Co-Creating a Code Glossary
Sandra Lloyd
Communication Design (COMD)
COMD 2451
Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity
In groups of 4-5, students use a real-time, collaborative spreadsheet (such as Google Sheets) to fill out several terms as part of a glossary of code terms they need to learn. If time, they teach one or two of the terms to the rest of the class. Each group is graded on the accuracy of their entries. Then, the class can use the directory throughout the semester as reference material.
This activity can be used for learning HTML, CSS, or other coding languages or frameworks where students need to learn a large number of basic elements and their behavior.
Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?
Broadly, the learning goals are to build skills in reading comprehension, research, critical thinking, and collaboration.
In my class, I used the activity for the introduction to HTML.
The objectives specific to COMD 2451 are:
1) In order to get acquainted to semantic HTML so that they can create static websites, students will learn and retain:
a) what key HTML elements do
b) when and where to use these elements
c) how to write a line of code using these elements
2) Students will get to know each other and form bonds, while also building collaboration and teamwork skills.
(These learning goals can be adapted for CSS, W3.css, or other appropriate languages or frameworks.)
Timing: At what point in the lesson or semester do you use this activity? How much classroom time do you devote to it? How much out-of-class time is expected?
There are three points in the semester of COMD 2451 where this activity can be used:
1) Week 3: HTML & Design DIscovery;
2) Week 4: CSS;
3) Week 7: Web Design & Interaction (introduction of W3.css framework)
However, I only implemented it during Week 3, for the purposes of teaching HTML. This is because it is helpful to have this hands-on activity when coding is new to them.
I devote 1.5 – 2 hours of class time to the exercise. No out-of-class time is expected. The only exception is if a group does not finish their glossary terms in the allotted time, at which point they may opt to finish it outside of class.
Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?
To prepare for this activity, the professor must create a Google Sheet (or similar real-time collaborative spreadsheet) as demonstrated in the HTML Glossary presentation on OpenLab. This must be populated with the desired html elements, along with columns for Definition, Characteristics, Example code, When to Use, and When NOT to Use. The first row will be populated with an example.
Assessment: How do you assess this activity? What assessment measures do you use? Do you use a VALUE rubric? If not, how did you develop your rubric? Is your course part of the college-wide general education assessment initiative?
The activity is evaluated based upon a grading rubric that centers around errors. I assess the number of correct definitions or their quality.
My course is part of the college-wide general education assessment initiative.
Reflection: How well did this activity work in your classroom? Would you repeat it? Why or why not? What challenges did you encounter, and how did you address them? What, if anything, would you change? What did students seem to enjoy about the activity?
The activity worked very well. Students were engaged throughout in their groups. It was also very clear that they quickly learned how to effectively search for information online and to problem-solve. Students tended to do better in my class this semester compared to last semester.
Additional Information: Please share any additional comments and further documentation of the activity – e.g. assignment instructions, rubrics, examples of student work, etc. These can be links to pages or posts on the OpenLab.
See the first post in the OpenLab to see more in-depth presentation deck and the site itself.
Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Vm4zWUqOLdgNg3SPudPRq6lxSKsf0Bxa22ou3rrkb0g/edit?usp=sharing