Sample Resource Sharing Blog Assignment

Note - A central course blog via the Learning Objects Campus Pack in Blackboard was used for this assignment. All students had author and commenting access to the this central course blog. The entire syllabus containing this sample assignment is available here.

Resource Sharing - 25% (8 assignments, each worth 10 points)
During each module students will search for, summarize, and share an online resource with others in the class. Students should approach this assignment with the objective of helping themselves and others learn more about the module topic. The following steps should be followed to accomplish this task:
  1. Students will read assigned textbook readings and then search for an online article or other online resource that supports and/or contrasts the assigned reading. Students should use the SPU Library Database to begin their search for a related article: http://www.spu.edu/depts/library/databases They can also employ a search strategy such as the one listed at http://www.internettutorials.net/checklist.html to find related articles on publicly-available websites.
  2. Once a resource of interest has been located, students will use Microsoft Word to write one or two paragraphs about the article summarizing how it relates to the module topic. A direct link to the article should be at the top of the document. To make a direct link to a web site the URL can be copied and pasted from the article's web page.
  3. Students will make a new post to the Course Blog by clicking "New Entry." They will enter the resource title for the Blog Entry Title and then copy the contents of their summary and paste it in the body of the new posting and click the "Save" button. Postings should be made by the deadline listed in the Schedule document posted in the Course Info area.
  4. Depending on where students find their articles they may run into two possible issues when posting them in Blackboard. First, articles found in the SPU online journal databases can be shared using the Directions for posting a link to an online database article document from Jenifer Phelan (SPU Library for Education) which is located in the Course Info folder. The steps outlined are the same for posting to the Course Blog. The links can’t be shared directly because students have to log into the Library databases before reading articles. A second issue can occur when the URL from a public website contains special characters that aren’t recognized as part of the address when the summary text is copied to Blackboard. To avoid this issue, students can use a small bit of HTML code to create a web link that will work in the Blackboard Course Blog. Here is a demonstration of how this work using the link mentioned in step a.

    Search Checklist
    When this is placed in the HTML sourse of a Blackboard Course Blogpost students will only see Search Checklist. However, when they click on the link they will be taken to the site listed in the code.
  5. Once summaries have been posted to the Course Blog students should scan summaries posted by other students, reading articles of interest with the goal of constructing knowledge about the module topic.

    It is highly recommended that students subscribe to the course blog using an RSS reader such as Google Reader for ease of access to the content of the Course Blog from outside of Blackboard. To learn more about what RSS is and how to subscribe using an RSS reader like Google Reader, watch these short video clips:


    Tips: Right click a link that you want to review and choose to open the link in a new window. This will allow you to look at the article in a new window, close it when finished, and then you will be right back in the discussion board. Also, once you enter a discussion board forum and see a list of threads created by your peers, click the Select All options and then click the Collect button. This will allow you to review all threads without having to click on individual links.

  6. Students can respond to other students' posts by posting comments to the corresponding Course Blog posting. To do so, simply click the "Comments" link near the bottom of the posting to read any previously submitted comments as well as post a new one.
  7. After posting a summary, students will self-assess their contribution by taking an online assessment posted in the specific module folder within Modules. The assessment uses the following rubric:

    Criterion
    Yes
    No
    The resource specifically addressed the module topic(s)
    2
    0
    The resource provided additional information that extends or contrasts ideas presented in the module's readings
    2
    0
    I provided a concise summary of my article that would help others decide if they should read it
    2
    0
    I provided a working link to my article on the Course Blog and tested it so that others could go directly to the article if they decided to read it
    2
    0
    I posted my summary to the Course Blog by the specified deadline
    2
    0
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