European Vacation

Meeting Wants and Needs

Research Process

Directions to Students

  Scenario

You have recently begun a travel agency business called Deep Creek Travel. A family has decided to take a European vacation. The family has time to visit only one European country. They have hired your firm to present them with some choices and they will make a final decision based on your findings. Each family member has created a list of specific requests about the things they want to see and do on their vacation. Your job is to investigate several possible destinations and make a presentation to the family.

Task and Product

You will work as part of a research team consisting of four members. Each team will gather information for a specific member of the family. Investigate at least three European countries in order to determine which country has the least opportunity cost for the entire family.

Your team will investigate the needs of one of the following family members:

• The Father wants to visit the cultural elements, local cuisine and good rate of exchange for the dollar.
• The Mother is interested in visting gardens, nature sites and the country must be safe for family travel.
• The Grandmother is most concerned with transportation in the country and the weather.
• The Children insist that there be "kid friendly" amusements and souvenir shopping.

Each team of four will produce a persuasive presentation using one of the following formats:

• Power Point presentation or other multimedia product
• Pamphlet or brochure
• Video Ad
• Other products as directed by your teacher

Assessments

You will be graded on your daily work on the research process as well as on your final product.

Research process:

Question

Essential Question guiding your team's research::

Subsidiary Questions:

• What are the specific requests from each family member?
• What features in the country will appeal to each family member?
• What details are necessary for your group to present detailed information to the family?
• Which country will allow the most family members to have their wants and needs met?
• Which country has the least opportunity cost for the family?

Gather and Sort

Gather information from a variety of sources.

Sort your findings using the appropriate graphic organizer when taking notes.

• Father
• Mother
• Grandmother
• Children

Remember to cite your references. Check the MLA guidelines and examples for citing resources; however, your school may use a different format.

To avoid risking plagiarism, properly paraphrase and quote in your writing.

Organize

Analyze your research notes to determine which details are the most necessary to create a detailed presentation for the family and will best answer the essential question.

Synthesize your findings.

• Which facts should you include to inform your audience?
• Which facts are the most compelling and have the greatest impact? Which facts will have a positive influence on them?

Apply by creating a presentaion that will help the family make a choice based on their wants and needs.

Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task.

Create your presentation. Use your worksheet to help you in preparing and planning your preparation.

Conclusion

Presentation

Your group will share your presentation with the class. While you are listening to presentatations from your peers, it will be important to keep in mind that you will be required to complete the reflection below. In order to do that you will need to use what you learned in your own research and in listening to your peers.

Reflection

Brief Constructed Responses (Scoring Tool for BCR)