Search, Evaluate, Collaborate: Group Work using Social Bookmarking

This session is about the use of social bookmarking as a foundation for web resource evaluation assignments. In this session, I will share the considerations for creating and implementing a multi-part assignment that includes individual work, group work, and peer assessment elements. Based on supporting a learning objective related to improving students ability to evaluate web resources relative to the course topics, it is also meant to improve learner engagement with each other and introduce peer assessment. All assignment materials including assessment rubrics will be provided and explained. Created as part of an OER course redesign, the student submissions from this project provide a steady stream of new resources to maintain relevance and currency in the course in that bookmarks found are displayed via a widget in the course.

Session Objectives

• Describe how social bookmarking can be used as a foundation for web resource evaluation assignments.

• Explain assignment considerations to facilitate learner engagement, group work, and peer assessment.

• Identify types of assignment resources, rubrics and instruction to support learner success for this type of assignment.

The information shared in this session is directly applicable to those teaching online and blended courses but could be adapted for the face-to-face classroom. Faculty are often looking for ways to integrate collaboration or group work, resource evaluation, and engagement with the content and this assignment integrates all of those elements.  It will explain the use of a free social bookmarking tool as a foundation for this group project and will include all of the relevant instructions and grading rubrics. The audience will  be invited to contribute ideas to improve the assignment and it’s materials.

The inspiration for this course activity was the OLC Social Media for Online Education Mastery Series that I completed during summer 2017.