Professional/Personal Development – L4: Living Lab Learning Library

May 25, 2018

Wikipedia

Anne Leonard

Library

LIB/ARCH 2205ID Learning Places

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Guidelines for Wikipedia Assignment: Creating and editing Wikipedia content, including media in Wikimedia Commons, is an essential part of our class and is 15% of your grade. The Wikipedia assignment is evaluated through our course dashboard. You’ll need to create a Wikipedia account and use it every time you complete a training module, make edits to Wikipedia, or contribute media to Wikimedia Commons. Individual and group Wikipedia contributions & edits and Wikimedia Commons contributions are due by <date>.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

The assignment helps meet several learning outcomes:

Gen Ed LOs: Demonstrate and apply information literacy aptitude by gathering, interpreting, evaluating and applying information discerningly from a variety of sources

Interdisciplinary LOs: Synthesize and transfer knowledge across disciplinary boundaries; Think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively

Course LOs: Develop, document, catalogue, and organize information to make it accessible to the public.

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?

One 2 hour workshop facilitated by a Wikipedia expert* that covers Wikipedia writing, editing, and documenting; part or all of an additional class period to review research strategies, topics and articles to write and edit, the 5 pillars of Wikipedia that guide the process of contributing, writing, and editing.

*Wikiedu.org and the local Wikimedia NYC chapter can help with this

Students should be able to complete the assignment in about 1-2 hours of time 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?

Students need to have a topic to write about and the ability to do research to document information they write about. The assignment is 15% of the final grade, so a medium-to-low stakes assignment. See assignment guidelines on course OpenLab site for instructions given to students.

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?

Please see the assignment guidelines link for the rubric and self-assessment checklist

Assignments

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?

Students were thrilled to write and publish for a wide audience, yet were disappointed when the active community of Wikipedia writers overwrote their contributions. Students were encouraged to make use of the Talk page to discuss their contributions with other Wikipedia editors. The Wikiedu dashboard (dashboard.wikiedu.org) helps the instructor keep track of students' contributions, even if they don't persist in the final article.

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.

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

Assignments

May 11, 2018

Ethics in Food Purchasing

Tracy Zimmermann

Hospitality Management

HMGT 1102 Introduction to Food and Beverage

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

A Three Part Assignment on Ethics and Food Purchasing.

PART 1 – The Lexicon of Sustainability Weekly Blog Assignment

Task-
To consider what exactly sustainability and the food system is and how it affects our food purchasing choices. This assignment will bring awareness to the subject of sustainability and it’s terms, concepts and challenges. Short films (3-6 min) from “The Lexicon of Sustainability” will be posted to our class Open Lab Site on a weekly basis.

Expectations
Each week the expectation will be to view the video and post a 4-5 sentence guided reflection / reaction blog post to our class open lab site. Weekly from Week 2 through Week 12

PART 2 – Market Visit (Week 7 or 8 of the semester)

Task –
A site visit to Eataly Gourmet Market. This will create an opportunity for the students to get out and visit a different type of market and to see food and beverage products that they may not have come into contact with.

We will explore the market in small groups, taking part in a photographic scavenger hunt. Our goal will be to see as much of the market as possible and encounter as many different products as possible.

Expectation
– Groups will post their scavenger hunt pictures to the open lab site
– Individuals will reflect on the site visit with a blog post on the open lab. This blog post will be guided by specific reflection questions, including whether they believe Eataly is a place that would support Ethical Food Purchasing decisions.

PART 3 – Final Group Project / Presentation (Week 12 or 13)

Task
Students will be placed into groups and given a food category to work with. (i.e. Meat, Poultry, Dairy, Vegetables, Fruits, Dry Goods, etc…).

Group – will research the food category and the items it includes. Included in the research they will explain the ethical concerns that may be involved in purchasing in this food category.

Individuals
– Will choose a product from your category to focus on and research that product and the specific purchasing factors. (price, size, purchase unit, age, quality level, variety, domestic / imported / local, ethical concerns, etc.)
– Visit at least 3 different markets that carry your item and compare and contrast the products found in each. Comment on where you would make your purchase and why.
– Explain the ethical considerations involved in your purchase decision. Comment on how important the ethical considerations were to your purchase decision. Why is this?

Expectation
– Each group will present their findings to the class, with each individual speaking about their specific product.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

A scaffolded approach to a full understanding of sustainability and ethics in food purchasing. This will allow the student to travel from concept to practice and include sustainability and ethics in their food purchasing decisions.

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?

This will begin on the first day of class with an introduction to the Open Lab and Blogging as well as a discussion of what some of the issues in our food system are. After this introduction the majority of this assignment will be done outside of the classroom on the Open Lab.

The Final assignment will be presented in the classroom

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

Part 1 – Videos will be posted, instructions and reflection questions will be given. Low stakes blog post assignments.
Part 2 – Pre-Reading on Eataly will be supplied, directions to site will be supplied with maps, scavenger hunt will be prepared and explained. Low stakes.
Part 3 – Groups and Categories assigned, outline given. High stakes – Final Project

Critical Thinking Value Rubric
Ethical Reasoning Value Rubric
Oral Communication Value Rubric

Has not been introduced yet.

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

April 27, 2018

Political Action Assignment

Sarah Jacobs

English

English Composition 1101

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Students will individually research a public policy or planning issue that is being debated at the state, city, or neighborhood level. Each student will post a summary of the different sides of the debate and the different parties involved on OpenLab. The summary will include references and citations to three sources suitable for an academic paper. Each student will then comment on two other posts. Students' comments will either suggest what additional information is needed to make a policy decision or state what policy decision the student thinks is best and why that decision is ethically correct. Students will then be divided into four or five groups, each of which focuses on a policy, based on which posts were most commented on. Within their groups, students will gather questions regarding what additional information is needed for their issue and will assign group members to find out the additional information. Finally, students will individually post their policy recommendations and will take a political action in support of their recommendations. In class, each group will come to an agreement through debating and/or voting concerning which policy decision or decisions the group recommends. Group members will then rate one another's contributions using a rubric.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

I would like students to grasp the ethical complexities of a current issue and develop language for talking about the ethical difficulties of that issue. I would also like students to gain confidence within their assigned group roles. Researching their topics will also help students evaluate sources. Negotiating with other members of their group on the group's stance will help students hone their ability to communicate with and convince others of their stance.

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?

This would be done during the latter half of the semester, and it would take up about four or five weeks of class. Completing the assignment sequence would require two hours of work outside of class each week.

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

Students would need practice locating and evaluating sources. I would instruct them on the types of sources that would be appropriate, and I would suggest a list of databases and websites that they could use. I would say that the OpenLab posts are low to medium stakes, while the group debate and political action are medium to high stakes.

Students will assess one another's group work using a simple rubric. I will give students individual feedback on their posts, which would translate into a written response that takes the VALUE rubric into account.

How well this activity works will depend on how successful I am at assigning students roles within their groups and in giving them instructions regarding what their group needs to be accomplishing at set times. Also, I will try to choose four or five topics for the groups that I think have the strongest potential for complex ethical exploration.

Assignment: http://www.sarahruthjacobs.com/JacobsPolitical%20Action%20Assignment2.pdf

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

April 26, 2018

Promotional Videos: For/Against Development In Downtown Brooklyn

Josh A. Kapusinski

Communication Design Department

COMD 2320 Introduction to Film/Video Production Design

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Promotional Videos: For/Against Development In Downtown Brooklyn is a place-based learning assignment where students are divided into groups and play the roles of an advertising agency and a local community organization who are tasked to create a video promoting future development or a video trying to stop future development in aim to preserve the history and integrity of downtown Brooklyn.

The assignment: Students are divided into four groups (3-4 students per group). Two of the four groups play the role of an advertising agency who has been hired by a developer selling commercial and residential space in downtown Brooklyn. The developer is paying the agency to create a 30-second video to play on their website, and social platforms promoting why businesses and people should invest in their properties in downtown Brooklyn. Each student group will explore the downtown area during a class period on foot, and take photos with their cell phones to document what they believe will be the contents of an effective video advertisement. Interpretations and approaches may vary between the two groups. One group may choose to take photos that represent a modern style of living which caters toward the middle-to-upper class – such as City Point, Citi Bike stations, or chic high-rise luxury apartments, while the other group may want to focus on capturing derelict and closed-down businesses or “eye-sores” and are reason to tear down and build something new and fancy.

The other two groups are playing the role of a local business and community organization – made up of local business owners and local residents. Their goal is to make a video ad that builds consensus with enough people (city council members, government officials, and local residents) so that new development doesn’t happen. Their video aims to help preserve the integrity of downtown Brooklyn. Each of these two groups is to explore the downtown area during a class period on foot and take photos with their cell phones to document what they believe will be the contents of an effective advertisement. Interpretations may vary between these two groups. One group may choose to take photos of construction sites and “evil” machinery in action smashing the crumbled remains of a once historic structure to play off of the emotional side of a viewer. The other group may capture old historic landmarks or buildings, such as churches – of which has been a controversial topic recently – as some churches throughout the city have been selling off their land/buildings for new development.

Following the place-based component, students are to edit the photos together using video editing software, while also adding music and/or text – "live, work, play all in one place", "save downtown, preserve our history", and so on. This should consume 1-2 additional class periods. Once the videos are completed, each group will present their finished work, and then discuss reasons why they chose certain subject matter, and their approach to framing shots based on ethical reasoning.

Students finally write a brief reflection on OpenLab about their current beliefs regarding this topic; if those beliefs have changed as a result of this assignment; and their overall experience in working towards a goal that may have gone against their own bias or belief system – the topic of new development in any area.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

I aim to introduce the concept of ethical reasoning to students in context to video production and a future job they may have where they are asked to perform a task, such as to make a video that goes against their bias or belief system. How they should approach this, and navigate through this is good practice for potential opportunities and situations they may encounter in the future. Should they try their best for the sake of the company (i.e. their employer)? Or should they tell their boss that they disagree with the message and objective of the project? Secondly, students gain an awareness for detail in their surroundings – which is important in being a camera operator. Thirdly, students get practice at framing and composing shots, as well as the entire act of telling a story, approaching how to tell that story and the technical execution of the editing that story – video editing. Through their reflections – one at the beginning and one at the end, students also gain insight on themselves which should encourage open-mindedness.

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?

Due to the fact that this assignment is based outside – walking around downtown Brooklyn, it has to be done during months other than those in the winter. Approximately three class periods will be spent on this assignment. The act of just taking photos is ok, but to compile those photos into an order that tells a specific story and has a message makes this assignment much more engaging and worthwhile for students.

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

Prior to the actual place-based component of this assignment, students are introduced (via a mini-lesson) to the concept of ethical reasoning, and are given a clear explanation of expectations, objectives, and purposed outcomes for this assignment. Sample photos that I have taken are shown to help illustrate points. Students are also required to write a brief reflection on OpenLab about their current beliefs regarding the topic, and therefore I will need to ensure that students sign up or have an OpenLab account. Setup of the reflection forms needs to be created as well – learning how to do this has to be taken into account since I do not use OpenLab.

I would assess this assignment based on a value rubric. Points are assigned to each of the two reflection entries; the quantity of photos taken on location – minimum requirement needs to be met; the application of certain editing techniques such as adding motion to still images; the final edited piece; and the final presentation during the screening.

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

April 26, 2018

Testing Usability, Learning Ethics

Joe Jeyaraj

English

Planning and Testing User Documentation (Eng 3780)

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Students will do usability testing of a health document either they or a friend or relative may have used.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

How well the document works for its audience and purpose.

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?

In the second section of the course.

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

As assignments go, it is simple in its planning, but complex in its completion.

I use a rubric that I have for upper level courses in technical and professional writing.

I have given students a document I have personally used, and students generally respond well to this type of assignment because it involves their personal life.

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

April 25, 2018

Network Brand (The Manifesto pt1)

George Larkins

Communication Design

COMD 3521 Motion Design 1

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Students are to create a manifesto designed to launch their network. Here is where it all starts. Where they have to look within themselves and develop the courage to share their beliefs with the world. I have them start off with what they believe and what they know to be true. Ex. I believe that racism is real. I know that discrimination exists in this society.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

My aim here is to create an environment of ethical and honest reasoning designed to withstand the pressure that business demands. In addition to aid in rebuilding their self-belief system.

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?

This project is part of their final. We devote two entire class sessions dealing with this. Out of class time is constantly encouraged. What I tell them is the more time you spend on a subject, the better it will become. If time permits, I share with them a video of the “Long Game, part 2.” https://vimeo.com/87448006

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

The instructions for this exercise is to start with a list of beliefs. What would do be doing right now in your perfect world? Are you preparing yourself go along with the future or are you preparing yourself to help shape the future? Do you believe that you can have an impact on this planet? Who are your design heroes, and why? And in order to do this, they have to develop the skills the right questions, not only questions from other people but of themselves as well. And have the courage to ask and answer honestly.

I will use the creative thinking value rubric. I believe it fits this activity well.

The activity went well, and yes, I will be repeating it. Why, because I believe it is an important skill set to have. That is having the courage to ask questions, be asked questions and give honest answers. My challenge has been getting students to manage the fear of being put in the spotlight. I address that issue by having students give their presentation in front of the class. One possibility would be to review some contemporary design and some history so that they would be more aware of the people that came before them. And also aid them in finding someone who could they can follow and be inspired by.

The next step here for will be to get more familiar using openLab.

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

April 25, 2018

Community Survey Report

Bridget Maley

Nursing

NUR 1030 Foundations of Caring

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Students will walk around their neighborhood/Zip code and survey the neighborhood looking at the conditions of the buildings, stores, transportation, and health of the community.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

• Recognize the role of health care providers in providing a protective, supportive and/or corrective environment.
• Recognize the responsibility of the nurse as a client advocate in the health care delivery system.
• Professional/Personal Development: Demonstrate intellectual honesty and personal responsibility, discern consequences of decisions and actions, demonstrate intellectual agility and the ability to manage change, work with teams including those of diverse composition, build consensus, and respect and use creativity.

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?

This assignment is distributed to the students during the first class, we then discuss community nursing and health during the next 2 meeting dates. The students are expected to submit the exam by week 4. The students will probably spend about 4 hours on this assignment.

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

Preparation is the overview of the assignment, the written assignment that is given to the students, and the discussion of community, health, and the role of the nurse in both of those environments. I would say this is a low-stakes activity only because it doesn't have any weight on the students average, however it could be considered high-stakes because it is a requirement of the course and the student will not pass without completing the assignment.

Right now it is just at the discretion of the professor, this is a pass fail assignment. Going forward I am going to use the writing rubric and the ethical reasoning rubric when marking this assignment.

This assignment is working fairly well although I do have some students resubmit any section that was not completed properly or not addressed at all. The students seem to really enjoy this assignment because many of them have not been aware of their surroundings and just go about their business. I think it helps them to think about their neighborhoods in a new way to see how as a nurse they can offer help or assistance to the people who live in their neighborhood.

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

April 24, 2018

Poster Session

Prof Sam Kleinplatz

Social Sciences/City Tech

Psych 1101

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Students are asked to use international research from peer reviewed Psych Journals to identify a problem and then find solutions.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

To use open Lab concept and extend learning globally.

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?

Mid semester. Does require weeks of research.

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

The assignment counts for 25 percent of their grade. Creativity, critical and ethical thinking are involved.

Students are graded on format, graphics, no. of journals, use of foreign materials, presentation and legacy.

They love doing it. It can stimulate more activities. Public speaking is a challenge.

Will supply rubric

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April 12, 2018

Clinic Journals

Annie Chitlall

School of Professional Studies department of Dental Hygiene/New York City College of Technology

Princinples of Dental Hygiene Care II

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Students will write 3 clinic journals in Dental 1200. Each journal will be written on a completed patient. The students will enter the journal on the Den 1200 open lab site. There will be an open discussion between each student and his/her clinic advisor to ensure that the journal has met all the required information listed on the handout/rubric.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

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?

Students will post a clinical journal within 48 hours of patient completion. Clinical journals are to be written after each step of patient care is completed. This activity will not occur in the classroom. Students will need about 2-3 hours out-of-class time to complete these journals if they the recommended timeline is followed.

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

The students need to be able to demonstrate writing mechanics, understanding, and completeness of the assignment. Writing must be clear, concise, and correct. No spelling or grammatical errors. Extremely well organized. The student must demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the concepts in the assignment and must address all elements in the assignment in an appropriate length. This activity is low-stakes.

There will be a grading rubric for this assignment.

Currently and from previous experience, the students do not follow the recommended timeline and rush to submit the required 3 journal entries on the deadline. The last-minute submissions or journals have not yielded positive results since most entries are missing pertinent information and students do not have an opportunity for open discussion with assigned faculty members. I would repeat this activity but will modify the requirements for submission. Students will develop a better appreciation of this assignment if after each patient care visit there is a required entry for that visit and an evaluation of their goals for a specific aspect of the patient care process was met. Over the semesters the biggest challenge is receiving these journal entries in a timely manner. Most students wait for the deadline date and post their entries at midnight, this does not allow for a discussion and often results in a low grade. Most students seem to enjoy the self-reflection portion of the assignment most.

Journal __________ Principles of Dental Hygiene Care II- 1200-Spring 2018

Criteria
4
3
2
1
Score
Completeness
Addresses all elements in the assignment and is of appropriate length
Addresses most of elements in the assignment and is of appropriate length
Missing some minor elements in the assignments
Incomplete in most respects; does not address the assignment properly

Understanding
Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the concepts in the assignment
Demonstrates an accomplished understanding of the concepts in the assignment
Demonstrates an acceptable understanding of the concepts in the assignments
Demonstrates an inadequate understanding of concepts in the assignment

Writing Mechanics
Writing is clear, concise, and correct. No spelling or grammatical errors. Extremely well organized.
Writing is clear and concise but may have one or two spelling or grammatical errors. Well organized.
Writing lacks clarity or conciseness and contains numerous spelling and/or grammatical errors.
Writing is unfocused, rambling, or contains serious errors in spelling and/or grammar. Poorly organized

Total:

Grade = 12/12 = 100%
Instructor Comments:

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April 12, 2018

Designing New Services

Harry Shapiro

Hospitality

Services Marketing & Management

Activity Description: Provide a brief description of the activity

Students working in groups are requested to design a new hotel with the business or economic goal of service a specific class of customers. For example: high school students on a class trip, teams from start-ups that are traveling together for business, groups of millenial age friends who are traveling together, LGBTQ travels, folks who have any disability covered by ADA who are traveling for business or pleasure.

Specifically the students are to create several services within the hotel that are designed to appeal to the travel, describe a Servicescape for those services to "live within," and use the Service Profit Chain (SPC) to create rewards, tools and other innovations to find, hire, and create an awesome team of staff and managers.

Learning Goals: What do you aim to achieve with this activity?

The objective is for students to use critical thinking and pull-in much of what they know about hospitality to design amazing servicescapes that can support amazing new and innovative services and use the tools offered within the SPC to insure that those services are delivered effectively and efficiently.

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?

Throughout including the first few weeks, after the mid-term, and again towards the end of the course. In case students will have 20-30 minutes in groups. The groups are based on the normal table seating. However, diff. exercises will mix and match the students so they can interact and engage with the entire class through the exercise.

Logistics: What preparation is needed for this activity? What instructions do you give students? Is the activity low-stakes, high-stakes, or something else?

Students should be current on reading. There is both instructor assigned reading and self assigned materials.

The goal is to refine this over the course of the term. There are several initial assessments verbally in class as well as peer assessments.

The core exercise is going to be a critical part of the final exam which will offer a summative assessment assessment: have students learned how servicescapes and the SCP work together? Have students learned how the design of a new service impacts staff & customers. How students learned how to design innovative management and reward structures to support their innovative new services.

It is going well. This is the firs term

Please see the examples from class.

Please share a helpful link to a pages or post on the OpenLab

Category: Professional/Personal Development

Wikipedia

Ethics in Food Purchasing

Political Action Assignment

Promotional Videos: For/Against Development In Downtown Brooklyn

Testing Usability, Learning Ethics

Network Brand (The Manifesto pt1)

Community Survey Report

Clinic Journals

Designing New Services

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The OpenLab at City Tech:A place to learn, work, and share

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