FAQ #2

Q- What will our students learn from participation in the Another Way project?

Ans- Students will learn about themselves, their communities, non-profits, search engines and the internet. They will learn the difference between data and information. They will gather raw data which must be analyzed, organized and, using writing skills, transformed into useable information. As an added bonus, the information just happens to benefit their community.

Q- Could you be more specific?

Ans- Here's a sample:

  1. Students will learn how to compose business letters when they contact donors and non-profit organizations.
  2. Students will improve their writing skills by working on the Exchange Proposals and Organization pages.
  3. Some students will learn how to make presentations when they accept invitations to explain the project to civic clubs, businesses, members of the media, educators and other students.
  4. Students will learn how to conduct an interview during their attempts to get people to make wishes for the Exchange Proposal and Reward sections of the Dream Machine.
  5. Students will become familiar with databases and develop employable skills as they actually input data gathered by students in other classes.
  6. Students will learn how to use computer software programs, (database, word processing, presentation). These skills will be a personal benefit and will also make students attractive to potential employers.

Q- Our students are assigned a large research project each semester. Would the Another Way project be suitable?

Ans- If you are looking for an extensive research experience and your students are allowed to interact with the community (phone interviews or extending invitations to come to the classroom may work as well as off campus activity) we encourage you to consider the Another Way project.

Q- I see that the Foundation provides forms and examples for the material that is to be sent to Carmel. Do you also provide material for class discussions?

Ans- Soon we will be posting lesson plans which provide material for class discussion. When the underlined "Optional lesson plan" changes color, (black to blue) that means a lesson plan is available for online viewing. You can then click to view and use your browser to print the selected lesson. Eventually, a Teacher's Manual will be published in a bound volume. You may request a free copy.

Q- Could you give us some idea of the content of the proposed lesson plans?

Ans- Students will learn about people; their feelings, their needs, compassion, choices.
Optional lesson plan

Students will become involved with problem solving techniques. Setting goals, assessing alternatives and using logic and creativity in a group environment. Optional lesson plan

By researching public nonprofit entities, students will learn about their community: they will discover how local government works. Optional lesson plan

Students will learn about private nonprofit organizations and local businesses.
Optional lesson plan

Students will assess the pros and cons of existing search engines and learn something about codes and computers. Optional lesson plan

Q- There are several locations on the internet which already use search engines to match volunteers with community service jobs. Can the students use this information as part of the research for the Another Way activity?

Ans- It is likely that these internet locations are included in the optional lesson plan. If you are familiar with a web page that is not included in the plan, please incorporate it into the lesson and alert the Foundation to the class findings.

Q- Do students actually learn how to write code for building a new search engine?

Ans- Each student works with one local nonprofit to create 25 new job opportunities. The new jobs must be written to conform to a simple computer code which is provided. The search engine used for customized opportunity job searches will be professionally designed to use the coded material your students provide.

Q- What's so special about the customized job opportunity search engine?

Ans- Your students will be able to answer that question after they complete the project. They will note the best qualities of search engines already in use on various internet sites and also record the shortcomings. Many shortcomings can be overcome only with costly hours needed for gathering more detailed data gathering and then faithfully updating that data. This can be achieved by incorporating this learning activity into the school curriculum.

Q- I've found that searches frequently result in none or few matches, or so-called matches that have little to do with the search object. Will this be corrected on the Another Way site?

Ans- The goal will be to avoid searches which net zero matches and to be able to match custom requests like the following: (1) an opportunity to cuddle babies between 7 and 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays for six months. (2) an opportunity to use bookkeeping skills at flexible hours to help a nonprofit providing assistance to the homeless (3) an opportunity to coach an adolescent boys soccer team one afternoon a week (except Wednesdays) and every Saturday for three months. This is the most difficult, the most creative and is the learning activity that can be the most fun for your students.

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