Mary IrwinMAIT Capstone ~ May

2010

Critically Studying Information (CSI) Boot Camp: Evaluating

Web Pages

Take a

closer look!

Gap iSkills Assessment: Students NOT proficient in critically evaluating information & its sources.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~Campus interviews: • Heavy reliance on Internet as info source.• No systematic process, strategy, or technique used to assess the validity of information.

Proposal

asynchronous module

• scenario- based• authentic: learners access live web sites

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• apply specific criteria using investigative tool: job aid

Learning Theory Situated

Cognition: Acquired knowledge is “a product of the activity, context, and culture in which it is developed and used.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (Brown, Collins, & Duguid)

What is learned is presented in how it’s learned & applied.

Intervention One-hour

asynchronous module with CSI-investigative theme ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~• authentic, scenario- based activities• hyperlinks to external web sites, video, feedback, assessment• investigative tool: job aid

Sampl

e

Scree

n

Evaluation Formative: Feedback Survey

• Design• Appearance• Specific Reactions: - liked most/provided most value - liked least/provided least value - suggestions for improvement

Summative: Final Assessment

10 multiple-choice questions• Required application of learned concepts to answer question

Results Survey: 64% cited gaining specific knowledge; strategies to evaluate web page information. • 91% provided favorable feedback• 9% provided suggestions: speed-up animations; less text on screen

Assessment: average score 80% correct

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lessons Learned • Collectively digital

natives do not use a process to critically evaluate info. • Embed feedback survey in module rather than email invitation.• Utilize subjective survey to capture learned concepts & isolate areas of difficulty.

“Always walk through life as if

you have something to learn and you

will.”

~ Vernon Howard

Special Thanks…

Dr. Amy Ackerman for her guidance and support during this project.

My colleagues:• Jennifer Babcock• Cathy Moore• Eileen Anaya• Pete Dolcy