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.