Worksheets Working

I had a chance to redirect my introduction classes this week. I introduced the topic information via lecture on Monday, during which time I assigned them all to find a web-site about a topic within specific levels of courts. I told them to have something to share from a site on Wednesday when we returned to class. On Wednesday, they were all provided an in-class worksheet about the topic we covered on Monday. One of the assignment areas of the worksheet required them to work in small groups. From the information at the site they found, come up with a group answer to explain the level of court system and it's functions.

After a few minutes they had to write a response as a group and present it to the class. The participation and discussions were great. They love using their smart phones and ipads in class. This was a great example of on-line resources providing for critical thinking and small group student centered learning.

More to come...

Blogging from a Non-Blogger

I am never sure where to start with these things. The goal of this blog is to explain to peers and others how open educational resources is working within the class. I think (from what I am reading) that everyone is approaching open resources with different styles. Where going “textbook” free is by far the most direct approach to open resources, it certainly is not the only one. My peers continue to amaze me with their innovation and creative instructional designs.

It should be noted that the College has nurtured a culture of creativity and innovation among faculty. We are truly blessed to have opportunities to explore and develop instructional designs that fit our educational goals. This whole thing started with real conversations about what is “best” for the students sitting in the classroom. 

My path into this adventure started two years ago with simply removing the requirement of a textbook in the introduction course offerings. Simply enough, right? Well let’s say it requires a little planning and development to run effectively. I spent the first semester developing weekly summary outlines for students to review on topic areas. This was designed to replace the countless pages of material found in a traditional textbook chapter. By focusing on the “core” areas of the topics learning objectives and staying true to the idea that these outlines will provide with what a student “needs” to review before and after the in-class lectures and exercises. I joke and refer to the outlines as the “Lecture Cliff Notes.”

After a couple of semesters of implementing OER and assessing outcomes, I found no real differences in student examination scores with and without a textbook. What I did notice is the millennials ability to use technology within discussion of topic areas. I felt students wanted to include fact checking, research and topic exploration right in the middle of class lecture and discussion. My willingness to allow and even encourage the use of their electronic devices was crossing from sit-in-a-row learning to instructional sessions that were more engaging and student centered. This has led me to the next phase of OER development. I am developing both in class and out of class worksheets that lead the discussions of topic areas. I use one class session for group work and discussion that requires them to reach-out electronic through both academic and non-academic sites for information. Most of the group question require students to engage in opinion based and critical thinking skills. As a class we talk about the issues presented and students are truly engaged in the process of learning. Witnessing students debate policy, question data and interpret topics is proving to be empowering to students.  

These certainly are not new ideas, but student center learning using technology and open resources has proven to spark conversation and student engagement in the learning process. It is my plans to incorporate more active learning using open resources in coming semesters.

This of course will require a lot more prep time…hmmmm I will share some examples and stories as we continue this blog. In the meantime, never forget we make a difference in the lives of our students.