Matt Jackson approached ETS after being assigned to teach Comm. 180 (Introduction to Telecommunications) for the first time. The main focus was on aiding Matt as he developed the basic course throughout the semester as well as suggesting ways that he could incorporate technology into the learning process.
The main new technology feature was having students create blog entries for extra credit in response/addition to class assignments. This served the dual purpose of getting students to use the technologies discussed in class, and giving them an opportunity to reflect on the subject matter. Results:
Extra Credit Blog 1: 120/350 = 34.2% of class responded.
Extra Credit Blog 2: 148/350 = 42.3% of class responded.
Extra Credit Blog 3: 190/350 = 54.3% of class responded.
Matt and the TAs were able to view class results by using the tag aggregation and further narrowing the search by adding the tag for each blog (B1, B2, or B3).
Matt would like to keep using the blogs as an extra credit option for spring semester. He asked that I give a short session on setting up blog space and getting started in hopes that more people will take part and less issues arise with the process (the TA got ~50 emails with issues for each of the three assignments). If all goes well in SP09 Matt would like to work on mandating blogging for FA09.
Matt will be blogging starting SP09 as well. He wants to get away from the textbook for FA09 and focus more on online readings and resources that he can post on his blog.
Next Semester:
In addition to furthering the use of blogs in the class, Matt would like the students to gain a better understanding as far as how technologies work. For example, "here's how the Internet works, here's how radio and television work with waves, the difference between AM and FM.
Building a list of resources is going to be crucial to subsequent semesters of this course. Matt is thinking of (in FA09) grading participation based on a weekly reflection entry or adding a resource beneficial to the lesson at hand by each student. This will allow the students to take more ownership in their learning as well as contribute to the resources that can be used for future offerings.
Wiki Page with Weekly Updates
The main new technology feature was having students create blog entries for extra credit in response/addition to class assignments. This served the dual purpose of getting students to use the technologies discussed in class, and giving them an opportunity to reflect on the subject matter. Results:
Extra Credit Blog 1: 120/350 = 34.2% of class responded.
Extra Credit Blog 2: 148/350 = 42.3% of class responded.
Extra Credit Blog 3: 190/350 = 54.3% of class responded.
Matt and the TAs were able to view class results by using the tag aggregation and further narrowing the search by adding the tag for each blog (B1, B2, or B3).
Matt would like to keep using the blogs as an extra credit option for spring semester. He asked that I give a short session on setting up blog space and getting started in hopes that more people will take part and less issues arise with the process (the TA got ~50 emails with issues for each of the three assignments). If all goes well in SP09 Matt would like to work on mandating blogging for FA09.
Matt will be blogging starting SP09 as well. He wants to get away from the textbook for FA09 and focus more on online readings and resources that he can post on his blog.
Next Semester:
In addition to furthering the use of blogs in the class, Matt would like the students to gain a better understanding as far as how technologies work. For example, "here's how the Internet works, here's how radio and television work with waves, the difference between AM and FM.
Building a list of resources is going to be crucial to subsequent semesters of this course. Matt is thinking of (in FA09) grading participation based on a weekly reflection entry or adding a resource beneficial to the lesson at hand by each student. This will allow the students to take more ownership in their learning as well as contribute to the resources that can be used for future offerings.
Wiki Page with Weekly Updates
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