information Inquiry.

Overall, I enjoyed the process and I will be much more cognizant of the methods in which I present and collect information. I also need to formulate a better approach when organizing the information that I gather, so I don't run into the same problem when it comes to putting the project into my own words. Perhaps this will eliminate some of that anxiety at the end of the project!

Enjoy!
-Angie

Waving

Waving: I have created a powerpoint presentation to turn in for class, but other than that, I imagine that the powerpoint itself will be something that I keep for myself. I appreciate everyone's helpful comments and suggestions throughout the process. At first, I was wondering if anyone would see my topic as being too silly or insignificant, but there have been many supportive comments and well, I enjoyed researching the topic so much that early on it no longer mattered if someone didn't approve.

I have already mentioned some classroom ideas for expanding this project or using it as a jumping off point for another area of study. I have found some more Indiana Academic Standards that may be met using a project of this nature:

Grade 3 Social Studies: 3.5.4- Identify factors that make the local community unique, including how the community is enriched through foods, crafts, customs, languages, music, visual arts, architecture, dance, and drama representing various cultures.

(Essential Questions: What customs or symbols represent our community? Think about the high school mascot, the school colors, a local festival, local foods...what makes our community unique?)

High School Sociology: S.8.11- Investigate how incorrect communications, such as rumors or gossip, can influence group behavior.

(Essential Questions: Tie the concepts of superstitions and urban myths. Do we have any of these types of myths within our community? Is there a local "haunted" spot, or a place where there was an unexplained mystery? Do people go there to investigate the myth for themselves? Why? Do people behave differently because of the myth? Is there any truth behind the myth?)

To see the Lucky Charms powerpoint presentation, either click on the link located in the menu bar on the right, or go to: http://portfolio.iu.edu/angkrobe/Lucky_Charms.ppt

Here's wishing "Good Luck" to my classmates on the completion of your Inquiry Projects!!

-Angie

Simply charming...

Wrapping: I think I've finally reached Kuhlthau's sixth stage of the Information Search Process, Presentation. In this phase, the student is completing the search and accomplishing the assignment. I thought I was here earlier (see previous post), but I wasn't.

The project I'm creating takes a look at seven common symbols of luck, their origins, and meaning. While researching this topic, I found a lot of fascinating information on superstitions, as well as a variety of religious and cultural symbols of luck and protection. The Chinese have a wide variety of good luck symbols within their culture. Religion, too, presents believers with a multitude of symbols to aide them throughout various stages of life.

I've created a powerpoint slide to demonstrate the lucky charms that I researched. Students could use information from this project as a jumping off point of research for the topics of superstitions (old wives tales, medical superstitions before scientific discovery, theater superstitions) as well as common expressions and actions (why we knock on wood, say "break a leg" to an actor, say "bless you" when someone sneezes). Colors, birthstones, months of the year, days of the week, flowers, herbs, astrological signs all have their own meaning or have some significance regarding luck or strengths and weaknesses of those they represent. How much of this is taken into consideration in our daily lives today?

As I surfed the Internet the other day, I stumbled upon more jewelry that contains my good luck symbols. When we were assigned this project, a four leafed clover keychain had caught my eye. I've since found a wishbone necklace, as well as a horseshoe keychain. Initially, I was drawn to the four leaf clover and I still am, but even more so now that I know it's meaning. It is my favorite of all of the symbols that I officially researched as well as the others that I happened across that are not included in my project.

In addressing who should know about this project, I would say that anyone who's struggling a bit in their everyday lives could use a little information on good luck charms. One way I plan to share this information is to create the charm bracelet that I mentioned before beginning the project. It will mean much more to me knowing what each charm symbolizes. I have a charm bracelet now, in which each charm represents a person in my immediate family. People compliment it all the time. It's a great conversation starter. I feel that the "good luck" charm bracelet would have the same effect only now, it too, would have meaning and not just be any piece of jewelry.

My project will be used, at this time, solely for my enjoyment. The process of research was engrossing. I have become a bit obsessed about noticing symbolism in our everyday lives. Do I belive that these symbols, if worn as a charm, would actually bring luck? No. Would I like to believe? Yes, especially if the act of carrying a good luck charm causes me to be more aware of all of the good things that happen in my life. Would these things have happened without the charm? Probably so. Would I have noticed them and appreciated them? Probably not. To create the ability to see more good in the world is quite powerful for a little charm, don't you think?

Roberts' Phases of This Project: Frustration, Anxiety and Laziness

According to Kuhlthau, I should be entering the sixth phase of the Information Search Process, Presentation. The presentation phase includes completing the search and accomplishing the assignment. In this stage, "a sense of relief is common." Wrong. (well, maybe I'm not quite there yet...)

As I'm finishing up with my project, I've stumbled upon my personal road block, one in which students face repeatedly throughout their educational careers. I absolutely do not enjoy the process of "finalizing a project", meaning, I love to question, research, gather materials, compare and contrast information, and create the physical/ asthetic part of the project. However, when it comes to crossing the "t"s and dotting the "i"s (in other words: double checking citations, trying to ensure that I'm not inadvertantly plagarizing, editing content etc...) I totally lose interest. The fun suddenly becomes work.

To me the excitement lies within the hunt, the creativity. When it's time to get to business...well, I suppose that's one of the reasons I wanted to become a librarian. You get to participate in the hunt, and this final project stuff was up to the teacher to hammer out with the student. I realize it's something I need to get over... and quickly!

I'm struggling with the content for my project. Like many students, I have lots of "notecards" (mine are powerpoint slides) that contain factual, quoted information. I need to find the best way to present the information so it's not just a bunch of quotes. (Did I not pay attention in junior high school? How did I miss this continually throughout the years? I should have taken a remedial research class...) I realize that I have some fabulous resourses at my disposal, all from the perspective of TEACHING how to get through this process, but at the moment they all just seem like extraneous information that is more overwhelming than helpful.

Back to the books...with a better attitude, hopefully!

Just a rant...

As I begin to put the pieces of my project together, continuing in the Weaving stage of Lamb's 8W's research process model, I've suddenly been hit by the "frustration, lack of confidence" feelings described in the former steps of the process.

As I review my information to confirm sources and citations, I suddenly see additional information that I'd love to add into my project to expand it! There are TONS of superstitions alone that would be great for exploration in more depth! Who knew there were explanations for why we toast when drinking, why we shake hands to seal a deal, why we knock on wood. There are descriptions for expressions that we use daily, such as: "bread and butter", "bite your tongue", and "eeny, meeny, miny, mo". There are also other symbols of luck that I suddenly want to include, but have no basis for within the context of my project. What's a girl to do?

I am also comparing the information that I've found, to ensure that each symbol has somewhat equal information content-wise in relation to the others. It's interesting...the symbols that I perceived to be the easiest to gather information on at the start of the project, have been the ones with the least amount of resources (and vice-versa.)

An update on my e-mail communications--I've had a few more responses! Whew! Granted, not as many as I would have preferred, but better than before!

Back to the project...

It's like notecards, only different...

Weaving: As I pull together the information found (and that I'm continuing to find) throughout the research process, I am within Kuhlthau's fifth stage of the Information Search Process, Collection. Collection focuses on "gathering information pertinent to the focused topic." In this stage, it is easier to narrow down information to what I am looking for, rather than looking at all of the information as a whole.

As someone who has always been a list maker, by using my computer, I've found an easier way to create (and keep track of) my lists of information. For this project in particular, I've created a basic powerpoint presentation. Each slide of the powerpoint represents an "electronic notecard". Only one idea (or in the case of this project, a symbol of luck) per slide, with additional slides for bibliographies, background information, etc... I put ANY information regarding that symbol, whether it is a thought, question, fact, reference source or keyword onto the slide in no particular order. Once I've filled the slide, I'll then compare the slides and begin to organize the information and gain a clearer perspective of the project's form and content.

When I get stuck or feel that I'm running out of steam, that's when I like to play around with the visual part of the project. I look into fonts, colors, clip art, and images, which not only rejuvinate my interest in the project, but many times assist me in narrowing my focus and providing me with a clearer visual of the presentation as a whole.

For example, in one of my sources, each symbol of luck that I've found is described as a talisman or an amulet. Some symbols are both, depending on their origin. This enabled me to add a specific category of information for each symbol. It also helped me to better understand the difference between the two terms. I can then color code the information for each, unifying each concept as it appears on the various slides.

(Personally, this is my favorite stage so far!!) :)

Here's what I've found so far...

Wiggling: As materials from the libraries began coming in, I immediately returned items which focused on religious symbols, as well as items which focused solely on superstitions and not on the methods utilized to protect or prevent a person from harm.

Though I am beginning to enter into Kuhlthau's fourth stage of the Information Search Process, Formulation, in which the researcher "forms a focus from the information encountered in exploration", I still feel that I am also still within the exploration phase. It seems as though I should continue the exploration in order to confirm which symbols I would like to focus on.

While searching on the Internet, I immediately discarded any websites that were commercial. My progress with online research has been slowed recently, but I hope to pursue that avenue more in the near future.

As for my international contacts, only one has responded so far via e-mail, so it appears I'll have to rely on my handful of people that I can contact by phone. I am very disappointed in this lack of response...so it's on to Plan B.

Print resources that I have found useful thusfar:

Aluh- Jones, Deborah and John Ayton. Charming: The Magic of Charm Jewelry. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

Bruce- Mitford, Miranda. The Illustrated Book of Signs & Symbols. New York: DK Publishing, 1996.

Cirlot, J.E. A Dictionary of Symbols. 2nd ed. New York: Philosophical Library, 1971.

Nelson, Felicitas H. Talismans and Amulets of the World. New York: Sterling, 2000.

Potter, Carol. Knock on Wood: An Encyclopedia of Talismans, Charms, Superstitions &
Symbols. New York: Beaufort, 1983.

I have steered toward dictionaries and encyclopedias, as they provide information regarding multiple symbols of luck. Many of them also delve into the subject of the superstitions as well, and I am trying to decide if I should include superstitions within my project. There are many acts that we do to ward off bad luck, such as knocking on wood or avoiding breaking a mirror, I feel that this topic should be a project in and of itself. I am considering on adding the superstition aspect of the talismans or amulets, but only if there is a specific connection between the two.

More later, as I find it!
-Angie

Jumping In...

Webbing: Following Kuhlthau's third stage of the Information Search Process, Exploration, I began my search for information on lucky charms from around the globe. At this time, I am searching for the following seven symbols of luck:

1. Four Leaf Clover
2. Horseshoe
3. Scarab
4. Wishbone
5. The Number Seven
6. A Heart
7. A Ladybug

I plan to continue to search these seven, unless information that I uncover leads me to another symbol or symbols dominant in another part of the world.

I began my searching where I feel most comfortable, the library. I started with my home library (Brownsburg), then on to IUPUI, and IMCPL. I have checked out a few books about the following dictionary of symbols; charm bracelets; superstitions; talismans & amulets, etc... I immediately disregarded anything that focused solely on religious symbols. I was surprised at how many books I found on my topic, then disappointed that most of the books from IU were already checked out...

I have only minimally browsed databases, but I'm disappointed about the results thus far. This is my next area of focus for finding materials.

I have browsed Internet sites (via Google), but have mostly found commercial sites which sell talismans, amulets or jewelry. Still looking...

As noted in my previous posting, I have e-mailed or phoned a variety of international contacts to find out what is lucky in their homeland.