You may also view the original post with my classmates’ comments on the ED 653 Course Website.
“Use web-based tools to design a learning activity. Review your strategy map to locate an appropriate activity. Remember that students benefit more from active learning experiences (something they do or create) than from passive activities (something they view or listen to). Be creative in designing your learning activity! Write clear instructions to support students in completing the activity. Will the activity be graded? If so, include grading criteria.”
My unit did not have any activity that would naturally lend itself to the use of any web tool. Rather than create a lecture piece using a web tool that the students would view (passive), I elected to step outside the unit and select an activity from a previous unit that I ask them to reference within the present unit.
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Assignment 2: Brainstorm of Terms
Assignment Instructions:
Create a mind map of terms related to your topic. You may elect to brainstorm terms first then map them out, or you may use the map structure to help you brainstorm terms. Be sure to include both broad and narrow (more specific) terms, synonyms, and variations of words. Carefully consider whether phrases should be broken apart into single word terms or kept as a phrase. Remember that each term or phrase should represent a single concept.
You will need to use a web-based mind-mapping tool for this assignment. I recommend using either Bubble.us or Mindmeister.com but you are welcome to use another tool if you prefer. Both of the recommended tools have rather intuitive design features and offer tutorials if needed.
You may view a sample mind map I made below. This is just one way to organize your mind map so feel free to organize yours however you wish. I elected to color my word variations in pink, my broader terms in blue, and my narrower terms in green. Your map may not be quite this extensive in your first draft. Grab a thesaurus and to the best you can.
When you post your map, include a brief explanation of how you chose to organize it. Remember to look through your classmates’ mind maps in the coming week to provide feedback and suggestions for terms.
Submission Instructions:
Post your mind map and accompanying description to the discussion board labeled “mind maps.” Due Sunday, January 27, at 11:59 pm local time.
Scoring:
This first draft of your mind map will not be graded. After receiving feedback from the instructor and your classmates, you will have the opportunity to revise it before submitting your final draft for grading. Your mind map final draft will be worth 5 points. You will be graded using the following rubric:
| 0 Points | 1 Point | 2 Points | ||
| Range of Terms | Terms on the map are all of virtually the same level of specificity. | Terms encompass a limited range. | Map includes a variety of terms that range from broad to specific. | |
| Synonyms & Variations | Map entirely lacks either synonyms or word variations. | Map presents too few synonyms or word variations. | Map presents a comprehensive array of both synonyms and word variations. | |
| 0 Points | 1 Point | |||
| Organization and Clarity | Map is difficult to follow or understand, or mind map lacks an accompanying description. | Map is well organized and easy to understand; accompanying description helps viewer understand the organization of the map. | ||
