This case study investigated the research processes and authentic learning experiences of 10 junior high students as they completed independent research projects in a class for gifted students. Students experienced the most difficulty in exploring and forming a focus. Although students used a variety of information resources, they did not access some available information sources and, in some cases, experienced difficulty extracting relevant information. The professional services of public and school librarians were not utilized to assist in the research project. Only 3 of the 10 gifted students demonstrated all of the characteristics of authentic learning in their final products. Suggestions are made on how to alter the process to make independent research projects produce more authentic learning experiences.
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