Putting Educational Innovations into Practice.

Welcome to the June 2009 GRAPE Camp

We can use this discussion forum to ask and answer questions that can be shared with the group. We have two sessions going on, with more than 60 people involved. This is the largest GRAPE Camp ever! If you have a question, please ask away. I also encourage people who are already involved in MERLOT to answer your questions.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Patrick Coyle on June 12, 2009 at 7:23am

Hi everyone. Just checking in to say how much I'm looking forward to being a Peer Reviewer for MERLOT. I've been a menber since last year when I discovered MERLOT in one of my doctoral courses. I have used several of the learning materials in the classes that I teach and find them quite useful. I'm enjoying Grape Camp already and am looking forward to Weeks 2 and 3.
Pat

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 12, 2009 at 10:00am

Good to have you at Camp, Pat. I'm also happy to hear you've been using MERLOT materials in your classes. I think you'll find that you'll find many other resources you can use through doing the Peer Reviews.

Permalink Reply by Diana Brooks on June 12, 2009 at 7:43am

Cathy, I just suggested that a person I supervise submit some of his work to Merlot. I hope there's a system in place so I don't end up reviewing that course LOL.

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 12, 2009 at 10:05am

Bully for you, Diana. I hope your friend does submit the material. We love it when people want to add to the MERLOT collection. And the benefit for your friend is that if that material does get reviewed, he/she can cite it as a scholarly contribution, plus receive a letter recognizing that.

As to a system in place, the only one we have is that the Author of the material would not be assigned to review it. That brings up a good point that I may not have mentioned yet. If you are ever assigned to review a material that you don't feel comfortable reviewing (i.e. out of your area of expertise, know the author, etc.), please let the Editor know and he/she will put someone else on it and assign something else to you. We are truly grateful to our Peer Reviewers and don't ever want to burden them with something they don't want to do.

Permalink Reply by Chase Masters on June 12, 2009 at 8:17am

If you would like to test out an LO using Internet Explorer and do not have access to it (or you would like to test it using a different version than you have), use this tool: http://ipinfo.info/netrenderer/

It will take screenshots of the web site and show you how it looks using the different browsers. While it is an excellent tool for web developers, it would also be very useful for peer reviewers.

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 12, 2009 at 10:08am

Wow, Chase, that is very helpful information. I may include that in my next GRAPE Camps. In addition, once I use it myself, I will suggest it to other Editors so they can also pass it on. I could also add it to the Peer Review form.

It's great when I learn something myself during GRAPE Camp. I usually do as we get so many experienced people and there are so many clever tools out there. Thanks for sharing.

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 12, 2009 at 10:22am

Now I know I won't lose the site, as I just added it to the MERLOT collection: http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=388461 :-)

Permalink Reply by Chase Masters on June 18, 2009 at 9:15am

Another way to access the Netrenderer tool for Firefox users is to install the plugin. This allows you to add a button to your toolbar that will automatically take you to the rendered image of the page you are currently viewing.

For more information/installation:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6455

Permalink Reply by Margaret Porciello on June 18, 2009 at 11:35am

Hello all,

I was just writing the review porton of Web Search Startegies module for our homework for the second week. I have already reviewed the website, and I am tackling the "Observation and Evaluation" section of the review.

My question is with the Strengths and Weaknesses area. I'm not sure (1) whether I should be addressing each of the 11 standards that do not get a "5" rating in the Weaknesess area and (2) if these two areas - Strengths and Weaknesses should be bulleted points or paragraph format?

Thanks for any help you might provide.
Margaret

PS This is not any easy task :-) I suppose it will get easier with practice?

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 22, 2009 at 9:59am

Hi, Margaret. No, you don't have to address each of the eleven standards. Those are there as criteria to help you think about the rating. You should answer the question of what is outstanding about the material. Also, what are some reasons for NOT giving the major criterion a "5." That would provide the Concerns answer.

For GRAPE Camp, we suggest bullet points. However, once you are working with an actual Editorial Board, the Editor can provide you information about how to format that information.

Permalink Reply by Diana Brooks on June 23, 2009 at 8:49am

Hi, I thought at the end of the last webinar you mentioned that we'd get an email to chose the area we'd be reviewing.. have not seen that yet.

Permalink Reply by Cathy Swift on June 23, 2009 at 8:56am

I have to look over your peer review first. I'll get that done soon and then send you an email.

Sorry for the delay, but have had some other priorities early this week.