1. Good Point! By Andy Morrall English Language Centre Hong Kong Polytechnic University 5 June 2009

2. Abstract and Biodata Abstract Participants will be introduced to an online program that aims to develop students‘ critical thinking skills, called "Good Point!", which is available to the public at http://goodpoint.elc.polyu.edu.hk The program will be explained and demonstrated, and then participants will be able to use the program to post their own discussion topic, comment on other participants' topics and evaluate them, and finally use the topics and comments to construct an academic essay or presentation. Participants should come to the workshop with a controversial topic in mind that they can use in the program. Biodata Andy Morrall is a Senior Lecturer at the English Language Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is the IT Coordinator and his interests are in autonomy and e-learning.

3. Overview of the Program Problems: Students need to write academic essays related to their studies after only 7 weeks at university – not enough knowledge Students need to give academic presentations Solution: A program that scaffolds students in: - finding information - sharing information - analysing that information - prioritising the information - presenting the information in essay or oral form The resulting program: Good Point!

4. Overview of the Program

5. Selecting a discussion

6. List of Points View

7. Pros and Cons View

8. Topic Map View

9. Slideshow View

10. Essay Planner About this program Aim: The aim of this program is to help you plan your essay about "Evolution cannot satisfactorily explain our world". It will: 1.help you to plan your essay 2.help you to write your essay, including the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. 3.help you to proof-read your essay 4.produce an essay, which you can save and print out using your browser's File menu. 5.And speak your essay to you. You can choose a male or female voice.

11. Presentation Planner Aim: The aim of this program is to help you plan your presentation about "Evolution cannot satisfactorily explain our world". It will: 1.help you to plan your presentation 2.help you to write your presentation, including the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. 3.produce the following: o a script, which you can save and print out using your browser's File menu. o Printable note cards, which you can save and print out using your browser's File menu. o A slide show, which you can save to your computer using the browser's File > Save menu. o And speak your presentation to you. You can choose a male or female voice.

12. Time to try 1) Set up an account

13. Create a Discussion

14. Creating a Discussion

15. Adding a Point

16. Submitting a Point

17. Rating a Point

18. Users rate points on: True / False Importance Fact or Opinion Logical or Illogical (with fallacies and examples) Referencing The computer totals the score and revises the rating of the point, its parent points, and the whole discussion. The % support should change.

19. Teacher’s Page For checking your students’ activity and giving feedback.

20. Thank you Q & A