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July 21, 2006
On-Line Course -- Key questions
Categories: Classes
I spent considerable time yesterday experimenting with WebCT. It certainly has the capabilities to provide me with the space for communication. It has a messageboard feature that is highly cusomizable. There is a chat feature as well which I plan to use for Virtual Office Hours. There are plenty of methods for grouping and delivering content -- more than enough to accomplish the student generated content approach I'm attempting. There are even methods for assessment; I can construct tests and quizzes and have the students complete them online. I doubt I will be using that feature in a graduate course, but it's nice that it's there.
So, goal #3 is easily accomplished by WebCT. As I get more practice with the program, I'll be able to use it to do more stuff. Now I am trying to figure out the relationship between goals 1 & 2 (list of resources and guiding questions). Slowly but surely, I have been compiling a list of websites and other print materials which can be used by my students to construct their own knowledge. I was then going to give them four or five guiding questions or assignments. They would use those resources as well as others to complete those assignments, then they would comment on each other's assignments. This would allow them to learn from each other, be assessed by each other, and hopefully create an on-line classroom community.
I was grouping the questions according to the disciplines involved in the Schooling in American Society course. These disciplines -- history, philosophy, law, and sociology -- are the foundations disciplines. They are also part of the conceptual framework of the Riley College of Education and are part of the course description in the catalog. So far, here is what I've got:
History: Find and research two historical events/people/movements/practices that you regard as vital to the development of public education in the United States. For each of those things, post a 3-4 paragraph description that gives the important aspects of the event/person/movement/practice, why that thing is vital to the development of American education, and why you chose that thing out of all the possible things you could have chosen. Be sure to also cite any references you consulted in developing your post.
Philosophy: Two parts. 1. Epistemology: What does it mean to know something? Why is this question important for educators to consider? What are some ways knowledge is treated in schools? How is knolwedge asssessed? What does that say about the type of knolwedge that is valued? What is you opinion of all this? Answer these questions in a post of 3-4 paragraphs.
2. Ethics: What are the core ethical principles or obligations an educator should follow? In a post of 2-3 paragraphs, give at least one of these core principles or obligations, your interpretation of that principle or obligation, why you think it's important, an example of an educational situation where the principle or obligation is tested, and your solution to that dilemma.
Sociology: What role do schools play, if any, in the construction and maintenance of the U.S. social system? You should consider both positive and negative aspects of our social system in your post. (What are the positive and negative aspects, you ask? Well, you tell us! Which aspects of our social and educational system are postive and which are negative?). You should also consider the sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflcit theory/Marxism, and interpretivism. Remember to include references
Law: Find and research one legal case and/or concept that is relevant to educators, children, or parents. Post a 3-4 paragraph description of the case or concept. Be sure to include why you think it is relevant, the impact you feel it has on educators, and whether or not you agree with how the case or concept has been interpreted. (An example of a case would be Swann v. Mecklenburg, a Supreme Court decision. An example of a concept would be freedom of speech or due process). Remember to include references.
Final Exam: Having read, posted, and discussed all this, you will hopefully have seen how all these areas and questions overlap. You are now ready for the final question: What is the purpose of American education? What ought to be the purpose of American education? Is there a difference between the is and the ought? Why? What can be done to eliminate that difference?
Posted by Nakia at July 21, 2006 08:58 AM