-- Katie Sheehan (talk) 16:47, 27 April 2015 (EDT)

Hi Kim,

The course looks very well developed! I really enjoyed how you talked about problem solving as an essential skill in math and then had the students discuss their thoughts on the matter. There were two things I was considering as I analyzed your mini course. One was where the discussion happens, perhaps inform students at the beginning of the unit and/or course that they will need a gmail account in order to discuss with peers. The other thing was including an article that touches upon problem solving in mathematics. Overall, I thought your unit was great!

Katie

-- Bobbi Scirbona (talk) 01:43, 3 May 2015 (EDT)

Bobbi Scirbona

Hi Kimberly,

I think you are off to a good start with your mini-course. I think you have some excellent activities planned (as discussed on your portfolio page) In particular, I like the idea of including peer assessment of lesson plans. Below is my evaluation based on the rubric provided.

1. Learning Objectives - (8/10) I think your course objectives clearly express the overall goals for the participants. The unit level objectives seem very similar, and you may want to include a performance component.

2. Content-goal consistency - (8/10) Your mini lecture component is informative, but you may want to have participants look at some outside resources to build on the learning experience. It is unclear of participants should be doing outside reading, perhaps from your resources list.

3. Instructional Sequencing - difficult to evaluate definitively at this stage, but it looks as though you have developed a logical sequence for instruction as described in your mini-course welcome statement.

4. Engagement and Interaction - (8/10) Good prompts for discussion topics. You may want to consider including some specifics for discussion requirements that include number of posts, length, etc.

5. Technical Quality - (9/10) Links provide easy navigation. You may want to add a link to navigate from the lesson page back to the mini-course home page. Pictures would enhance the lesson pages.

6. Extended resources - Consider adding an optional reading/resource list as you continue to develop your mini-course.

-- Melissa Connor (talk) 15:09, 3 May 2015 (EDT)

Your mini-course (or case study report) (80%)

Learning outcomes (8/10): I think you need to revamp your unit objective using more performance based terms. I also think you should have the same objectives on your portfolio page- the wording was a little different.

Content-goal consistency (8/10): For the first unit, I think the mini-lecture area should site some recent research related to the unit-level objectives.

Instructional sequencing (8/10): I am also curious to see where you go with the next unit because it seems closely related to the first unit. I am not sure how you will differentiate between "the benefits" and "the importance" of problem solving skills.

Engagement and interaction (8/10): It is hard to assess at this point of the design process. I think you are off to a pretty good start. I think the questions to be discussed for the google discussion should be clearly stated.

Technical quality (7.5/10): Add pictures and links as shortcuts to move through the course easier.

Extended resources (?/10): TBD- difficult to determine at this point but this can be done as you complete the development.

Overall, good start.

Instructor comments on your mini-course -- Jz833665 (talk) 11:47, 4 May 2015 (EDT)

Hi Kimberly,

You've drafted the whole course structure/overview and unit 1 in a solid way. Two possible areas you can improve: (a) engaging the participants: your course addresses the important need of teachers to understand the nature of problem solving in relation to the real world, and the need to help students develop specific skills for problem solving. You may engage the participants' interest by beginning with a classroom case/scenario showing students have certain troubles to solve problems, esp. authentic problem. In the end/or during your units, you may revisit this case based on the content learned, to come up with plans to better help students in problem solving.

(b) Considering making your content more engaging and accessible by providing/analyzing examples and using media such as images.