Online+Discussions

=__**Online Journal**__=

As part of the course requirement, you will be required to post to this Online Journal page on a weekly basis. The discussion questions are as follows, with the rubric at the end of the page.

Reply to one question per week, with the original post on Sunday, and comment throughout the week on at least one other colleagues' post. You will be using the Discussion Page in this Wiki to post your comments. Simply click on the Discussion Tab!


 * ONLINE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: **

Assuming this is your first experience with an online course, what are your initial thoughts? Are you apprehensive or anxious to tackle this? Do you feel it will be an effective method of learning?
 * __ Week 1: __**

If this is not your first online course, how would you describe your previous experience(s)? List some advantages and disadvantages of your online course.

**__Week 2:__** What is your initial understanding of PBL? How would you define it and do you believe you have ever used it in your classroom? If you have applied PBL in your classroom, site an example of the lesson and discuss the successes or failures of the experience.

**__Week 3:__** After reviewing the 21st Century Skills which require critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and various forms of communication, what are your thoughts as to how to help students use higher-order thinking skills. Can PBL be more effective than traditional instruction for long-term retention, skill development and satisfaction of students and teachers?

**__Week 4:__** What are your thoughts regarding the perception that, “at its best, PBL can be the catalyst for an engaging learning experience and create a context for a powerful learning community focused on achievement, self-mastery, and contribution to the community. At its worst, it can be a colossal waste of time for all concerned.” []

Which theory do you tend to agree with more?

**__Week 5:__** After reviewing the project-based evaluation method as identified by [], do you find this will be an effective, as well as feasible, method for you to use? Did you find it to be too time-consuming or was it worth the effort? Do you feel you could use the results to evaluate your students’ progress?

**__Week 6:__** Now that you’ve completed your course, choose one part of the unit that went well for you and one part that you would do differently.

** Rubric for Online Journal **

** Points ** || Contributions to discussion are substantive and demonstrate critical thinking. Information reveals thorough understanding of the topic as evidenced by relevant, original, and thoughtful posts, responses, and questions. || /2 || The learner provides meaningful feedback on other’s ideas. Comments include how the idea could be enhanced or how the idea might be applied to a different content area/grade level. Where appropriate, comments offer explanations and personal examples and/or help clarify concepts for classmates. Initial post is submitted in a timely manner to encourage discussion among classmates. Comments to other posts **did not just repeat or agree with what has already been said.** || /2 || A minimum of one response to initial question and two sub-threads are posted. Active and timely participation is evident. || /2 || Tone of comments is courteous and respectful. Both professional vocabulary and writing style are used consistently throughout the discussion. || /2 || Posts use complete sentences and are well organized, grammatically correct, and free of spelling errors. || /2 ||
 * ** Possible Points ** || ** Criteria ** || ** Earned **
 * ** 2 ** || ** Quality of Information **
 * ** 2 ** || ** Interaction/Feedback to other comments **
 * ** 2 ** || ** Participation **
 * ** 2 ** || ** Delivery **
 * ** 2 ** || ** Language Arts (Grammar, punctuation) **
 * ** Total Points ** || /10 ||
 * Additional Comments: **