Site: MIT OPEN COURSE WARE Course: Technologies for Creative Learning Evaluation by: David Buckman/Artevia Murphy

Summary: The course we chose to evaluate was Technologies for Creative Learning offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys open courseware site. This course is designed to assist students in gaining knowledge of innovative technologies and using technology as a means of creating unique learning environments. When evaluating the course, we identified both positive and negative aspects, which may affect the outcome of student performance. The course identifies assignments, implementation, and methods of distribution in a clear, concrete manner. The assignments are accessible and delivered comprehensibly. The instructor also provides examples of completed assignment for students to use as a reference. When reviewing resources for the class, we found the links to books stores extremely helpful for students interested in purchasing text. The instructor also provides a wide array of material to supplement learning such as textbooks, online sites, and YouTube. In efforts to support a learner centred atmosphere, the instructor offers students an opportunity to interact with other students through the use of blogging. Overall, the set up and details implanted within the assignments presented in the on-line course represent the instructors expectations for students. The negative aspects associated with this course begin with the lack of clear learning objectives. Learning objectives can be assumed by interpreting each assignments meaning and goals; however, the instructor does not provide them in the course or assignment descriptions. The method of preferred communication is not identified; therefore, student-to-student and studentto-instructor communication may be lost. When reviewing assessments, the instructor makes an effort to provide students with examples of adequate assignments; yet, he fails to offer rubrics or provide the method in which assignments will be evaluated. Finally, we agree the course fails to provide how to contact institutional support services, and we feel the course could have offered more technology. Below we have identified the categories used to assess the course and all of its strengths and weaknesses.

COURSE OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION Strengths Identifies what technology components will be learned in the class Clearly identifies all assignments and needs for the task Identifies teacher expectations of the student Offers examples of assignments Clearly states the prerequisite requirements for the course Identifies protocol or methods for submitting assignments clearly (Scratch Gallery) Offers printable version of all course materials Identifies the use of blogging as a way of student-to-student interaction

Weaknesses Does not offer methods of communication or a LMS (Learning Management System) Instructor communication is not identified in syllabus

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Strengths N/A

Weaknesses Learning Objectives are not clearly stated in the syllabus Does not identify how to meet learning objectives Learning objectives are not clearly identified with assignments

ASSESSMENTS AND MEASUREMENT Strengths All assessments are identified in the course Descriptions of each assignment is provided Examples of assignments are offered Offers grading breakdown and percentages Provides a variety of assessment

Weaknesses Rubrics are not offered for assignments and major projects Does not identify grading instruments

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL Strengths All instructional materials are identified in the course Offers links to direct students to Amazon for text purchasing Instructional materials are used in the implementation of each assignment Uses a variety of instructional material formats: (i.e., Textbooks, On-line Sites, YouTube, etc) All resources are appropriately cited Offers optional instructional material to increase student learning The instructional material covers a wide array of content

Weaknesses Not all of the instructional materials are current Requires the purchasing of a large number of books for readings, instead of free PDF formats provided by the instructor.

LEARNER INTERACTION AND ENGAGEMENT Strengths Activities offer students opportunities to interact with classmates Instructor offers clear deadlines for student interaction and responses to assignments Instructor offers on-line tools to assist in student-to-student interaction (i.e., Scratch website, blogs, and discussion boards) Multiple forms of activities are used to increase student engagement (i.e., creating stories and interest based galleries)

Weaknesses Does not offer any group projects to increase student-to-student learning

COURSE NAVIGATION AND TECHNOLOGY Strengths The navigation of the site is made easy to access. Technology, such as the class blog, support student engagement. These tools will help guide the student to become an active learner.

Weaknesses More technology could have been incorporated in the course. No usage of video or audio in this course.

LEARNER SUPPORT Strengths N/A

Weaknesses

The course does not show where students can go to for institutional support services.

ACCESSIBILITY Strengths The course does provide guidance on the few accessible technologies provided. Information on the site facilitates readability with no distractions. Content is organized effectively and offers the use of titling to promote clarity.

COURSE ADMINISTRATION Strengths The course administration is reasonable for the students. The amount of time students spend on course assignments is manageable for those that may be working.

Weaknesses I recommend changing the deadlines of the assignments from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. to ensure students with professional responsibilities have an opportunity to complete their coursework.

COURSE 2 Site (e.g., MIT, Yale, etc.): MIT Course Title: Introduction to Education: Looking Forward and Looking Back on Education Course URL: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/urban-studies-and-planning/11-124-introduction-toeducation-looking-forward-and-looking-back-on-education-fall-2011/index.htm Evaluation by: Abigail Magaro and Katelyn Brissey Summary: The course that we evaluated was Introduction to Education: Looking Forward and Looking Back on Education by Massachusetts Institute of Technologys online open course ware website. The course is an introduction to education in a variety of settings with the inclusion of technology and online learning.

As we evaluated this course we discovered multiple strengths and weaknesses of the course. The website design is easy to follow and navigate. The menu on the left side makes is easy for users to find the information they are looking for. The learning goals and assessment strategies are clearly stated. The course is broken up into units and within those units; the materials and assignments are clearly visible. Throughout the course students participate in multiple forms of interaction by holding online discussions and narrated presentations. Overall, the course provides the adequate amount of information required for students to complete the necessary assignments and meet the learning goals set forth by the instructor. Some of the negative features seemed to be related to too much content. For each task there seemed to be 6-7 different readings or videos. It was not made clear if they were required or not. There also was only one clear rubric out of all of the projects that were given. The objectives were also not clearly stated. There were topics, but nothing to get a sense of an overall goal for each week. Course Overview and Introduction: The overall design is easy to follow and the menu makes it easy to find what you need. Strengths Description of the course is found on the main screen. Course is cited on the main screen. Menu on the left makes it easy to navigate through the different areas of the course. Syllabus is posted and highlights all assignments that will be done in class. Course texts are posted with links to buy them on Amazon. Rationale is included in the introduction. No prerequisites are required, and this is clearly stated. Activities and their descriptions are in the introduction. Calendar is provided with due dates and with questions to prompt each week's activities.

Weaknesses N/A Learning Objectives: This course does not have anything titled learning objectives, but does have a list of "teaching topics." Strengths The topics relate to the assignments given. Youtube videos are posted to reinforce the different topics. In the syllabus, there are three bullet points that state what STEP teachers at MIT should be able to accomplish when they finish their time in college. The calendar lists the topics for each week.

The topics seem appropriate for this course.

Weaknesses N/A Assessment and Measurement: Assessment strategies follow the learning theory of constructivism and seem to be appropriate for an education class. Strengths There are two types of assignments: ongoing and major. Ongoing assignments include online discussion of current events, presentations of specific chapter readings through a wiki, and documented hours of classroom observation. This seems to be combination of constructivism and connectivism. The major projects include various ways for students to play the role of a teacher and help them learn how assess projects. Work based learning is a key type of assessment in this course. Students are required to create math games to reinforce the learner's knowledge. A separate rubric is posted for this assessment. A portfolio is also required at the end of the course to highlight everything the learner has gained from his or her experience.

Weaknesses N/A Instructional Materials: Seem current and are broken up in a week-by-week process. Strengths Most instructional materials appear to be videos and online sites for discussions. The readings either are materials that have to be purchased or they're articles that can be accessed online. The materials seem to give a variety of perspectives.

Weaknesses There is a description of the instructional materials, but the reasons for using them are not clearly stated. It is not clear which materials are required or not required. Only some materials are easy to access. Only some reading materials are appropriately cited. Learner Interaction and Engagement: There are many forms of interaction and engagement in this class.

Strengths The activities match the learning topics. Online discussions are a big part of the class. Student to student learning seems to be important. Requirements for interaction in group projects or discussions are clearly stated. Faculty to student interaction is present through individual assignments and professor feedback. Students have access to many different forms of media to get the information (articles, books, video, etc). Students work together in real world situations to solve problems. Students work with the community through their observation time at the school.

Weaknesses N/A Course Navigation and Technology: Strengths The course site is very easy to navigate. Students partake in activities that require them to lead online discussions using Moodle Forums. The students must also participate in blog entries. All technology used for this course is current and up to date.

Weaknesses More technology can be incorporated into the lessons. While holding online discussions in Moodle are beneficial, practice in making online lessons with voice thread, powerpoint, and any other program would help the students with their online teaching experiences.

Learner Support: Strengths N/A

Weaknesses The course does not list any technical support services or office hours of the professors. There is also no information on the institutions policy with technical support.

Accessibility: Strengths The assignments are varied between presentations, writings, and projects. To me this adheres to UDL in the sense that multiple forms of assessment are being used so differentiated instruction is taking place.

Weaknesses The course does not provide any information on accommodations, alternatives for hearing or visually impaired. No information on assistive technologies is given.

Course Administration: Strengths The course is designed using units. While some weeks have 1 assignment due, others have 3 assignments due that week.

Weaknesses For this class, I would spend a lot of time each week working on the in class assignments as well as the projects that are due each week. This includes blog entries, observations, reflections, posters, presentations, etc.