User:PsycTeacher/Principles and Theories of Learning (PSYC 706) Sum 15

Psychology 706 is a 100 percent online course exploring Principles and Theories of Learning, the research supporting these theories, and the application of these theories to teaching/learning and psychotherapy. The course addresses three learning units: 1) What is learning? 2) Exploration of Learning Theories, 3) Inquiry into Evidence-Based Practices based on learning theories.

In Learning Unit 2, Exploration of Learning Theories, students will incorporate research and writing assignments using and educational initiative on Wikipedia. Students will practice research and writing skills in scaffolded exercises culminating in the generation of a substantial contribution to an existing Wikipedia article or the creation of a new Wikipedia article on an approved topic.

Additional required activities and unit materials are available to students on the LSUS MOODLE site. Students should monitor both Wikipedia and MOODLE throughout the course.

Week 1 (2015-06-01):  Wikipedia essentials, Editing basics

 * Overview of the course
 * Introduction to how Wikipedia will be used in the course
 * Understanding Wikipedia as a community, we'll discuss its expectations and etiquette
 * Handout: Editing Wikipedia (available in print or online from the Wiki Education Foundation)


 * Basics of editing
 * Anatomy of Wikipedia articles, what makes a good article, how to distinguish between good and bad articles
 * Collaborating and engaging with the Wiki editing community
 * Tips on finding the best articles to work on for class assignments
 * Handouts: Using Talk Pages handout and Evaluating Wikipedia brochure


 * Create an account and then complete the online training for students. During this training, you will make edits in a sandbox and learn the basic rules of Wikipedia.


 * Create a User page, and then click the "enroll" button on the top left of this course page.


 * To practice editing and communicating on Wikipedia, introduce yourself on the user talk page of one of your classmates, who should also be enrolled in the table at the bottom of the page.
 * Explore topics related to your topic area to get a feel for how Wikipedia is organized. What areas seem to be missing? As you explore, make a mental note of articles that seem like good candidates for improvement.


 * All students have Wikipedia user accounts and are listed on the course page.

Week 2 (2015-06-08):  Exploring your topic area

 * Be prepared to discuss some of your observations about Wikipedia articles on your selected theory/theorist. What is missing or could use improvement.
 * Handouts: Choosing an article


 * Review pages 4-7 of the Evaluating Wikipedia brochure. This will give you a good, brief overview of what to look for in other articles, and what other people will look for in your own.


 * Evaluate an existing Wikipedia article on your selected theory/theorist, and leave suggestions for improving it on the article's talk page.
 * A few questions to consider (don't feel limited to these):
 * Is each fact referenced with an appropriate, reliable reference? For medical articles, check whether each reference meets the requirements for reliable medical sources.
 * Is everything in the article relevant to the article topic? Is there anything that distracted you?
 * Is the article neutral? Are there any claims, or frames, that appear heavily biased toward a particular position?
 * Where does the information come from? Are these neutral sources? If biased, is that bias noted?
 * Are there viewpoints that are overrepresented, or underrepresented?
 * Check a few citations. Do the links work? Is there any close paraphrasing or plagiarism in the article? For medical sources, is a PMID included?
 * Is any information out of date? Is anything missing that could be added?
 * For medical topics, does the structure follow the recommendations of the manual of style for medicine-related articles?

Week 3 (2015-06-15):  Using sources and choosing articles

 * Handouts: Citing sources on Wikipedia and Avoiding plagiarism on Wikipedia.
 * Be prepared to explain close paraphrasing, plagiarism, and copyright violations on Wikipedia.


 * Add 1–2 sentences of new information, backed up with a citation to an appropriate source, to a Wikipedia article on your selected theory/theorist to the class.


 * For next week
 * Instructor evaluates student's article selections, by next week.

Week 4 (2015-06-22):  Finalizing topics and starting research, Drafting starter articles

 * Discuss the topics students will be working on, and determine strategies for researching and writing about them.


 * Talk about Wikipedia culture and etiquette, and revisit the concept of sandboxes and how to use them.
 * Q&A session with instructor about interacting on Wikipedia and getting started with writing.


 * By the start of our next class, find the article you want to work on and mark the article's talk page with a banner to let other editors know you're working on it. To add the banner, add this code in the top section of the talk page:


 * Add a link to your selected article to the table at the bottom of this course page.
 * Compile a bibliography of relevant, reliable sources and post it to the talk page of the article you are working on. Begin reading the sources. Make sure to check in on the talk page (or watchlist) to see if anyone has advice on your bibliography.


 * If you are starting a new article, write an outline of the topic in the form of a standard Wikipedia lead section of 3–4 paragraphs in your sandbox. Wikipedia articles use "summary style", in which the lead section provides a balanced summary of the entire body of the article, with the first sentence serving to define the topic and place it in context. The lead section should summarize, very briefly, each of the main aspects of the topic that will be covered in detail in the rest of the article. If you are improving an existing article, draft a new lead section reflecting your proposed changes, and post this along with a brief description of your plans on the article’s talk page. Make sure to check that page often to gather any feedback the community might provide.
 * Begin working with classmates and other editors to polish your lead section and fix any major issues.
 * Continue research in preparation for writing the body of the article.


 * All students have started editing articles or drafts on Wikipedia.

Week 5 (2015-06-29):  Moving articles to the main space

 * We'll discuss moving your article out of your sandboxes and into Wikipedia's main space.
 * Handout: Moving out of your sandbox
 * A general reminder: Don't panic if your contribution disappears, and don't try to force it back in.
 * Check to see if there is an explanation of the edit on the article's talk page. If not, (politely) ask why it was removed.
 * Contact your instructor or Wikipedia Content Expert and let them know.


 * Move your sandbox articles into main space.
 * If you are expanding an existing article, copy your edit into the article. If you are making many small edits, save after each edit before you make the next one. Do NOT paste over the entire existing article, or large sections of the existing article.
 * If you are creating a new article, do NOT copy and paste your text, or there will be no record of your work history. Follow these instructions on how to move your work.


 * Optional: For new articles or qualifying expansions of stubs, compose a one-sentence “hook,” nominate it for “Did you know,” (see detailed instructions) and monitor the nomination for any issues identified by other editors. Wiki Education Foundation staff can provide support for this process.


 * Begin expanding your article into a comprehensive treatment of the topic.

Week 6 (2015-07-06):  Building articles, Creating first draft, Getting and giving feedback

 * Demo uploading images and adding images to articles.
 * Share experiences and discuss problems.
 * Handouts: "Illustrating Wikipedia" (pgs 4-7) and "Evaluating Wikipedia article quality" (handed out originally earlier in the course)


 * As a group, offer suggestions for improving one or two other students' articles, based on your ideas of what makes a solid encyclopedia article.


 * Select two classmates’ articles that you will peer review and copyedit. On the table at the bottom of this course page, add your username next to the articles you will peer review. (You don’t need to start reviewing yet.)


 * Expand your article into an initial draft of a comprehensive treatment of the topic.


 * Peer review two of your classmates’ articles. Leave suggestions on the article talk pages.
 * Copy-edit the two reviewed articles.


 * Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.

Week 7 (2015-07-13):  Responding to feedback, Continuing to improve articles

 * Open discussion of the concepts of neutrality, media literacy, and the impact and limits of Wikipedia.


 * Continue discussing how the articles can be further improved. Come up with improvement goals for each article for next week.


 * Make edits to your article based on peers’ feedback. If you disagree with a suggestion, use talk pages to politely discuss and come to a consensus on your edit.


 * Return to your classmates' articles you previously reviewed, and provide more suggestions for further improvement. If there is a disagreement, suggest a compromise.
 * Do additional research and writing to make further improvements to your article, based on your classmates' suggestions and any additional areas for improvement you can identify.


 * Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.

Week 8 (2015-07-20):  Finishing touches

 * Add final touches to your Wikipedia article. You can find a handy reference guide here.


 * Write a reflective essay (2–5 pages) on your Wikipedia contributions.


 * Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.

Week 9 (2015-07-27):  Due date

 * Students have finished all their work on Wikipedia that will be considered for grading.