RSS and me

Well I have to admit that this week’s task related to RSS feeds did not land me a new world of information at my fingertips. It did however land me at several new educational sites that are on my favorites list. My trends plot looks abysmal, so I dare not post it. I also admit to getting somewhat off the rails with the feeds I did access as I now have them stored in two places! I wonder if anyone else got confused, or am I alone with my penchant for misplacing things.

Anyhow in my search I did come across another article about RSS feeds that I did find interesting although with the lightening speed at which our knowledge of technology changes this could be very dated (2006) what do I know!!

http://weblogg-ed.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/RSSFAQ4.pdf

TBL - the saga continues

As I venture more into Team-Based Learning as a course delivery method I become more certain that the learning outcomes will be greater than if the course were being taught in a more traditional manner. Time will tell, but so far I am on a learning curve along with the students, and I m reveling in the challenges it is bringing me. Who says that “old dogs can’t learn new tricks”! Right now, I am attempting to develop a rubric for the individual component of the team assignment (which is tracked via the team wiki). I’m using these 2 sites to help me in this task – you might find them useful as well at some point.
http://flatclassroomproject.wikispaces.com/Rubrics
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/rubrics.shtml

The Essence of Team-Based Learning

For information on the basics of team-based learning see Michaelsen, L. & Sweet, M. (2008, Winter). The essential elements of team-based learning. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, (116), 7-27. doi:10.1002/tl.331

You can access the article through weblinks on our DUT Blackboard space

Here is the abstract to get you REALLY curious:

Team-based learning (TBL) may rely on small group interaction more heavily than any other commonly used instructional strategy in postsecondary education. This conclusion is based on three facts: (1) Group work with TBL is central to exposing students to and improving their ability to apply course content; (2) Majority of class time with TBL is used for group work; and (3) Courses taught with TBL typically involve multiple group assignments are designed to improve learning and promote development of self-managed learning teams. The authors begin with a brief overview of TBL, discuss the four essential elements of TBL and walk through the steps required to implement them. To conclude, they examine some of the benefits that students, administrators, and faculty can expect from a successful implementation of TBL.

Triping oh so lightly into a blog

I was going to call my blog 'Dinosaur Rising' but decided on something less telling! This is my maiden voyage into the blogsphere, except of course for setting up our DUT blog which was a breeze as the template was laid out for me.

Aside from commenting on my use of each tool as we progress through the weeks, I'd like to introduce you to my brave new world of team teaching using a Team Based Learning delivery system. A large component of the capstone course project involves students using a team structured wiki. The students are still struggling with the wiki, since it is a new tool for them. I am interested in seeing their progress in using the technology to accomplish a major team task.

I admittedly am struggling with team teaching (I have 2 great co-facilitators from NBCC) since the course is one I developed 7 years ago, so it is like 'my baby'. Letting go, and learning to teach with and learn from my co-facilitators was/is more difficult than I anticipated. Perhaps deep down under a big wrap there is a control freak lurking somewhere in me.