Muddiest Point Paper – How to

Xref A Practical Guide to Information Literacy Assessment for Academic Librarians by Carolyn Radcliff

In planning to use this type of assessment, in my classroom (either online or face-to-face) the follow suggestions are made in the book:

First ask “What was one new thing you learned today?” and expect that answers may not always please you

Then ask “What questions do you still have about what was covered in class today?” or have them “List some things that you wish the teacher had spent more time explaining”

 The idea is for students to give you their immediate impressions and not second guess what they want.

 My questions to my peers in regard to this reading and incorporating this assessment method would be:

1.  What is the value of anonymity and limiting student time allowed to answer the question? 

2. How would this tool work online in E-Learning vs How it works in the classroom?

My initial preference would be for them to complete this reflection for any lesson, but require them to do so at least once a week (to make sure every student complies). 

My 2^nd preference would be to require their names so that I could prepare to address their concerns with them.

Your thoughts?

It’s my first day on the Blogging Circuit

Me in the middle

Just thought I’d share my learning on the difference between inadvertantly leaving something in “drafts” and actually previewing and eventually posting… moving about the site again today, I’m finding these earlier drafts that I apparently did not post.  Hope my cohorts are having an easier time

Refresher on Allison’s interview with me

I enjoyed seeing this on you, my cohorts, blogs – so here’s the information posted earlier on the discussion board by Allison.  Thanks again to her for such a nice job!

I would like to Gwen deJong Hennessey to our class.  Gwen tells me she is a business/marketing/ITV instructor in Somerset, Wisconsin. And in Somerset, right this minute, Country Splash is occurring.  (disclosure: I am a country enthusiast myself. Gwen tells me that the 2010 Apple River Country Splash lineup is fantastic. It includes Travis Tritt, Gretchen Wilson, Tanya Tucker, Lorrie Morgan, Joe Nichols, Keith Anderson, and, many more. Go to www.countrysplash.com/  for more information! )

Gwen, a business/marketing/ITV instructor, has chosen this program for several reasons.  She notes that:

“E-learning is growing and as teachers, we need to be ‘on the curve’ if we can’t be on the leading edge.  I was certified by UW-Stout and enjoy the practical learning, allowing us hands on.”

Gwen is currently in her 10^th year of teaching. Prior to that she worked at United Healthcare in Minnetonka, MN where she started as an accountant.  She tells me that her favorite role there was in Product Management.  She left after 18 years.  Her last position was Sales Director. 

Gwen has shifted careers somewhat since her tenure at United HealthCare. Currently she teaches remedial science and remedial math through Northern Lights Network. She explains that it is not quite E-Learning, but distance learning is the common thread. Describing this in more detail, Gwen notes that,  “The standardized lessons are quite self-paced.  I think E-Learning would allow a more individualized approach to instruction, something I don’t feel equipped to pursue just yet.”

Thanks Gwen.  Sounds like you made good choice to enroll in this program!

Regards, Allison, Washington state

Week 3 June 28

Wow, I’m so glad to have the technology linking more efficiently this week.  The example of the Hydrolic Cycle ran without hesitating a bit.  Is this pronounced like Hydraulic by chance?  I teach Remedial Science and, on that note, would like to keep that link for next year – great for visual learners. 

The Bonk videos had to buffer, but did so fairly quickly.  For some reason I couldn’t get the 2nd video to load at all.

Bonk:  I found that the Bonk videos were informative, at least the two I was able to view.  The 1st video covered Collaboration (Skype, Yahoo Groups) vs Pedagogy (working  to summarize).  And I strongly agree with the notion that online learning provides a nearly forced reflective aspect due to the fact that the chats and discussions are documented and can be review and edited throughout the course.  This aids understanding AND retention – a case made in the 3rd video.

Bonk: 2nd video – wouldn’t load.  I’m looking forward to reading summaries from other students on this one.

Bonk: 3rd video – I really enjoyed the suggestion of using short summaries, reflective papers and “muddyest point papers” – as an instructor this would help me understand where each of my students stood in regard to each assignment set.  I had a class through UW-Innovations that required 12 two-page papers over the course of 6 weeks… I recall this as a very good method because the instructor was prompt in responding thoroughly to each of the short papers.  In fact, when I was asked to rewrite a couple, I was actually encouraged that the instructor knew me well enough to identify I could get more out of the information.  Because the papers were short, redoing them wasn’t a big deal but rather another chance to learn and “get it right”.  The feedback was genuine and showed concern for the student.  Something I hope to do as I progress to this side of the learning/instructing place in e-learning.

Week 1 June 14 Reflection (reposted)

Week of June 14 ReflectionPosted on June 23, 2010 by gdh2blog

1st things 1st.  Completed my PARTNER INTERVIEW with Allison.  Thank you Allison for giving me the confidence to post in these discussions.

Just for laughs, I’m still enjoying the use of the work “Lurking” to describe Auditing… this was in one of Norma’s post I believe.

Completed my ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENTS reading - Journal Writing and Rubrics.  I’m feeling pretty comfortable with these two forms of assessments, but will be looking for “new” learning opportunities in designing them for use with online learning/teaching.

Responded to Allison 6/19 re: 3 forms of assessment and also posted thoughts on Learning Styles Re: Discussion 2: Assessment paradigm-Buhagiar article, responded to CC

Completed reading on Benefits of Wikis.  Although I’ve seen students actively use and edit wikis as part of assignments for their classes, I’ve personally never referenced or edited a wiki myself until this class.

Responded to Pamela 6/19

Looks like we’ll have an opportunity to create and/or edit wikis next week and start our own blog spot.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Week 2 June 21 Reflection

Good readings tonight.  After actively setting up my Diingo, Moodle, Blog, Wiki accounts and then editing a Wiki, and posting on this blog, I enjoyed “just reading” for a bit.

From our first reading: 

Measurement – is a means to … Assessment – is a tool to … Evaluate

and from Brent Muirhead D.Min., Ph.D. :

Alternate Assessment might include Journal Writing and Rubrics rather than objective tests or essays

and from Huba and Freed (2000):

Teacher-Centered Paradigm vs Learner-Centered Paradigm where examples like list are listed in a table:

Knowledge is transferred from teacher to students in the Teacher-Centered paradigm while Students construct knowledge through gathering and synthesizing information, integrating it with the general skills of inquiry, communication, critical thinking, problem solving etc… in the student-centered paradigm.

Personal tidbit.  I first heard the word “Paradigm” back in 1992 (approximately) from Kathy Walstead-Plumb, one of my favorite United Healthcare executives.  I’m kind of hoping she’ll google herself one day and find my blog reference to her.  I learned alot under her leadership.  KWP if you’re still out there – God Bless YOU!

Username & Password frenzy

Today for my online e-learning classes, I’ve been introduced to Diigo, reintroduced to Moodle and now have started blogging on WordPress.  I think I may have set up a google email account by accident in the process.  I know that I have several new user names and passwords to remember.  I already had 3 email accounts, a professional webpage and a facebook account… part of me doesn’t want to fall asleep in fear of forgetting these user names and passwords.  If you read this, could you say a quick prayer for me?

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