Review

In order for you to learn from this activity and to assure the quality of the activities in the collection, we will be using a rigorous peer review process. This will take place between January 18 and February 5 with three different options for you to choose from.

Please register for one of the following options by January 15.

Review Workshop
This workshop will take place in January 29 - 30, 2010, starting with dinner on Friday evening and ending mid-afternoon on Saturday. The workshop will be held at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul. Lodging and meals will be paid with grant funds. Lodging will be at Embassy Suites in downtown St. Paul. Make your reservations at 651-224-5400.

Virtual Learning Community
Participants choosing this option will work together as a special course within Desire2Learn. The course will be available Monday, January 25 - Friday, February 19, 2010. Course login information will be sent the week of January 11.

Peer Observation Partnership
This option will involve working with peers to conduct a classroom observation. The process will include pre-observation and post-observation meetings as well as a classroom observation of the classroom activity in use and techniques for gathering student feedback. You will choose a peer from your campus to participate in the process. Ideally, your peer will also submit an activity that you, in turn, will observe and review. Materials will be sent the week of January 11 with the review process to be completed by February 5.

Which option should I choose?

Each option has its own unique characteristics which you should consider. The 'content' of each option will be similar in that there will be a discussion of what makes a student activity successful, a review of a colleague's activity using a guide sheet, and a discussion of lessons learned when conducting the review.

The Workshop offers face-to-face networking, practice reviewing as a large group, time to revise your activity based on two rounds of review, and a chance to enjoy the St. Paul Winter Carnival after the workshop. Lodging and meals provided. On the other hand, the Virtual Learning Community may be the best option for you if you enjoy more time to reflect and connecting with colleagues over a longer period of time. It can also be a chance to get a glimpse of the world of online students. No travel worries either. Finally, if you plan to use your activity with students before February 5, then consider the Peer Observation Partnership. You will be working with colleagues from your campus which could lead to a deeper ongoing support system. You can suggest colleagues when you register for this option - and encourage them to submit an activity also! Again, no travel worries.