Introduction
Computers
and the World Wide Web give educators and students access
to enormous amounts of digital content. However, using
that content between instructor and student is still
a very manual, disconnected, and time-consuming process.
A
Better Way for Instructors and Students
The
360 Assignment Model is the process for using PowerResearcher
by both instructor and student. In the
360 Model, the instructor or teacher uses PowerResearcher
to prepare an Assignment Starter Project with
teaching materials that are passed digitally to their students.
These materials could include: lesson plans, assignment
instructions, sample web pages, templates, citation examples,
an assignment schedule or plan, research evaluation criteria,
etc. Any digital content can be packaged into PowerResearcher
for easy distribution to students. If the instructor is
already using a system such as WebCT or
Blackboard, they may choose not to include
information in the Assignment Starter Project that would
be communicated through those systems. Instead the starter
project could be focused on sample research, captured web
pages, and other content. PowerResearcher project files
can be distributed and shared through either WebCT or Blackboard.
Students
then use the instructor's Assignment Starter
Project as a starting point for their own work.
By adding their work to the project file and making
it a Student Project, students complete
their assignment work and always have their instructor's
instructions at their finger tips. On completing their
work, students hand in their project file digitally
to the instructor via e-mail, removable media, network,
or web upload. The instructor then has every piece of
information pertaining to the assignment at hand. The
final paper or project, collected research, research
activity logs, the research plan, and the instructor's
starter materials are all packaged in a compressed file.
The
360 Assignment Model is being used in both higher education
and in grades 6-12. For more information including a sample
assignment, download our Planning
Guide. An Instructor's
Guide to using PowerResearcher is also available.
Citation
in MLA format:
Beasley, J. Douglas. "The 360 Assignment Model."
Uniting Networks Incorporated
Date Accessed <http://www.powerresearcher.com/360_model..html>.
Click
here to download an Acrobat version of this article.
FREE
30-DAY TRIAL
— or —
CLICK
HERE to PURCHASE
