Using Discussions to Build Student Knowledge | Teaching and Learning Showcase at EMS

Example details from the Mapping with GIS class

GEOG 482: Mapping with GIS does not have lectures or content pages like many online courses. This course works with a constructivist approach developed by Eleanor Duckworth and called Critical Exploration. Critical Exploration calls for students to solve real-world problems using their own ideas instead of instructor-provided content. The instructor queries and encourages student thinking and provides scaffolding but does not give students direct answers through lecturing. In this example, Canvas Discussions are used so that students may respond to the case study. The instructor and teaching assistants query and encourage the students and intercede if any students provide inaccurate or inappropriate information, and they are also available to answer student questions as they arise. For each module, the instructor records a video case study of a real-world problem using PowerPoint, gives students a few solid resources to assist with solving the case study, and then asks students to find additional resources to build knowledge about the topic before creating a post about it in the discussion. Students must also read and post a substantive response to at least two peers' posts. This example also deploys the social learning aspects of Social Constructivism theory, which posits that knowledge creation is a social endeavor. If the class is large, students may be divided into groups to make the discussion more manageable for students and the grading more practical for instructors.

Overall discussion assignment details

Discussions are where you share findings of your independent research about the objectives established for the lesson and where you learn with your fellow students.

That's right - this course requires you to find, evaluate, and effectively communicate knowledge you discover yourself on the web, or in the library, or from your own experience. For the most part, we don't require any particular books, websites, or other sources. Why? Because today's employers stress that one of the most valuable skills they look for is the ability to discover, evaluate, and effectively communicate information needed for a particular task. That's what knowledge workers do. Another desirable workplace skill is the ability to learn with and from others. If you don't already have these skills, you probably will by the end of this course.

Following this introduction, you'll find three discussions about topics outlined in the educational objectives established for the lesson. To earn the highest possible score, investigate one topic per discussion, post a high-quality contribution to the discussion, and study your classmates' contributions.

A "high quality" contribution is a post that meets the following criteria:

Correct and relevant. The post addresses one or more questions posed in the discussion assignment. It provides accurate information that advances the class's understanding of the topic.
Distinct. The post is substantively different from others. It adds new sources, facts, and perspectives to the discussion. If your chosen topic has already been discussed, find a different source or sources. Acknowledge classmates' similar posts (by name), and compare what your source(s) has to say.
Uses Authoritative and trustworthy sources. Questions about the accuracy or timeliness of the source, if any, should be disclosed. Circumstances of posts based on personal experience are explained.
Properly paraphrased. Sources are paraphrased in students' own words. Quotations are limited to a small portion of the post.
Properly cited. Online, open-access sources are linked directly from the post. Other (offline) sources are cited in accordance with the Academic Integrity Guide presented in the Introduction to this course. If copyrighted graphics are included, the copyright is acknowledged, and educational Fair Use is properly claimed.
Appropriate length. Posts should be about 250 words - concise enough to read without scrolling, but long enough to demonstrate your understanding of the topic.

Our team will provide individual attention to your posts, using a rubric that's based on the criteria I just explained.

If you're not confident in your ability to find quality sources, you may wish to review Google's Search Help and the Penn State Libraries LionSearch guide.

That's it! We hope you enjoy this active learning approach. I know we'll enjoy learning with you, from you, and helping you along the way.

Individual Datums Discussion Assignment Instructions

Following this introduction, you'll find three discussions related to the educational objectives established for this lesson. Like the preceding lesson, your participation score depends on how many discussions you contribute to, and on the quality of your contributions. To earn the highest possible participation score, post one high-quality response to one discussion question or topic per discussion. Fewer and/or lower-quality contributions earn lower scores.

Our team will provide individual attention to each of your posts.

Assignment

Begin by watching the YouTube video "What's Next for Geodetic Datums?" Use the National Geodetic Survey's datasheets to find vertical and horizontal control points in your area. Look into datums in other parts of the world, such as China's GJC-02 datum.

Now, investigate and report on one of the following topics and questions. Plan to spend one to two hours reading classmates' posts, discovering and assessing sources, and drafting and refining your contribution.

What is a horizontal datum?
What is the current horizontal datum commonly used in the U.S., and how does it differ from its earlier version?
What is a vertical datum?
What is the current U.S. vertical datum (or its counterpart where you live)?
Describe (that is, paraphrase an authoritative description of) a current horizontal and vertical datum, and explain its intended purpose.
Discuss the U.S. National Geodetic Survey’s plans to replace the current horizontal and vertical datums in 2022.
Discuss the implications of the coming changes in horizontal and vertical datums for surveying and mapping.