Take aways from Gimme S'more Learning Choices

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• At Utah State University each project team has:
  • 2 instructional designers
  • 1 programmer
  • 1 subject expert
  • 1 media specialist
• They use USU Design Tools LTI and Kaltura Media Integration
• They used Canvalytics – learning path data (also sent 4 surveys throughout course)
• Moved a face-to-face course to an online course
  • 500 students and 4 TAs (TAs assigned block of students to grade)
  • Utilized self-directed learning model and Assisted Freedom of Choice by Radenski (dropped lowest score in gradebook)
  • Students select homework with some guidance by instructor
    • For example, in Creative Arts there were 4 modules (Arts, Drama, Film, Music) - each open 4 weeks – within each module there were choices like modern art, water art, etc.  Students could choose area they wanted to complete assignments within
    • The first week, students watch an intro video
    • Within modules, students completed discussions, quizzes, and essays (students tend to complete discussions within each module first)
    • Asked students, which are the most important factors when selecting a topic to study – their order of importance was:
      1. Topic of interest
      2. Prior knowledge
      3. Length of lecture
      4. Random choice
      • Asked students, what challenges/barriers do you encounter with this type of assignment structure?
        1. Time management, procrastination
        2. Assignment difficulty/length
      • Changes for future:
        1. Need to provide additional due date structure (by this point in the course, should have this many assignments completed)
• Asked by audience to share course in Commons – presenters said they’d do this, but some things are specific to their school