CRLT GSI Training:CRLT GSI Training:Using Online ResourcesUsing Online Resources

Presented By: Jay HoldenPresented By: Jay Holden

GSIs GRADUATE STUDENT

INSTRUCTORS

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Learning Objectives

After attending this training, GSIs will be:

I. Introduced to a variety of fundamental learning objects (LOs) that are applicable across multiple disciplines

II. Competent in incorporating LOs into discussion sections to helps students better understand course content

III. Able to refer to specific cross-discipline collections previously composed for their usage and knowledgeable in the process of becoming a MERLOT member and composing “Personal Collections”

Introducing Online Resources

Learning Object (LO)- Any web-based teaching tool (i.e. tutorial, simulation,

case study, quiz etc.) - “LOs are interactive web resources that lead students to

learning objectives via informed pedagogy.” (MERLOT@Michigan, 2008)

MERLOT- Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching– Merlot.org- A google for LOs– MERLOT is directly connected with over 20,000 different peer

reviewed LOs available for different disciplines and free for you to use

Research Methods Here:http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/proj/res_meth/login.html

Internet Detective Here:http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/detective/index.html

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org

Surfing the site for LOsGeneral searches for learning objects are

as simple as entering in your keywords into the search bar and hitting “GO”.

Example: If you are looking for a general LO on graphing a line, simply type into the search bar: “graphing a line”

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org

Note the “Material Detail” page-Presents a face sheet of important info about the

learning object

-Hit “go to material”

-Use this LO in your discussion section as an in class activity, as homework, or however you see fit

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org

Important factors in locating good LO’s

- Peer Reviews are helpful when provided yet many LOs have not been reviewed

- Comments and inc. in many personal collections are the next best thing, & especially supportive of the LO if “Used in classroom”

- Add your own comment after you have reviewed a LO (it can help others in your position)

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org

Once you have found a LO that you like………… Add it to a “Personal Collection”

Personal Collection-A group of LOs that is personally managed by a MERLOT member

Examples of Personal Collections: Jay Holden MERLOT @Michigan “PSYCH Learning Objects” “Cross-Discipline Collection”

To access these collections just search the “Member Directory” To make your own Personal Collection for a LO (membership req.)

just click “Add to a Personal Collection” on the LO’s face sheet

Exercise: Reviewing LOs

Your task is to locate and review a LO that you may want to incorporate into your teaching this semester.

1. Become a member of MERLOT.org

-Go to MERLOT.org and click “Become a Member today!Membership is FREE”

-Fill out the necessary info and click “Submit”

2. Search & Review-Search in MERLOT for any learning material that may help you in

teaching a concept in your discipline-Review this learning object based on the criteria listed below:

Three parts to the review: (0-5 Stars; 5 is the best, 0 is the worst)1) Ease of Use: (0-5 stars)2) Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool: (0-5 stars)3) Quality of Content: (0-5 stars)

OVERALL: (average of the three scores from above) (0-5 Stars)3. Comment - After reviewing the LO, POST A COMMENT about your review of it

Example Review for an LO:Example Review for an LO:

By: Jay HoldenBy: Jay Holden

By: Alan Levine  Maricopa Community Colleges[CROSS-DISCIPLINE L.O.]

Research MethodsResearch Methods

This site is for students of intro courses of any discipline who are This site is for students of intro courses of any discipline who are beginning to focus on scientific researchbeginning to focus on scientific research

This learning material (tutorial) presents descriptions of This learning material (tutorial) presents descriptions of various scientific research methods and each of their various scientific research methods and each of their strengths and weaknesses across a variety of disciplines*.strengths and weaknesses across a variety of disciplines*.

Overview: An introduction to the uses and limitations of five Overview: An introduction to the uses and limitations of five common empirical scientific research methods-common empirical scientific research methods-

ExperimentationExperimentation Naturalistic ObservationNaturalistic Observation CorrelationCorrelation SurveySurvey Case Study Case Study

*Specific research study examples are provided from the fields of *Specific research study examples are provided from the fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, geology, and biology. psychology, sociology, anthropology, geology, and biology.

Research Methods:Research Methods:Major Learning Goals:Major Learning Goals:

Learning Goals: Learning Goals: – The student should be able to…The student should be able to…

Differentiate between 5 basic research methodsDifferentiate between 5 basic research methods

Identify the strengths of each methodIdentify the strengths of each method

Identify the limitations of each methodIdentify the limitations of each method

Recognize the level of performance that he or she Recognize the level of performance that he or she is at on mastering the concepts provided for each is at on mastering the concepts provided for each of the above goals (Quiz/Test Feedback)of the above goals (Quiz/Test Feedback)

Go to the site: http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=90821

Research Methods: Research Methods: StrengthsStrengths

CONTENT QUALITY:CONTENT QUALITY:• Accurate, thorough, and relevant to many different disciplines - gives 2 Accurate, thorough, and relevant to many different disciplines - gives 2

solid example studies for each discipline!solid example studies for each discipline!

AS A TEACHING TOOL:AS A TEACHING TOOL:• Made with student learning objectives in mind (outlined in the site)Made with student learning objectives in mind (outlined in the site)• Practice and Post-tests are useful teaching tools (feedback given on Practice and Post-tests are useful teaching tools (feedback given on

practice test; final scores given on post-tests- can be an assignment on practice test; final scores given on post-tests- can be an assignment on its own!)its own!)

EASE OF USEEASE OF USE• Very straight forward and easy to use. Instructions on the homepage Very straight forward and easy to use. Instructions on the homepage

assist the user in addressing any concernsassist the user in addressing any concerns• Visually appealing and simpleVisually appealing and simple

……..Overall strengths look pretty good...Overall strengths look pretty good.

CONTENT QUALITY:CONTENT QUALITY:• Very uncomplicated and should only be used as an introduction to research Very uncomplicated and should only be used as an introduction to research

methods or as a reviewmethods or as a review

AS A TEACHING TOOL: AS A TEACHING TOOL: • Could not be used well in a lecture because the screen is too small and non-Could not be used well in a lecture because the screen is too small and non-

adjustable.adjustable.• No feedback for the final test given to the student on which items he or she No feedback for the final test given to the student on which items he or she

answered correctly or incorrectly (it only gives the fraction of correctly answered answered correctly or incorrectly (it only gives the fraction of correctly answered items over the total number of items in each section)items over the total number of items in each section)

EASE OF USE: EASE OF USE: • The required shockwave plug-in cannot be downloaded on campusThe required shockwave plug-in cannot be downloaded on campus

computers w/o administrative access computers w/o administrative access

……..Overall weaknesses are not too bad...Overall weaknesses are not too bad.

Research Methods: Research Methods: WeaknessesWeaknesses

Research Methods: Research Methods: OverallOverall

Overall this cross-disciplinary learning object provides Overall this cross-disciplinary learning object provides introductory students with solid, out of class, interactive introductory students with solid, out of class, interactive learning material.learning material.

CONTENT QUALITY: 5 StarsCONTENT QUALITY: 5 Stars AS A TEACHING TOOL: 4 StarsAS A TEACHING TOOL: 4 Stars EASE OF USE: 4.5 StarsEASE OF USE: 4.5 Stars OVERALL: 4.5 StarsOVERALL: 4.5 Stars