Final+Project

=Final Project Discussions=

Emily Alexis Eric
 * Peggy **


 * Nov. 30th**

Hi guys - hope your papers are going well....do any of you happen to know if we need to submit something for our participation in this course? I notice that there is a participation submission under the Assignments tab due December 4th - does that mean that we have to submit something?
 * I'm very weary of my final project & hoping I can finish today except for a final check of going over references. And since I accidentally submitted my outline in the final paper dropbox, i no longer have a place to actually put my paper - I'd better check on that with Matiul. I've also noticed the participation box which is odd - never seen that before. I can ask Matiul when I ask about where I can put my final paper.

**Nov, 19**

 * I realize this is petty and all, but did'ja notice that OUR discussion group questions and stuff has generated MORE discussions than any of the other groups!? We are so awesome. :) Yes I'm still very happy about ours went - often hard to be first (feeling rushed, missing out on great ideas that others later thought of, etc.) but i'm still very glad we're done. I've noticed chats haven't factored into many other DLG weeks; I did attend one, but there weren't a lot of other classmates that logged in. It's been great to have the time to work on the final paper - how is everyone doing with that? Mine is going OK - found enough papers, now just down to putting things together & down on paper.
 * Yeah, I've found and read a bunch of articles, but they all seem to be saying the same thing... I'm not sure how I'll be able to stretch it out for 3000 words...

**Halloween**

 * The outline is due today isn't it? How are we supposed to turn it in?
 * I went to the Assignments tab and just submitted it that way. It was working yesterday... Thanks. Didn't know if that was only for the final project itself, but took your advice. Didn't want a repeat of my last submission.

**Sat & Sun**

 * Looks like some neat links for Problem Based Learning here - []
 * I've posted the assignment at the bottom of the page - 1 version of it.
 * I didn't make good use of my week off in terms of working on this class! But hopefully the break will rejuvinate me. I have not made much progress thinking about my final project - I don't think our outline do tomorrow really counts for the final project mark? I'm sure how my paper ends up isn't going to be a real close match to the outline I hand in!
 * Amen! It was such an enjoyable week - no reading, no thinking... I miss it already!
 * I'm trying to get my outline done. I'm sure it won't match my actual final draft in the slightest. How am I supposed to fit all five (nine really) points onto one page!?
 * (Nevermind. I made it fit. Though by the end I was giving cryptic little bits of information.)


 * Friday Oct 28 **
 * If I come across any stuff on SmartBoards, I'll pass it along your way, Eric (although I have to admit, I love my SmartBoard, so I have a different viewpoint than you :) Peggy - what is your topic on?
 * funny enough, I did well on my ET paper too, and Matiul also suggested I continue with my topic (using cell phones, the whole concept of mobile learning in the classroom...) I also thought about doing something else, but I guess it is easier to continue with what I have already started...
 * my apologies - I probably won't get to summarizing our wrap-up for our group project until my proposal is finished
 * I had vaguely thought of something else, but Matiul thought my ET paper was OK and suggested continuing with that thought for my final paper, so I will likely do that, but may try to also move it into a discussion of "flipping the classroom" if I can make the transition. I thought I'd have a lot done already on it, but haven't done a thing since handing in the ET paper. But now our teachers' convention (that I help with) & a conference are done with, and most happily we already have our project done!! so there will be more time to work on it. How about you guys? And how did your ET paper go?
 * I did well on my first paper. I guess I'll keep going with that thought - SmartBoards - but I'm not sure what it is that I'm supposed to do. Just review a couple 'a articles and regurgitate them? I don't really understand the instructions. Seems to be par for the course, mind you...
 * Send me your email address, and everyone else (send to peglaws@hotmail.com) . I think it's time we closed this board to the public. If I have your email addresses I can restrict access to us I think. More freedom of expression then.

SMART Board Thoughts for Eric:

 * I have to go over the instructions again this weekend, but I think it's a regular type of formal paper. Knowing your thoughts about the boards (similar to mine), maybe you want to look for reseach both for & against them. I'll post any good stuff I come across for you.
 * " Technology has the hope of reversing this trend. Instead of seeing many wonderful ways to use technology to promote thinking, I see interactive white boards and lots of memorization and visualization aids. The former tend to retain the teacher-centric model of classrooms. The latter are not much better than the 20th century film loops and tests that are mere drills. Admittedly, they’re glitzier." - []
 * Found this for you Eric - []

Peggy's Topic

 * Google (but in terms of loss of deep thinking abilities due to too much, too fast, etc. Not really a Google thing. Proust & the Squid type of thing - which I've never read).

The Assignment

 * Option 1 - Scholarly Essay (40%)**
 * Choose a topic that corresponds with one of the weekly topics (i.e., foundations) or themes and write a scholarly paper exploring media and technology in education (i.e., apps, artifacts, devices, problems, processes, trends, etc.). The essay should provide a clear, cogent, concise exploration or case study of the topic (e.g., topics within or about e-learning, educational technology, learning technologies, ICT, new media, instructional design, curriculum design, etc.). Take a position (state a thesis or argument) and provide evidence, through examples and narrative, to support the position. Be creative and choose a topic that really interests you!


 * At the 2/3-point of the course (Monday following the break), please also submit a *one page outline* of your paper as a work in progress. Outline = outline form. This includes the:**
 * 1) Topic
 * 2) Theme and argument
 * 3) The argument or thesis
 * 4) The background
 * 5) Primary and Secondary sources for insight into the topic
 * 6) Issues to be addressed
 * 7) Literature to be consulted
 * 8) Provisional conclusions drawn from the argument & issues or data
 * 9) Structure / sections of the paper, etc.


 * Option 2 - Essay Review**
 * Choose a topic that corresponds with one of the weekly topics (i.e.,= Jurisprudence of ET) or themes and write an essay review exploring the foundations of ET. Drawing on 7 - 10 carefully selected and relevant research articles or a smaller number of books (2 - 3), write a critical essay review on a topic within or about ET, ID, e-Learning, new media, etc. Establish the purpose for your review and the approach you will use in the introduction. Provide enough of a summary of each source (article, book, etc.) so that the readings are understandable to a general reader of your essay. The purpose of your review should establish the basis of your analysis / synthesis. You may choose to critique the articles and texts based on some of the assigned course readings. Strive for clarity and conciseness in your writing by trying to keep your audience in mind.