The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of learners and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every learner is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.

At a minimum, each learner will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least 2 other posts from learners. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Friday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Friday of each week. Learners are highly encouraged to engage on the DB early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation.

The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow learners to learn through sharing ideas and experiences, as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in 2-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.

Deliverable Specifics

Part 1

If you were going to evaluate a program or department at your place of work, what are some of the things you would look at to decide if it is running effectively? Why do you feel the items selected are an appropriate metric?

Part 2

Based on your answers to Part 1, how do your selected metrics align with Kirkpatrick’s 4 levels of evaluation?

Do you think Kirkpatrick’s 4 levels of evaluation would be an effective tool for evaluating learning in a K–8 classroom? Why or why not?

How can the Kirkpatrick model be aligned with the cognitive, affective, and/or psychomotor taxonomies to describe an evaluation plan for your projects? What extra descriptive guidance do you have in creating evaluations, when you add this model to taxonomic leveling?

Part 3

How is intellipath an “AI” tool? In what ways does it evaluate student performance, and in what ways might it be less than ideal in describing student performance capability? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a system like this in schools? In corporate organizations? Discuss characteristics of at least one other product offering AI-based instruction and testing. Compare and contrast answers from classmates’ input.