CRLT GSI Training: Using Online Resources Presented By: Jay Holden GSIs GRADUATE STUDENT INSTRUCTORS +

Learning Objectives After attending this training, GSIs will be: I. I.Introduced to a variety of fundamental learning objects (LOs) that are applicable across multiple disciplines II. II.Competent in incorporating LOs into discussion sections to helps students better understand course content III. III.Able to refer to specific cross-discipline collections previously composed for their usage and knowledgeable in the process of becoming a MERLOT member and composing “Personal Collections”

Introducing Online Resources Learning Object (LO) - Any web-based teaching tool (i.e. tutorial, simulation, case study, quiz etc.) - -“LOs are interactive web resources that lead students to learning objectives via informed pedagogy.” 2008) MERLOT- Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching – –Merlot.org- A google for LOs – –MERLOT is directly connected with over 20,000 different peer reviewed LOs available for different disciplines and free for you to use

Research Methods Here:

Internet Detective Here:

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org Surfing the site for LOs General searches for learning objects are as simple as entering in your keywords into the search bar and hitting “GO”. Example: If you are looking for a general LO on graphing a line, simply type into the search bar: “graphing a line”

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org Note the “Material Detail” page -Presents a face sheet of important info about the learning object -Hit “go to material” -Use this LO in your discussion section as an in class activity, as homework, or however you see fit

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org Important factors in locating good LO’s - - Peer Reviews are helpful when provided yet many LOs have not been reviewed - - Comments and inc. in many personal collections are the next best thing, & especially supportive of the LO if “Used in classroom” - - Add your own comment after you have reviewed a LO (it can help others in your position)

Surfing and Using- MERLOT.org Once you have found a LO that you like………… Add it to a “Personal Collection” Personal Collection- A group of LOs that is personally managed by a MERLOT member Examples of Personal Collections: Jay Holden “PSYCH Learning Objects” “Cross-Discipline Collection” To access these collections just search the “Member Directory” To make your own Personal Collection for a LO (membership req.) just click “Add to a Personal Collection” on the LO’s face sheet

Exercise: Reviewing LOs Your task is to locate and review a LO that you may want to incorporate into your teaching this semester. 1. Become a member of MERLOT.org -Go to MERLOT.org and click “Become a Member today!Membership is FREE”Become a Member today!Membership is FREE -Fill out the necessary info and click “Submit” 2. Search & Review -Search in MERLOT for any learning material that may help you in teaching a concept in your discipline -Review this learning object based on the criteria listed below: Three parts to the review: (0-5 Stars; 5 is the best, 0 is the worst) 1) 1)Ease of Use: (0-5 stars) 2) 2)Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool: (0-5 stars) 3) 3)Quality of Content: (0-5 stars) OVERALL: (average of the three scores from above) (0-5 Stars) 3. Comment - After reviewing the LO, POST A COMMENT about your review of it

Example Review for an LO: By: Jay Holden By: Alan Levine Maricopa Community Colleges [CROSS-DISCIPLINE L.O.]

Research Methods This site is for students of intro courses of any discipline who are beginning to focus on scientific research This site is for students of intro courses of any discipline who are beginning to focus on scientific research This learning material (tutorial) presents descriptions of various scientific research methods and each of their strengths and weaknesses across a variety of disciplines*. This learning material (tutorial) presents descriptions of various scientific research methods and each of their strengths and weaknesses across a variety of disciplines*. Overview: An introduction to the uses and limitations of five common empirical scientific research methods- Overview: An introduction to the uses and limitations of five common empirical scientific research methods-  Experimentation  Naturalistic Observation  Correlation  Survey  Case Study *Specific research study examples are provided from the fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, geology, and biology.

Research Methods: Major Learning Goals: Learning Goals: Learning Goals: –The student should be able to…  Differentiate between 5 basic research methods  Identify the strengths of each method  Identify the limitations of each method  Recognize the level of performance that he or she is at on mastering the concepts provided for each of the above goals (Quiz/Test Feedback) Go to the site:

Research Methods: Strengths CONTENT QUALITY: CONTENT QUALITY: Accurate, thorough, and relevant to many different disciplines - gives 2 solid example studies for each discipline! Accurate, thorough, and relevant to many different disciplines - gives 2 solid example studies for each discipline! AS A TEACHING TOOL: AS A TEACHING TOOL: Made with student learning objectives in mind (outlined in the site) Made with student learning objectives in mind (outlined in the site) Practice and Post-tests are useful teaching tools (feedback given on practice test; final scores given on post-tests- can be an assignment on its own!) Practice and Post-tests are useful teaching tools (feedback given on practice test; final scores given on post-tests- can be an assignment on its own!) EASE OF USE EASE OF USE Very straight forward and easy to use. Instructions on the homepage assist the user in addressing any concerns Very straight forward and easy to use. Instructions on the homepage assist the user in addressing any concerns Visually appealing and simple Visually appealing and simple …..Overall strengths look pretty good.

CONTENT QUALITY: CONTENT QUALITY: Very uncomplicated and should only be used as an introduction to research methods or as a review Very uncomplicated and should only be used as an introduction to research methods or as a review AS A TEACHING TOOL: AS A TEACHING TOOL: Could not be used well in a lecture because the screen is too small and non-adjustable. Could not be used well in a lecture because the screen is too small and non-adjustable. No feedback for the final test given to the student on which items he or she answered correctly or incorrectly (it only gives the fraction of correctly answered items over the total number of items in each section) No feedback for the final test given to the student on which items he or she answered correctly or incorrectly (it only gives the fraction of correctly answered items over the total number of items in each section) EASE OF USE: EASE OF USE: The required shockwave plug-in cannot be downloaded on campus The required shockwave plug-in cannot be downloaded on campus computers w/o administrative access computers w/o administrative access …..Overall weaknesses are not too bad. Research Methods: Weaknesses

Research Methods: Overall Overall this cross-disciplinary learning object provides introductory students with solid, out of class, interactive learning material. CONTENT QUALITY: 5 Stars CONTENT QUALITY: 5 Stars AS A TEACHING TOOL: 4 Stars AS A TEACHING TOOL: 4 Stars EASE OF USE: 4.5 Stars EASE OF USE: 4.5 Stars OVERALL: 4.5 Stars OVERALL: 4.5 Stars