Peer teaching and learning through an online forum / multiplayer game for course assignments Larry Copes, Adjunct, Curriculum and Instruction Benjamin Cooper, Contract Programmer

About Odysseys2sense Odysseys2sense contains online forums that are also multiplayer games of strategy. These forums have been used for assignments in several courses at the U and elsewhere. We designed the system to foster complex, multi-stranded, extensive conversations, with many students participating.

Session outline See software demonstration by imaginary student. Discuss transcript of imaginary class conversation at later time. Learn how to set up Odysseys for classes

Session outline See software demonstration by imaginary student. Discuss transcript of imaginary class conversation at later time. Learn how to set up Odysseys for classes

Hmm. What password did I use for this site?

The Odyssey for this course is Technology and Society.

I’m ready for Challenge 6 about technology in the classroom.

Here’s challenge 6, just like on the assignment sheet

Cut out the response I wrote in my word processing document...

... and paste it into the forum. Now check it over. I get 1 point just for responding.

2 points for an acceptable answer. I think my answer is acceptable.

Elaborate on the answer for 3 points. I did that with that bit about distracting.

Ask an extension question for a 4 th point. Maybe I’d better label that. Some people have missed it in the past.

OK. On to see what other folks wrote.

Oh, I have to review only one other response before mine is saved. Usually there’s more.

Well, that response doesn’t really answer the question, which is what should be banned. And they didn’t ask an extension question. You’d think the idiot would know better by now!

I’m glad these are anonymous, or they’d be mad at me.

But, come to think of it, other students may think this review is unhelpful or uncivil and give it a low rating.

That would hurt my course grade. Maybe I should be nicer. And maybe I should lower my rating for a response that doesn’t answer the question.

I think that’s better. Now to save my response and review and see if there’s other stuff in the forum.

My power for this Odyssey went up. But I’m right in the middle. Gotta do better.

Yes, there’s one other response so far. I’ll definitely have to come back when I have time to review it.

Session outline See software demonstration by imaginary student. Discuss transcript of imaginary class conversation at later time. Learn how to set up Odysseys for classes

Session outline See software demonstration by imaginary student. Discuss transcript of imaginary class conversation at later time. Learn how to set up Odysseys for classes

Peer teaching and learning through an online forum / multiplayer game for course assignments web site: odysseys2sense.com slides and handouts: larrycopes.com/talks contact: Larry Copes,