Managing Online Discussions with a Participation Portfolio John Fritz UMBC July 23, 2008

Overview Background Problem Solution Influences & Handouts Q & A Require a Participation Portfolio Create a “Quality Discussion” Rubric Create a Portfolio Template (MS Word) Influences & Handouts Q & A

ADP “Best Practice” Partnership with Summer & Winter Programs Faculty Development Center & OIT (support) Faculty build and present at least two online learning modules, activities or assignments students would see in a traditional course redesigned for hybrid delivery; 10-minute presentation must include summary of 1 peer and student review for each deliverable; Program requirements, application & training “syllabus”: http://www.umbc.edu/oit/hybrid

Evolving CMS Use by Faculty User & Document Management (Pull) Password-protected class & group space Attach or Copy/Paste Documents (expiration) Communications (Push) Announcements Email, Messages Discussion & Chat Assessments (Push & Pull) Electronic assignment delivery & collection Quizzing, Surveys, Course Usage

Online Discussion Assessment Problems Quantity-Based How do you avoid rewarding “me too” or “I agree” posts? Quality-Based Tedious to find, subjective, a pain to justify to students.

Solution: Self-Graded Portfolio Instructor defines grading rubric for good post & reply (this is THE hardest task for instructors). Students propose grade they feel they deserve, based on 3-5 examples of each. “Evidence” must be taken from separate weeks to avoid end of semester “dog pile.” Students copy and paste examples into a “portfolio” and submit electronically. Instructor can accept, raise or lower grade based on quality of evidence based on rubric (#1).

Assignment Upload

Assignment Requirements

Discussion Grading Rubric

Discussion Portfolio Example

Discussion Interaction Types Student-Content (SC) Student-Student (SS) Student-Group (SG)

Student-Content (SC) Type Aspects Post a few salient sentences on the topic; Link posts to course theories, lectures or texts (synthesis & analysis); Cite new or existing sources whenever possible.

Student-Student (SS) Type Aspects Draw out a colleague’s assumptions through probing follow up queries; Dispute positions with which you do not agree; Defend your own position with evidence.

Student-Group (SG) Type Aspects Provoke thought (not emotions) about a new idea or issue; Contribute to the civil discourse or edification of the class; Encourage participation of others.

Fixed Duration for Discussions Set discussions with fixed start & end Benefits: Students will be more proactive (especially if you require a discussion portfolio) Laggards can’t chime in at the end of semester. Easier to manage one discussion at a time, than several concurrently.

Testimonial Chris Swan, Geography “Improving Student Learning in a Hybrid Course” 10/10/05 Brown Bag Workshop “Blackboard Best Practices” 09/21/07 iTunesU Q&A 10/15/05 TLT Brown Bag see time code 09:30:00 for his specific use of portfolios & templates. See “past presentation archive” at www.umbc.edu/brownbag Also, see “Teaching & Learning” section of http://itunes.umbc.edu

Use MS Word Form “Portfolio” ADP Best Practice Use MS Word Form “Portfolio”

Problem Students struggle with form & content of atypical assignments. I want to know how students analyze their own discourse and participation. I want to make most efficient use of my time.

Solution: MS Word Form Create a form that students complete and submit online. Benefits: Guides the student in what you’re looking for; Standardizes student input which makes grading more efficient;

Portfolio Template

Portfolio Discussion Grade

How to Create MS Word Forms

MS Word Form Toolbar Options Text box Check box Drop down menu Form field options Table Frames Shading Lock (Tip: enable before save/upload so users can download/fill in).

Portfolio Influences “It Takes A Village”

Performance-based Portfolio (2003) Karin Readel, UMBC Geography Professor Developed an “extra credit” discussion portfolio for analysis of related articles.

Discussion Forum w/Expiration Dates & Grading Rubric (2005) Michael Scheuermann, Drexel University Builds student responsibility for discussions by establishing forum or chat duration “windows” and grading rubrics 1/13/05 Educause MARC Presentation

Discussion Template (2005) Chris Swan, UMBC Geography Professor Developed an MS Word Template to Capture (standardize?) students’ best 3-5 posts for portfolio.

Discourse Analysis-based Rubric (2006) Patricia Verdines, Adjunct Professor, UM CLIS Classified “types” of threaded discussion interactions. 3/31/06 UM TWT Conference

Links UMBC’s Hybrid Training Program http://www.umbc.edu/oit/hybrid/training UMBC’s Most Active Bb Courses Reports http://www.umbc.edu/blackboard/reports Rubristar for Teachers (rubric maker) http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

Thanks! John Fritz fritz@umbc.edu or 410.455.6596 Q & A Thanks! John Fritz fritz@umbc.edu or 410.455.6596