Principle 5: Time on Task
Good practice in undergraduate education emphasizes time on task.
Introduction
Time plus energy equals learning. Learning to use one’s time well is critical for students and professionals alike. Allocating realistic amounts of time means effective learning for students and effective teaching for faculty. However, "time on task" does not mean that the task must be drudgery. If students find the work to be fun and instructive then they will work longer (and harder) to finish the task. For example, Web searches for information about some topic (a "treasure hunt") are usually fun, but that may be a less than ideal way for students to study that topic. Engaging in an active online discussion increases the time a student spends on a task. Reviewing a recording made during class helps students stay on task. Whatever the instructor can do to increase the amount of time a student spends in study will ultimately return rewards to the student.
Webquests
A Webquest is a lesson taught using Web resources. Webquests are generally very well developed, with a scenario, task, and evaluation rubric. Webquests exist for many different disciplines, and more are being created all of the time. Webquests are written by classroom teachers and are "battle-tested" with their classes. For the most part, Webquests are written for the K-12 crowd, but some already exist for adult learners; and, of course, instructors can create their own for whatever level they are teaching.
Webquest Tools
Webquest. This is one of the oldest and most developed Webquest sites. There are hundreds of well-developed Webquests available here, so instructors can likely find one that would be useful.
Zunal. This site has a great wizard that will guide instructors through a 6-step process to create a Webquest.
Web Trails
The web is a big place and it is easy for the intrepid seeker of knowledge to become overwhelmed. What is needed is a guide, and various "Trails" tools permit someone (like an instructor) to create a path that links only the best web sites for a particular topic. A well crafted path encourages students to explore information and develop their own understanding of a topic. At any rate, it gets them away from Wikipedia.
Web Trails Tools
Trailmeme. This site permits a "trail blazer" to find a path through the web that teaches some topic. For example, the blazer may want to teach something about lions, so the path would be a linking of sites that have information about lions. In the end, the Trailmeme looks something like a mindmap, but can be followed either sequentially or jumping directly to a link of interest.
Object Repositories
A teaching object is a bit of technology, usually located on the web, that helps instructors teach lessons. An object is not a full lesson by itself, but is an adjunct to a lesson. Think of learning objects as building blocks for lessons. For example, there will not be a teaching object on human anatomy and physiology; that topic is far too big for a single object. Rather, instructors may find objects on how kidneys work or what a neuron looks like. An instructor would use these smaller building blocks to supplement and build a lesson. Typically, these objects are very engaging and interesting to students, so they tend to spend more time on the task; which leads to better learning.
Object Repositories
Merlot. This is the grand-daddy of learning object repositories. Membership (which is free) is not required to use objects listed at Merlot; but members are permitted to vote on the effectiveness of various objects, upload their own objects, create lists of favorite objects, and otherwise participate in the site. The Merlot objects are categorized by discipline and are also searchable.
WISC Online is another repository from the state college system in Wisconsin. The site lists scores of great objects, with more being added constantly. In fact, they even conduct a workshop in how to create objects.
The Gateway to 21st Century Skills is a repository of information sponsored by the National Education Association. This site is more focused on K-12 materials and includes items like lesson plans, references, and other such materials. However, there are certainly interesting objects available for any instructor.
Etexts
Many people think that e-texts are nothing more than a printed textbook that has been scanned and changed to PDF. While that may be true for some books (like novels), college e-texts are different. Most e-texts include pre-tests, study guides, quizzes, activities, video clips, post tests, and other tools. The text itself is often able to be annotated by both students and instructors and can be searched for specific phrases. In short, a modern e-text is a valuable addition to a class. In addition to the following tools, there are links to online libraries and other literature sources in the Webliography on this site.
Etext Tools
Connexions. This website contains over 6900 "modules" (think "chapters") in about 400 "collections" (think "books") that are available for free download in PDF version. People can also order a printed version (it cost $13.28 for a 195 page Business Ethics book).
Flat World Knowledge. This company is not due to actually launch until 2009; but they have a very interesting business model that would provide inexpensive books for many different disciplines. It's worth keeping an eye on these folks.
NeuraLinksPlus. Mark Dubin, a professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder, has created an incredible list of free online books, lectures, papers, and other information. His site is slanted toward science and math (he is a neuroscientist), but there is a very wide variety of information available here in many disciplines.
Microblogging
Microblogging is where people post a quick text message on a Website about what they are doing right now. It is a fun way to keep up with family or friends and can, potentially, reveal interesting things about those folks. Most microblogs are limited in length (for example, Twitter is limited to 140 characters -- not words, characters), so they are very short, succinct bits of communication. Most microblog posts are created by text message from a cell phone, so they would contain messages like "Going to the movies - see ya" or "Just left biology class - going to lit." Of course, due to the character limits, microbloggers get very creative with abbreviations and have formed a pseudo-language of their own. As just a few examples: TTYL (Talk To You Later), IDK (I Don't Know), L8r (Later), 2nt (Tonight), and IC (I See). One of the most cryptic is 143 for "I Love You" (count the letters in each of the three words).
Microblogs, though, may have an interesting educational use that will help promote time on task for classes. Instructors can create exercises that can be completed over the span of several weeks, and then use a microblog to deliver those exercises. For example, an instructor in a social studies class could create a game similar to "Where in the World is Carmen Santiago" and post daily clues to students. Instructors could create crossword puzzles from concepts in the class and post daily clues to students. Vocabulary words could be scrambled and sent to students. Phrases could be encrypted and students challenged to decrypt them. Activities like these can promote continuous involvement with materials; and if the activity is a game, then students will find it fun to participate.
The following tools will help you create microblogging activities.
Microblogging Tools
Crossword Puzzle Maker. This is a great crossword puzzle generator that uses words/clues the instructor submits to create a simple crossword puzzle. Up to 20 words/clues can be submitted. The puzzles can be saved as PDF files, printed, and shared with students.
Cryptogram Maker. This page creates a simple cryptogram from a sentence the visitor enters. Instructors could create an encrypted sentence (based on work being done in the class), give the students the cryptogram, and then post something like "X = E" daily until the cryptogram is solved.
Plurk. This is a microblogging site that you may want to try to see if you like it (the interface is a lot of fun!).
Twitter is the grand-daddy of microblogging. You and your friends can "tweet" all day in order to keep in touch. This tool, though, has several very interesting applications in education. You may want to read 30+ Creative Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom for ideas.