assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Assessing the ecology of a course blog
Improving learning outcomes through web mediated writing and open educational
practices
![Page 2: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Human action is best understood as narrative
![Page 3: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
What's that?Endive salad. I bite each piece as if it were a boat load of people and bury them in a sea of darkness.
Social media used effectively generates
digital storytelling
![Page 4: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Double-click to enter text
Social media can be incorporated effectively
into the classroom
![Page 5: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Exploratory study tested the ecology of a course blog and measured learning outcomes in terms of rates of publication.Penn State University, State College PAUndergrad technical writing course for engineersStudents wrote articles for an outside publication
Follow-up study examined the writing process in terms of differences in peer feedback and learning outcomes.Concordia University, Montreal, QuebecUndergraduate basic composition course
Two quasi-experimental studies were conducted to
determine if blogging technology impacted learning outcomes
![Page 6: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Experimental versus control group
Both studies entailed two intact sections each of an undergraduate composition course.
Control group was randomly assigned and worked with paper and traditional writing process
Experimental group was randomly assigned and published all work on a course blog
![Page 7: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Two sections of technical writing courses were given a project to write an article for publication.
One section followed the traditional writing process using computer-assisted writing on paper and group workshops of paper drafts.
The other section published their work-in-progress on a course blog and engaged in online collaboration.
The results of this study demonstrated that utilizing an online social network in the form of a course blog impacted learning outcomes.
Abstract first study
![Page 8: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
The study design was based on the traditional
writing process
![Page 9: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Paper workshops provide a limited framework for
collaboration.
![Page 10: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
The framework for collaboration can be
expanded by stretching traditional classroom
boundaries.
![Page 11: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
An outside stakeholder and authentic project impacts
the rhetorical situation.
![Page 12: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Changing the medium further emphasizes
audience.
![Page 13: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Double-click to enter text
Key ingredient was an outside stakeholder
![Page 14: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Second key ingredient: authentic project
![Page 15: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Design Considerations
What's in it for me?Typical projects are only seen by the instructor and a few peersPA Center for the Book project was publicPotential to be publishedWorking with an outside agent (reviewer)Sense of ownershipMaintaining high levels of interactionStudent/editorStudent/instructorStudent/students
![Page 16: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Articles that were produced on blogs had a statistically
significantly higher publishing rate.
![Page 17: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Student feedback will follow:
![Page 18: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Spent more time making sure everything was good because others were going to see
it
![Page 19: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Thought of being published while still in college was exciting
![Page 20: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Active learner instead of passive learner
![Page 21: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
More support from peers and stakeholders
![Page 22: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Made you feel more responsible and inclined to act
![Page 23: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Next, I conducted a follow-up study.
![Page 24: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Constraints to using social media
University does not provide web space to studentsQuebec laws are stringent with regards to protecting the privacy rights of students University social media policy requires administrative permissionSurvey of students revealed that extremely few are using social media in their academic coursework
![Page 25: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Movable Type 5.14 content management systemOwn my domainsCreate unlimited number of blogsAssign each blog to an individual studentComplete administrative, creative, and design controlAble to assign Creative Commons license to all course materialCost $25 course/yearReplace outside stakeholder with a visible community websiteExamples: eatingcrow.ca, english212.com, beatnik.ca, outlaw-writing.com, businessremix.com, montrealites.ca
Developed server space
![Page 26: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Open online course website
![Page 27: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
A Montréal community website provides an
opportunity to publish and create an authentic project
![Page 28: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
We've developed reach
![Page 29: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Abstract follow-up study
Two sections of basic composition courses were given a project to write articles for publication. (three articles-three drafts)
One section followed the traditional writing process using computer-assisted writing on paper and group workshops of paper drafts.
The other section published their work-in-progress on a course blog and engaged in online collaboration.
The results of this study demonstrated that utilizing an online social network in the form of a course blog impacted learning outcomes.
![Page 30: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Study design
First paper Second paper Third paper
![Page 31: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Blogs vs. Paper: Quality and quantity of peer
feedbackDouble-click to enter text
![Page 32: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Double-click to enter text
Types of feedback provided:
![Page 33: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
A narrative feedback
![Page 34: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Student Feedback
Spent more time making sure everything was good because others were going to see itPublishing coursework on a personal blog was excitingEngaging learning environment More support from peers Felt more responsible and inclined to actSpent more time on peer feedback activity
![Page 35: Assessing the ecology_of_a_course_blog](https://reader033.vdocuments.mx/reader033/viewer/2022052820/5478a201b4af9f9c5b8b4730/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
Affordance of a course blog
The open course blog provided affordance in terms of the following factors compared to a Moodle Learning Management System combined with paper:
Statistically higher learning outcomesStatistically higher quality and quantity of feedbackLearner engagementEase of useTimeAdministrative organization