I have completed the Assessment course for UW-Stout's graduate certificate program for eLearning and Online Instruction. My final project has been submitted and my feedbacks have been duly noted.
This course has taught me several ways to consider assessment beyond the traditional quiz with multiple choice and/or essay questions. As I move forward into future endeavors (and I am currently seeking a new place of employment), I will look back and use this course as a guide while I work with students in an online setting.
I am so grateful to have completed this final project. The project will be greatly beneficial and I am looking forward to piloting the project in the fall. Time has been compressed for me personally and professionally and the timing for all has been a hardship, but I have completed the assignment and look forward to tweaking the start of a fun and great workshop.
We were charged with creating a precourse survey that would gear towards a potential or existing online course. I will be piloting a course in resume writing/cover letters/ePortfolios for Cooperative Education at the College of Lake County. I have geared my precourse survey to this online offering for fall 2009.
I'm not 100% sure why, but this Casey case study and Bloom's taxonomy is eluding me. The case study felt like organized chaos. Was that the intention and then we developed a plan using the taxonomy or is there just too much going on around me at the moment that I was just plain having hard time concentrating?
Here is my taxonomy as it relates to the Christine Casey case study on journalistic ethics, etc.
Assessment taxonomy table template
Review the course objectives and activities from the Casey course.Then decide which objectives and activities belong in which ‘Bloom’ category.This type of analysis will help you, not only develop your course assessment plans, but will also help you decide which assessment activities are most valuable.
This website provides a simple explanation of Bloom’s categories:
Students will do research to explore how the standards of taste have changed with time.
This can be accomplished easily in both face to face and online classroom situations.
Comprehension
(summarize, describe interpret, predict, discuss)
Summarize, Interpret
Students will share their ideas about what is tasteful and what is not with the class.
In a face to face classroom, students can verbally share in an informal setting or in a stand-up forum at the front of the classroom.In an online classroom scenario, the students can share in reflective journaling and/or in an online discussion forum.
Students demonstrate new knowledge by creating individual guidelines for questionable language, subject matter and photographs.
Student displays can be created for face to face classrooms in addition to the student presenting facts or a situation statement in front of fellow face to face classroom students.
In an online classroom, students could explore the use of video diaries, wiki collaboration and/or uploading developed documents to demonstrate new knowledge of standards of taste.
Analysis
(analyze, classify, connect, explain, infer)
Classify
Students will analyze and classify a 6-point code of ethics for journalists.
An excellent team project in both a face to face and an online environment.
Instructor works with students to design a class discussion where they share and analyze their findings.
In a face to face classroom situation, I foresee the opportunity for these students to take their knowledge “on the road” (a.k.a…to another classroom).I see the students targeting a classroom in a lower grade and instructing using a mixture of presentation tools (lecture, discussion, audio/visual) to develop new learning in these younger students.
In an online classroom, a class discussion can still be designed, but its intent would be more towards teacher fellow student in the course.
Students show evidence of being well versed in the issues of standards of taste by successfully lecturing about and discussing pros and cons of these issues with target classroom students.
Applicable in face to face classrooms and online.Supplemented by written evaluation and potentially further discussion.
Well, I have submit my preliminary report for peer to peer assessment tools. I had selected Zoho and have reviewed a majority of its open source tools. I need to get back in there and further review the Presentation tool and look at what web conferencing (a paid tool) has to offer so I can add that to my portion of the report.
I think that my team members and I are working well together and that we will have a great project. I think that the hardest part is that the final piece is going to end up coming down at the wire. I'm hopeful we don't have to wait that long to pull it together (I have a full weekend this weekend), but if that is the way it has to be...that's the sacrifice that needs to be made.
I'm glad to have had a chance to get to know my team members a little better.
Our hearts go out to Phyllis and send thoughts and prayers her way for her and her family.
It looks like we might be trying to use Zoho.com for bringing together our midterm project. I'm hoping it doesn't end up being too cumbersome for the quick turnaround we need. That worrier part of me coming out for sure.
It is a cool tool...with all of its available programs. But when the heat is on, the learning curve of a new program always overshadows the potentials of something that new. Totally understandable..we've all been there.
Oh well, we will see how it goes. It's going to be a crazy week personally, professionally, and studently :) but we will muddle through and somehow come out sane. Question of the day: do only insane people say things like that?
We have divvied up the project assessments and I will be doing the peer to peer assessment. I think I am going to evaluate the site Zoho as it has many capabilities for working in a peer to peer assessment situation.
I am looking forward to working with my group on the midterm project. I will be covering either peer to peer assessment or collaborative tools for assessment. Should be interesting.
The concept map was an interesting activity. I always enjoy new technologies...this was no exception. The trial of the Inspiration software was good. I laid out (below) a concept map for my upcoming Resume/Cover Letter/ePortfolio (Fall 2009) pilot workshop for Cooperative Education for the College of Lake County. Some more details need to be considered and added, but the basics are down and a good start.
I'm enjoying this course and look forward to more assessment options other than the traditional survey style assessment.
Waiting to see what the status is of this midterm project. Seems like we are going to be assigned a group, but waiting to find out. This is a hard part for me...if I don't get the assignments done early in the week, not good for the schedule so this waiting is KILLING ME :)
I think I would use the blog in course planning to offer up addenda to the set curriculum. So maybe a place to put optional materials, other thoughts that are not necessarily directly related and also potentially use the blog as a place for the students. Though I have to admit that the wiki is probably more the way I am going to go (I think I have mentioned that in an earlier note).
Could I be missing something here? Is there a reason I should stray toward a blog before a wiki (wiki's offering the potential of a more seamless collaboration/team project setting)? I am interested in other people's thoughts...
I think that generally speaking learner autonomy is a great thing. Too often students are held to the constrictions of the teacher schedule to the point that there isn't much time for creativity let alone individualistic thinking/learning. Advantage: opportunities to display responsibility and feel empowered for one's own learning; Disadvantage: the same (comes into play if time management and/or procrastination is the norm for the student personality).
I grew up as a shy person. I have admitted in last fall's class that if I were to have been sitting in a classroom setting with the students I was routinely interacting with online...I would be the very quiet. Socially I am not necessarily quiet, but can be reserved in a new setting until I discover my surroundings and develop a comfort level...that is how I am in a face to face classroom, I think I always will be. But the online classroom I feel much more empowered and more free. Possibly because I can't see you screwing up your faces at my answers :) Possibly because I have more of a chance to write (and edit) my thoughts before they become public. I'm not a control freak, but having that small amount of control somewhat assures my foot steers clear of my mouth (most of the time) when answering instructor questions/assignments. Definitely an advantage in my book.
I believe that online forums open up more opportunities for learners as we have so many different schedules and those that work 2nd or 3rd shift have a better chance of finding interactions and socializing that they may not previously have had a chance to participate in due to their schedules (if face to face classroom were their only option).
I believe that online learning is an equalizer of sorts. Sure, sometimes spelling and grammar can be telling, but for the most part we are on an equal playing field and I don't feel that this is necessarily true in a face to face classroom. So cooperative learning, in my opinion, is enhanced because of my points above.
I understand the purpose of the blog - and that is groovy - but in terms of a class, I guess I don't see the purpose quite as much beyond this reflection-style tool.
I see more point to the wiki when it comes to online classroom settings (well, any classroom setting really) as it is more suitable to not just being an individual (and added many fun things), but also it is more versatile for collaborations/team projects.
Though I have to admit that the most fun part is knowing that I am writing and that someone is being forced to read the drivel that I am writing :)
More reflections in the tale of assessment soon. Til then...ta
I guess I didn't do so hot. I have to admit that I THINK I am more learner centered than this survey was...anyone else feel the same? I honestly felt the questions were hard to understand (my cold fuzzying my brain or me just being fuzzy brained?)
Interesting tool to do a survey. It was useful, sort of...the ending was a bit befuddling and I don't think that was my fuzzy brain...it just seemed to end abruptly and I wasn't sure at what point I was supposed to copy my final results and ended up tooling back. No big whoop, but was awkward.
I was getting worried because I could not find a partner. I had put out two random invitations, but to no avail. Then I saw Tom Kenton had posted looking for a partner. I jumped all over that post because a) hey, getting to know someone in class and b) was really worrying I didn't have my interview done yet (yes, I was being silly to say the least).
So Tom and I exchange emails and WHAM there are responses to both of my initial inquiries. I felt kind of sheepish and at the same time I was thrilled to have two more people to get to know. How fun!
That said, the assignment here is to post the getting to know me bits (about me) on this blog. Without further delay...about me from Tom, Susan and Betty :)
Katie Wagner Roberts is a 1991 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduate with a degree in Radio/TV. Katie had a television show on Titan TV called ‘Out and About’ and also worked at WMGV.
Katie has been interested in learning more about online education for awhile. This is the second course for Katie in the UW Stout Graduate Certificate program. She is also looking to keep her work skills updated in order to be more marketable in these tough times.
Currently Katie is a 4-H Youth Development Educator for the University of Illinois Extension in McHenry County, Illinois. She oversees the 4-H program and other youth programming. She also teaches part time at the College of Lake County doing Cooperative Education workshops teaching resume writing, interview job skills, motivational strategies and conflict resolution. Katie really enjoys her work the College of Lake Country.
Some of the items Katie hopes to obtain from this class are to see other ways of assessing learning and making networking contacts.
Thanks for your time Katie!
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Hi all,
Let me introduce Miss Katie. This would be Ms. Katie L. Wagner Roberts. Miss Katie is a very kind and understanding lady, based on the fact that I was not able reply to her email in a timely fashion and she didn't tell me to bug off. But she is also a go-getter, based on evidence that she solicited a man with whom to do her “interview”. Uh…can I say solicited here in the forum?
Anyway, as this kind lady and I emailed, it became obvious that she has fantasies. One of them revolves around being Brenda Starr. For you youngsters in the audience, Brenda was hot stuff in reporter land. Armed with a buff bod, brains, and a head of red hair that wouldn’t quit, she out-wrote, out-adventured, out-scooped any guy in the newsroom. On top of all that, she managed to keep the twinkle in her eye.
Miss Katie also has visions of being Stephanie Plum. And I quote “I would love to be Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's books (less the getting shot at) because she is just fun and sassy, but has a cool bounty hunter career :)” Hmmmm…what would the kiddies at 4-H have to say about that huh? I have the feeling they would say that Miss Katie is a very fun person.
Although Miss K. would love to live in the middle of nowhere in Ireland or Scotland, she would settle for rural Wisconsin. I guess there’s something to be said about all those cows in the fields making that famous cheese.
As part of our interview, I asked her if she had any bragging rights. Being the very modest person she is, at first she demurred. I had to put the pressure on (eat your heart out, Barbara Walters) and Miss Katie let slip that her face has graced the small screen. Yes! We have our very own TV star. Turns out Miss Katie had a TV show while she was in college. Imagine that!
When asked about a career choice if money was not an issue, Miss Katie replied that she would love to be a Mom and be able to have a whole houseful of adopted kids, the kids who so much need love. A minivan of kids in not in the cards right now, but she has the Mom part down and I would have to guess that Miss Katie’s biggest thrill is to brag about her daughter. They adopted her from China and it will be three years ago this March. Yoo hoo!
So there is Miss Katie. She may appear to be a 4-H Youth Development Educator for University of Illinois Extension in McHenry County, but underneath the facade she is a dynamo. Watch out for this Wonder Woman from Wonder Lake.
Peace,
Susan in PA
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She lives in Wonder Lake, IL and is a 4-H Youth Development Educator for University of Illinois Extension in McHenry County. She started the Graduate Certificate program last semester.
Betty Hurd
Thanks you guys...I really enjoyed meeting each of you!
