Creating a Student-centered Course Based on Current EventsTim Thompson KAIST

The best way to find out if your students understand something is to see if they can teach it to someone else.

About the Course• Met twice a week for 75 minutes each.

• 15 students were enrolled. (Max. 20)

• Students could work alone, in pairs, or in groups up to four members.

• Students chose a topic and worked on it for two weeks (one round).

• Class time was used to collect information, assemble websites, report on their progress, ask for help/feedback, and present their final project for each round.

http://hss395.weebly.com

Negotiated Website Checklist

• Content is linked to main homepage• All content is published and links work• Organized landing page• Clearly labeled submenus• Proper citations/labeling• Efficient/effective use of visuals• Pages not overly text heavy• Topic is fully covered• Diverse range of sources

Not Just WebsitesVideosFacebook pagesBrochure design

Leadership, group work, time management, independence, asking for help/feedback, attention to detail, considering a target market/audience and their needs.

Current Events Team Member Feedback Form Due _______  Your name __________________________ (first name only) Score ________ (1-5) Please describe your contributions to this round’s project.   Partner 1 ____________________________ (first name only) Score ________ (1-5)Please describe their contributions to this round’s project.   

Partner 2 _____________________________ (first name only) Score ________ (15)Please describe their contributions to this round’s project.  

Partner 3 _____________________________ (first name only) Score ________ (1-5Please describe their contributions to this round’s project

Course Observations• Diversity among the students helps• Students must be taught how to use the

tech• Need a central storage place for content• Two weeks per round seemed to work well• Rubrics can and should be developed with

student input• Student input helped develop the course• YouTube suggestion came from students• Facebook awareness campaign idea was from a student

Plans for Next Semester• Try more “battles”.• Consider more discussion-based

activities.• Give different options for website creator

options (weebly, wix, wordpress, jimdo, squarespace, etc.)

• Set expectations for presentations at the beginning of the semester.• Have clear secondary goal if project

carries into a second round.

Grades• Attendance (10 points)• Participation/Attitude (10 points)• My score per round (5 points x 5)• Team feedback average score per round (5

points x 5)• Final portfolio and interview (30 points)• What were your expectations for the course?• How did the actual course differ from your expectations?• Highlight your projects this semester.• What did you learn in the course that will help you in the future?• How would you change or improve the course?

Tim Thompson

thompson@kaist.ac.krhss395.weebly.com