From: Janice Thiel

Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 12:47 PM

To: Janice Thiel

Subject: Form Submission (Critical Thinking Activities & Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs))

Critical Thinking Activities & Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs)

Thank you for submitting your Critical Thinking Activity/RLO idea. Please forward this message and attach any supplemental files (e.g., Handouts, PowerPoints, etc.) to Thiel.Janice@SPCollege.edu

*1.

Title of Critical Thinking Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: Website Evaluation

*2.

Briefly describe or summarize the Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: Students evaluate Websites using a rubric in which they rate the site's authority, affiliation, purpose, objectivity, content, learning process, audience, currency, and design.

*3.

Subject Area(s) - Select all that apply:

Your Answer: Business Technologies, College of Education, College of Nursing, College of Orthotics and Prosthetics, College of Technology & Management, Communications, Dental Hygiene, Engineering Technology, Ethics, Fine & Applied Arts, Mathematics, Natural Science, Paralegal Studies, Public Safety, Social Science, Veterinary Technology, Library

*4.

What is(are) the Major Learning Outcome(s) addressed by this Activity/RLO (from course outline)?

Your Answer: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the application of educational theories in the evaluation of educational software and websites.

*5.

What is(are) the Course Objective(s) addressed by this Activity/RLO (stated in performance terms)?

Your Answer: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the application of educational theories in the evaluation of educational software by: a. identifying the credibility of the source of the software or website. b. determining the appropriateness of the software and websites to the related curriculum benchmarks.

*6.

Type of Activity/RLO - Select all that apply:

Your Answer: Individual

*7.

Time - How much time does it take to conduct this Activity/RLO?

Your Answer: Portion of One Class

*8.

List the materials that are necessary to conduct this Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: Internet access and Website evaluation resources and rubrics: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/assess.html http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/eval.html http://webquest.sdsu.edu/rubrics/weblessons.htm http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

*9.

Instructions - Give detailed step-by-step instructions on how to conduct this Activity/RLO:

Your Answer: NOTE: These instructions are specific to EME 2040 - Introduction to Educational Technology. You will want to provide your students with examples of Website evaluation rubrics, or instruct them to research these online. Complete rubrics to evaluate two different Web sites: 1) Copy the rubric so that you have two to fill out, one for each Website that you will evaluate. 2) Select two Web sites to evaluate. 3) Use the criteria given in the Web Evaluation Rubric to evaluate each Website. 4) As you evaluate each criteria, decide on the appropriate level for that criteria and type your personal justification, rationale, or explanation as to how or why you feel this is the appropriate level for each criteria into the corresponding square/cell on your rubric. 5) For example, if you feel that under Authority the site you are evaluating is a Level 2, then state that no author is available and give the email address listed. 6) If under Currency you feel the site is a Level 3, type the date the site was updated and any other relevant information that would justify your reason for selecting Level 3 into the appropriate square on the evaluation form. 7) In your notes section, describe the purpose of the Website and give any other comments about the usefulness of the site. 8) Submit the assignment to the Drop Box.

*10.

List Additional Resources, for example: Web address/URL, Handouts, PowerPoint, etc. Copy/Paste URLs here. Later, when you receive your confirmation message, forward any supplemental files to the QEP Director.

Your Answer: None

*11.

SPC established as its definition of critical thinking: The active and systemic process of communication, problem solving, evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and reflection, both individually and in community, to foster understanding, support sound decision-making, and guide action.

Which aspect(s) of critical thinking does this Activity/RLO address? - Select all that apply:

Your Answer: Evaluation, Analysis

*12.

How will this improve our students’ ability to think critically?

Your Answer: This activity aligns with the critical thinking domain S-16 which states that: Critical thinkers recognize the importance of using reliable sources of information. They give less weight to sources which either lack a track record of honesty, are not in a position to know, or have a vested interest in the issue. Critical thinkers recognize when there is more than one reasonable position to be taken on an issue; they compare alternative sources of information, noting areas of agreement; they analyze questions to determine whether or not the source is in a position to know; and they gather more information when sources disagree.

*13.

Have you consulted the Activity/RLO Guidelines?

Your Answer: Yes

· Email:Thiel.Janice@SPCollege.edu

If you have any questions or comments about this form, please contact Janice Thiel at Thiel.Janice@SPCollege.edu or call (727) 341-3110