Reflective Journal #2

Topics Covered:

The Module 3 textbook reading covered choosing online course content, online copyright guidelines, guidelines for creating a syllabus and file organization. This week’s lecture focused on writing effective assessments.

Overview / Summary of Topics:

The Module 3 text discussed choosing and putting together online course content. It is pointed out a few factors to take into account when choosing the content:

·         Student attention span

·         Your own technology skills

·         Online content should be meaningful and engaging and not rely on the media

·         Determine what content to use and then hone it down to what is pertinent for the course

·         Determine how the content will be sequenced and organized

·         Determine best media for presentation

The lesson went on to discuss copyright guidelines including Fair Use (https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107), Creative Commons, TEACH Act and materials in the public domain. The lesson also reviewed tips for obtaining copyright permission or license.  I also visited https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html to read more about the copyright law.

This week’s lecture focused on writing assessments. The key take away from the lecture is that the assessment has to tie back to the objective. The verb of the objective drives the assessment and the assessment must match the domain level. Other factors to consider include: specify and include grading criteria, use a rubric on subjectively graded items, allow students to view the rubric, provide good and back examples when possible. A variety of assessments should be used throughout the course. This allows all students the best opportunity to measure learning.

Item of Interest:

I found it interesting that there was a section on organizing files. Form me this is something that happens naturally and automatically. I already use a file organization system very similar to what is suggested in the text.

Areas of Help or Clarification:

I am still unsure of myself when writing assessments. I know this will get better overtime. I understand that the assessment is driven by the verb used in the objective and must match the domain level, but I feel I am still missing something. I am looking forward to feedback on this Reflective as well as Dr. Gales feed back on this week’s Lesson Design Project.

Module 2 Reflective Journal

Topics Covered:

The Module 2 lectures covered the following topics: needs analysis, personalized learning, Blooms Taxonomy and the ABCD Method of Writing Instructional Objectives. Textbook reading address the aspects of coherent course design.

Overview / Summary of Topics:

In the Module 2 lectures we begin to learn about writing objectives using 2 different methods. The ABCD Method of Writing Instructional Methods was discussed as well as demonstrated. A handout of the process was also provided. Blooms Taxonomy was also discussed. A demonstration of how to apply Blooms Taxonomy was provided along with a handout of the Blooms Taxonomy wheel. The demonstration of each model broke down the steps to create an objective into chunks that was easy to digest and provided a good understanding of what makes a strong learning objective.

Chapter 3 in” Online Teaching at its Best” discusses the aspect of creating a coherent course.  Course design, course structure and course organization began the chapter. The graphic syllabus was a great visual aid when it came to explaining course organization. The text went on to cover writing and sequencing learning outcomes as well as developing assessments and learning activities. Chapter 3 ended with a discussion on copyright and what to include in a syllabus.

Item of Interest:

I enjoyed reading this chapter. It provided a review of materials from the Fall 2019 semester. Everything made sense and really fell into place for me.  A item of interest is Fair Use. I had a discussion the other day with a client regarding the educational handouts they were using. They were unsure if they could use them without a copyright. The handouts meet the requirements for Fair Use. I even looked up section 107 of the Copyright law.

Areas of Help or Clarification:

At this time I feel comfortable with the information reviewed in Module 2.