Good Point!

By Andy MorrallEnglish Language Centre

Hong Kong Polytechnic University5 June 2009

Abstract and BiodataAbstractParticipants will be introduced to an online program that aims to develop students‘ critical thinking skills, called "Good Point!", which is available to the public at http://goodpoint.elc.polyu.edu.hk The program will be explained and demonstrated, and then participants will be able to use the program to post their own discussion topic, comment on other participants' topics and evaluate them, and finally use the topics and comments to construct an academic essay or presentation. Participants should come to the workshop with a controversial topic in mind that they can use in the program.

BiodataAndy Morrall is a Senior Lecturer at the English Language Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is the IT Coordinator and his interests are in autonomy and e-learning.

Overview of the ProgramProblems:• Students need to write academic essays related to their studies

after only 7 weeks at university – not enough knowledge• Students need to give academic presentations

Solution:• A program that scaffolds students in:

- finding information- sharing information- analysing that information- prioritising the information- presenting the information in essay or oral form

• The resulting program: Good Point!

Overview of the Program

Selecting a discussion

List of Points View

Pros and Cons View

Topic Map View

Slideshow View

Essay Planner

About this programAim: The aim of this program is to help you plan your essay about "Evolution cannot satisfactorily explain our world". It will: 1. help you to plan your essay2. help you to write your essay, including the Introduction,

Body, and Conclusion. 3. help you to proof-read your essay 4. produce an essay, which you can save and print out

using your browser's File menu.5. And speak your essay to you. You can choose a  male

or female voice.

Presentation Planner

Aim: The aim of this program is to help you plan your presentation about "Evolution cannot satisfactorily explain our world". It will: 1. help you to plan your presentation2. help you to write your presentation, including the

Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. 3. produce the following:

o a script, which you can save and print out using your browser's File menu.

o Printable note cards, which you can save and print out using your browser's File menu.

o A slide show, which you can save to your computer using the browser's File > Save menu.

o And speak your presentation to you. You can choose a  male or female voice.

Time to try

1) Set up an account

Create a Discussion

Creating a Discussion

Adding a Point

Submitting a Point

Rating a Point

Rating a Point

Users rate points on:• True / False• Importance• Fact or Opinion• Logical or Illogical (with fallacies and examples)• Referencing

The computer totals the score and revises the rating of the point, its parent points, and the whole discussion.

The % support should change.

Teacher’s Page

For checking your students’ activity and giving feedback.

Thank youQ & A