Choice

This course is designed to have students engage in a project that involves the application and sharing of research knowledge through a project that meets these course objectives.

Here is the exciting part, you get to tell me what you think the project should be. Last year everyone did a research proposal. You can still do that or you can propose something else. Some examples may include a poster presentation at our year-end “celebration of research” day, a best practice guideline for nurses similar to what the RNAO produces, engage in a data analysis project, create a website, or open educational resource – there is a world of possibilities. You will propose your idea in the early part of the course in the way that best suite your needs. The key here is that you need to justify that your idea meets the course objectives.

I believe in universal design for learning and encourage you to think outside the box. You do not need to do the same thing as everyone else. One person might do a paper, someone else might lead a presentation, someone might create an infographic … again the possibilities are endless.

Throughout the course, you will be asked to share your progress on your proposed project. You can choose to do so within the confines of Moodle or out in the open where you can get feedback from a wider community. I recently started blogging. You will likely be asked to create a blog for one of your other classes so you might as well blog for mine too! Or, if you want to share your progress in a different way let me know and we will make sure it meets the course objectives. Sharing (dissemination) is a key objective of the course.

Negotiated Grades

Your grades will not be dictated! By fourth year you have the skills required to assess your own learning fairly. Don’t worry, we will have clear “marking” criteria. In the first two weeks of class, we will discuss and co-construct criteria for success in the course. Then as you progress through the course the process will look something like this:

  1. You will submit assignments
  2. Your peers and/or I will give you feedback
  3. You will assess based on your perception of the work, co-created rubrics and my feedback what your mark should be
  4. We will discuss the mark at midterm and final

We will discuss this process at the beginning of the course to refine a process that works for everyone. Below is a from the course outline. You will get a negotiated grade at midterm (40%) and final (60%). Basically, based on several assignments you will get a mark worth 40% (or less) of your mark at midterm and the rest will be negotiated after you submit your project. It is suggested that students bring this grade negotiation form with them to a booked meeting to discuss the grade.

This gradeless thing is working elsewhere. It may be a different approach, but it works. It is founded on a trusting relationship with students and active participation in the course.

Flexibility

In the first primarily online delivery of the course, you will be invited to participate in live sessions. Due to the potential variety of the topics, I will be sure to clearly communicate the topics for discussion in advance. You can choose which sessions to attend or watch recordings afterward. We can meet online or in person. I am also on campus and ready to meet with you whenever you need.

What do you think?

Please give me some feedback. I would love you hear your thoughts – positive or negative. Who knows, maybe you could even blog about it.

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