Edci335 Blog#1

Assessment Strategies Used:

Formative Assessment:

• Blog Posts: Students are required to write multiple blog posts throughout the course (e.g., Blog Post #1: Learning, Motivation, and Theory/Assessment; Blog Post #2: Learning Design). This ongoing task allows for continuous reflection and feedback, which aligns with formative assessment principles.
• Peer Reviews: The course includes a peer review of the Interactive Learning Resource draft. Peer assessment is a powerful formative strategy, encouraging students to engage critically with each other’s work and learn from their peers.

Summative Assessment:

• Learning Design Blueprint: This is a significant submission due in Week 3 that likely carries considerable weight in the overall course grading.
• Final Interactive Learning Resource: The final version of this resource, due in Week 6, serves as a comprehensive summative assessment of students’ ability to apply the principles and strategies learned throughout the course.

Authentic Assessment:

• Interactive Learning Resource: Developing an interactive learning environment is an authentic task that simulates real-world applications of learning design principles, aligning with the strategy of using tasks that mirror professional practice.

Reflective Assessment:

• Blog Posts and Reflective Exercises: These tasks encourage students to reflect on their learning experiences, connect theory to practice, and engage in metacognitive activities.

Assessment Strategies Not Used:

1. Service Learning:
   • The course does not include a component where students engage in community-based projects or service learning, which is a notable authentic assessment strategy mentioned in the readings.
2. Portfolios:
   • While students develop an Interactive Learning Resource, there is no mention of compiling a comprehensive portfolio of their work over the course. A portfolio could provide a broader picture of their learning journey.
3. Exams or Quizzes:
   • The course outline does not indicate the use of traditional exams or quizzes as part of the assessment strategy.

Connection to Learning Theories:

1. Constructivism:
   • The emphasis on blog posts, reflective exercises, and the development of an interactive learning resource aligns with constructivist theories. These activities require students to construct their own understanding and knowledge through active engagement and reflection.
2. Social Constructivism:
   • The peer review process and collaborative nature of some tasks reflect social constructivist principles, highlighting the importance of interaction and collaboration in the learning process.
3. Behaviorism:
   • The course appears to have minimal reliance on behaviorist strategies, such as traditional exams or quizzes that reinforce learning through repetition and reinforcement.

Comparison to Other Courses:

Similarities:

• Reflective and Formative Assessments: Many courses incorporate reflective assignments and formative assessments, similar to the blog posts and peer reviews in EDCI335. This approach is consistent with promoting deeper learning and continuous improvement.

Differences:

• Authentic Assessment Focus: places a strong emphasis on authentic assessment through the creation of an Interactive Learning Resource, which is less common in traditional lecture-based courses that might rely more heavily on exams and quizzes.
• Absence of Traditional Exams: Unlike many other courses that use midterms and finals, this course does not include traditional exams, reflecting a shift towards more practical, real-world assessments.

Specific Examples and Theories:

• Use of Blog Posts and Peer Reviews:
  • Example: In Week 2, students write a blog post about learning theories and assessment, then receive feedback.
  • Theory Connection: This strategy aligns with constructivist theories by encouraging students to actively engage with and reflect on course content. It also incorporates social constructivist elements by including peer feedback.
• Interactive Learning Resource Development:
  • Example: Students design and develop an interactive learning environment as their final project.
  • Theory Connection: This task is grounded in authentic assessment principles and connects to constructivist theories by requiring students to apply their knowledge in a practical, meaningful way.

Here is the comment link for the BLOG#1 from Kale.

EDCI335 Blog Post #1