Module 3 - Assessment in E-Learning

What was the valuable information that you learned in this module?

This week was the first time I have written full length learning objectives. I have written learning objectives on assignments in the past, but have had no formal instruction on how to correctly write them. I think writing learning objectives and tying them to a concept map was the most valuable exercise I completed this week. I have always been a very visual learner and this helped solidify the connection that exists between a learning objective, an activity and the assessment tool. Here are the learning objectives and the concept map I created this week:

1. Students will display their ability to identify nonverbal communication artifacts by analyzing a print or video advertisement and providing a written summary of their findings with 75% accuracy according to the grading rubric.

2. Students will display their ability to apply and assess their listening skills by completing the “Listening for Details” reusable learning object with 85% accuracy.

3. Students will demonstrate group communication skills and collect cultural communication knowledge by completing a jigsaw group collaboration activity with 75% accuracy according to the grading rubric.

I think the hardest part for me was correctly wording how to include the integration of the assessment tool. This will be an area I will need to continue to improve upon in the future.

My first experience with concept mapping was in my Introduction to Graduate Studies course at UW-Stevens Point. At first, I thought the exercise was time consuming and a bit fruitless, until, I started working on my literature review for my thesis. This is when I first realized the benefits and potential of concept mapping!

While in graduate school, I also worked with a consulting firm one summer. They used extensive concept mapping to examine work processes in organizational settings. The firm had created a concept map that followed a piece of luggage at an airport from the moment you arrived until the moment you received it at your destination. The concept map took up an entire wall. I am amazed that we EVER get our luggage back! Using a concept map is a great way to identify weaknesses, congestion or flaws in any type of system.

Concept mapping is a tool I have touched on in my Written Communication course and area I am hoping to continue to expand upon. With the aid of software, like Inspiration, I believe students will find the process more appealing than in the past. The videos I posted on my blog have some great suggestions on how to utilize concept mapping in the communication studies classroom. I especially liked the silent concept mapping activity. I am looking forward to using this tool more extensively in my classes this fall.

A Meeting of the Minds.....

This week we had our first team meeting for our midterm jigsaw project. We meet in the D2L chat room and hashed out our project. I thought it was a very successful meeting and my group members were all very willing to divide up the responsibilities of the project equally. Yahoo!!

For the project, I will be completing the portion on the Peer to Peer/Instructor-to-student collaboration tools category. I am planning on reviewing Skype as a collaboration tool since I have used this tool successfully in the past as an academic advisor. My challenge is tying it to a learning objective and assessment activity in an online classroom environment. In my oral/interpersonal communication course, there is a group communication component, but I am just uncertain yet as to how I want to integrate the use of Skype.

Garden update!
My first crop of red raspberries is ripe! They are two weeks early this year, but are especially tasty! My dog, Bailey, has discovered how wonderful they taste as well. She pulls them right off of the branches and eats them! 

I have also harvested Kohlrabi, Radishes and Cilantro this week! YUM!