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📝 Step 4: Group Thread Post

Post Title: Exploring RP Modalities – Student Format Pathways

Group Contribution:

In our review of the RP format modalities, we learned that all formats encourage deep ethical reflection and demand strong research and communication skills. However, what differentiates them is the format’s intended audience, tone, tools used, and creative flexibility.

Two sample format pathways are created using the decision tree:

Pathway 1: A student confident in essay writing who wants a traditional, formal academic tone chooses the written essay format.

Pathway 2: A student interested in visual storytelling and technology chooses a web-based format, incorporating videos, graphics, and links to explore their ethical dilemma.

The flexibility in formats empowers students to showcase their learning and ethical stance in ways that are both rigorous and authentic.

Let us know your thoughts on the visual and if you’ve seen students thrive with one format over another!

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The RP Format Decision Tree helps students choose the most suitable format for their Reflective Project based on their topic, strengths, and audience. All formats aim to explore an ethical dilemma and justify a personal position, but they differ in style, audience engagement, and structure.

Example 1: A student researching AI in hiring, strong in academic writing, chooses an essay format for its depth and formal structure.

Example 2: A student focused on fast fashion, skilled in visual storytelling, selects a video documentary to engage viewers emotionally and visually.

These options support varied learning styles and reflect real-world communication skills.

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Inquiry 5 LE 1 - RP Format Decision Tree

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Step 2: Exploring Modalities – Reflections

What do the formats all have in common?

All formats aim to support a deep, structured ethical investigation.

Each includes both research and personal reflection.

They require analysis, synthesis, and justification of a personal position based on evidence.

All formats culminate in a product that demonstrates critical thinking and effective communication.

What sets them apart?

They vary in the mode of communication (written essay, oral presentation, multimedia, or academic paper).

They allow students to play to their strengths—whether in writing, speaking, designing, or presenting.

The audience and style differ: an academic paper is more formal, while a presentation might focus more on delivery and visuals.

Why has it been designed this way?

To offer flexibility and choice to accommodate students’ different learning preferences, career-related interests, and skill strengths.

To mirror real-world communication styles students may use in future careers.

To encourage students to think about how best to communicate their ethical position to a specific audience.

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Dalton-Decision Tree for Should businesses use robots to replace human workers in the pursuit of profit maximization

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After looking at the decision tree for the last example I was working with, I came up with two different potential plans in two different formats. For a written format, I could create a business plan that includes a cost/benefit analysis. For the Audio, I would consider a podcast interview with multiple local business owners to discuss this question and the ethical implications. After the podcast, I would include a write-up that analyzes where the conversation went. I think these are both very well aligned with what someone in the business world might actually do in order to find the best solution.

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Why has it been designed this way?

The project formats are intentionally diverse to:

Accommodate Different Learning Styles: Allow students to choose a format that aligns with their strengths, interests, and career paths

Promote Student Agency: Encourage ownership and creativity by letting students decide how best to express their thinking and research.

Reflect Real-World Communication: Mimic the variety of ways issues are explored and discussed in real-world professional and academic contexts.

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What sets the formats apart?

The main differences lie in how students choose to present their findings and reflections:

Written Essay: A traditional academic essay offers a deep textual exploration of the ethical dilemma.

Visual with Written Support: Similar in structure to the written essay, but includes an additional visual component (i.e. infographic, mind map, storyboard, photo essay) to support and enhance the analysis.

Audio with Written Support: Similar to the Visual with Written support but includes an audio component instead of a visual component (i.e. interview, TED-style talk, Podcast) to support and enhance the analysis.

Short Film with Written Rationale: Students produce a short film (up to 10 minutes), creatively presenting their analysis, accompanied by a written rationale explaining their research, decisions, and reflective process.

Each format offers a different method of communication—academic writing, blended media, or audiovisual storytelling.

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What do all the formats have in Common?

All of the formats, regardless of their style, have the following key characteristics:

Central Focus: They explore an ethical dilemma directly related to the student’s Career-related Study.

Research-Based: Each format requires research and reflection, with appropriate referencing and acknowledgment of sources.

Structured Reflection: All formats are reflective in nature and require students to examine different perspectives surrounding the ethical dilemma they are reflecting on.

Word Count Equivalency: The formats are designed to represent an equivalent amount of work (e.g., the short film must be accompanied by a written rationale).

Assessment Criteria: The same assessment criteria are used across all formats.