The assessment part of the assignment would need to be figured out up front as part of the rubric. As the media platforms are nailed down and the outcomes of the exercise are established a rubric can be built around their engagement. So if they are using a wiki or a blog or even sharing twitter feeds the level of engagement could be measured, the quality of content could be measured, the number of responses generated could be measured all tracking back to the assignment outcomes.
stacey,
I agree, you can also track usage through many of the LMS. I do use this as part of participation grade within an online course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think the best strategy is to link it to a forum or Discussion Board. The best way to ensure that students use video tutorials and other media is to require a brief summary of the video. Typically, I ask students to post one thing they learned from the video tutorial and include how they will apply what they learned to their coursework.
Phyllis,
Great post. I also think you make a great point about looking at student's conversation adds to the academic conversation and how it fosters more discussion. That is important and the assessment should be more than just posting or uploading files; just as you said.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In terms of assessing a student’s use of a hosted site, the materials presented should be evaluated as an extension of the learning process for the course. There should be a variety of instruments to measure the success of the student meeting the terminal course outcomes. Measuring instruments that evaluate dimensions such as presentation, discussion, and organization should be used as benchmarks to guide student utilization of the hosted site through completion of a project. A digital portfolio that develops a theme and the collection of various files, such as text and images to achieve an end point should be evaluate for critical thinking in conveying a message. The successful interaction by a student with other students and responses should also be evaluated. Additionally, the discussions by the student on the site should be assessed to determine if the student’s contributions further the academic conversation and contribute to the interchange of ideas. The learning experience should demonstrate more than just posting or uploading files to a hosted site.
corinne,
Great post! Yes, rubrics add objectivity to evaluation that typically is has been evaluated in a more subjective manner.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
corinne,
Great post! Yes, rubrics add objectivity to evaluation that typically is has been evaluated in a more subjective manner.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
corinne,
Great post! Yes, rubrics add objectivity to evaluation that typically is has been evaluated in a more subjective manner.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
LE,
Rubrics help everyone! it keeps everyone on the same page performing and grading. Students don't ahve to read my mine and I don't have to read theirs!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Rubrics can be used effectively to assess the use of wikis and blogs as media hosting and sharing sites. Wikis and blogs can be used as media hosting and sharing sites as they provide the platform for embedding existing videos, links, audio, and other media. If students, however, are expected to develop their own media as opposed to finding, reviewing, and embedding media into a media hosting and sharing site, the rubric will be designed differently. The guidelines for these rubrics are discussed below.
A rubric for wikis and blogs being used as a platform for embedding existing videos, links, audio, and other media should include the following components to be assessed: Purpose, Content, Organization, and Effective Expression. A rubric for a project in which students develop their own media to be hosted and shared on particular sites should include the components above in addition to the following:
• Audio quality
• Audience
• Technical competence
• Hosting and sharing site
• Security (if applicable)
The rubrics should be designed with language that describes the difference between excellent and poor performance. Therefore, scaled descriptions should be included in the rubrics to help students understand the expectations and the difference between mastery and lack of performance. The rubrics should assess the students’ expressive work in video, audio, illustration, music, and other media with an instrument that is valid, reliable, authentic, and fair.
I have found that Rubrics help me to be consistent and focused in the assessment of my courses. The development of a Rubric helps me to think through the process, goals and outcomes that I am seeking. I would typically use a media hosting and sharing site to supplement various research projects and the content, quality and effective use of the site would be key items that I would evaluate.
Samantha,
That is true. You can also invite experts to be a part of the discussion. This always surprises students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello Professor
I think I would have an ongoing discussion forum where students have to answer specific information that was provided in the sites. This was assess if they actually looked at the material.
Professor S. Carlo
jacob ,
You are right. Rubric creates a framework that ensures you are measuring the objective appropriately.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Rubrics can be a great assessment tool. However, the course objectives and student learner outcomes must still remain the central focus.
Denise,
What a great idea! Those are both creative ways to measure the use of media sites.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It is important to keep up with the students' use of media hosting and sharing sites. You might be able to set up access statistics to see which student are accessing the sites. You can also have test/assessments to let them know that they have to go to the sites to complete work.
Eileen,
That is a great idea. You have to teach students how to critique the social media.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
That is a great way to utilize powerful resources. I have seen Khan but not go2learn. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Patricia,
I hope you do! Make sure that you have a rubric or checklist so students know how you will assess their work. Also, help them develop a process to evaluate their own work.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
