ITGS Extended Essay

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ITGS Extended Essay

• An introduction to IB Year 1 Students by
  Panagiotis Kafkarkou

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What is the EE?

• An in-depth study of a focused topic chosen from
  the list of approved Diploma Programme subjects
• Promotes high-level research and writing skills,
  intellectual discovery and creativity
• An opportunity to engage in personal research in
  a topic of your own choice

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Some more details

• Is compulsory for all Diploma Programme students
• Is externally assessed and, in combination with
  the grade for theory of knowledge, contributes up
  to three points to the total score for the IB
  diploma
• Is a piece of independent research/investigation
  on a topic chosen by the student in cooperation
  with a supervisor in the school
• Is presented as a formal piece of scholarship
  containing no more than 4,000 words
• Is the result of approximately 40 hours of work
  by the student

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Students are expected to

• plan and pursue a research project with
  intellectual initiative and insight
• formulate a precise research question
• gather and interpret material from sources
  appropriate to the research question
• structure a reasoned argument in response to the
  research question on the basis of the material
  gathered
• present their extended essay in a format
  appropriate to the subject, acknowledging sources
  in one of the established academic ways
• use the terminology and language appropriate to
  the subject with skill and understanding
• apply analytical and evaluative skills
  appropriate to the subject, with an understanding
  of the
• implications and the context of their research.

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Responsibilities of the student Required

• choose a topic that fits into one of the subjects
  on the approved extended essay list
• observe the regulations relating to the extended
  essay
• meet deadlines
• acknowledge all sources of information and ideas
  in an approved academic manner.

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Responsibilities of the student Recommended

• start work early
• think very carefully about the research question
  for their essay
• plan how, when and where they will find material
  for their essay
• plan a schedule for both researching and writing
  the essay, including extra time for delays and
  unforeseen problems
• record sources as their research progresses
  (rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the
  end)
• have a clear structure for the essay itself
  before beginning to write
• check and proofread the final version carefully
• make sure that all basic requirements are met
  (for example, all students should get full marks
  for the abstract).

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Before starting work on the extended essay,
students should

• read the assessment criteria
• read previous essays to identify strengths and
  possible pitfalls
• spend time working out the research question
  (imagine the finished essay)
• work out a structure for the essay.

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During the research process, and while writing
the essay, students should

• start work early and stick to deadlines
• maintain a good working relationship with their
  supervisor
• construct an argument that relates to the
  research question
• use the library and consult librarians for advice
• record sources as they go along (rather than
  trying to reconstruct a list at the end)
• choose a new topic and a research question that
  can be answered if there is a problem with the
  original topic
• use the appropriate language for the subject
• let their interest and enthusiasm show.

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After completing the essay, students should

• write the abstract
• check and proofread the final version carefully.

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Things to avoid

• a research question that is too broad or too
  vague, too narrow, too difficult or
  inappropriate.
• forget to analyse the research question
• ignore the assessment criteria
• collect material that is irrelevant to the
  research question
• use the Internet uncritically
• plagiarize
• merely describe or report (evidence must be used
  to support the argument)
• repeat the introduction in the conclusion
• cite sources that are not used

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EE in ITGS

• an opportunity to undertake research into an
  IT-related topic in an area of personal interest
  to the student.
• It gives students a framework to develop
• research skills
• their technical understanding of IT
• relate an IT system in the real world to its
  effects on individuals, organizations and society
  in general.

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Choice of topic

• Can be
• a news story
• An issue brought up in class discussion
• a personal interest.
• The topic must be firmly focused on an issue that
  has IT at its core.
• A topic that concentrates on another discipline
  but which has an IT angle is not suitable for the
  development of an ITGS extendedessay.
• In choosing their topic, students are strongly
  advised to concentrate on developing a research
  question, carrying out relevant research, and
  applying IT theory, tools and techniques.

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Some examples

• An investigation into the ways in which IT can
  assist patients with motor-nerve damage is
  better than IT and physical disabilities.
• Flight simulators as a means of training pilots
  to deal with wake turbulence is better than
  Virtual reality systems.
• Measures that can be taken to protect the
  transmission of banking information is better
  than Hacking.

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Some more examples

• How the layering of network protocols has
  contributed to the rapid development of music
  downloads is better than Music and the
  Internet.
• Issues in developing natural language
  interfaces is better than The uses of robots.
• How Open Source software has led to improved
  corporate networking is better than Modern
  operating systems.

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Final words

• Although an ITGS extended essay is not
  intended to be an exercise in demonstrating IT
  skills, it must clearly demonstrate in-depth
  technical understanding of the chosen area.
  Students who do not have well-developed IT
  practical skills are unlikely to show the level
  of insight that is required for the highest
  levels of attainment.

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References

• http//littleleahy.tripod.com/
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extended_Essay
• http//www.pkafkarkou.co.nr/

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Questions?

• Ask me now!
• Email me kafkarkoup_at_pascal.ac.cy
• Post a comment on my website http//www.pkafkarkou
  .co.nr/