This session will share some ideas for bringing online discussion board assignments into your classroom. We will share a few examples of assignments including components such as infographics, diversity and equity, and intermolecular forces, as well as give ideas for how to transition a traditional assignment into a discussion board assignment. Feel free to bring examples of discussion board assignments that have worked for you, and/or an assignment that you would like to transition into a discussion board assignment

Ahrendt, Angela

Kopff, Laura

English

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: DigitalCommons@IMSA

Discussion Board AssignmentsDr. Angie AhrendtDr. Laura KopffChemistry teachers, Illinois Mathematics and Science AcademyAngie Ahrendt (aahrendt@imsa.edu) 6th year IMSA teacherSI-Chem, Environmental Chemistry, BiochemResearcher at Argonne National LabLaura Kopff (lkopff@imsa.edu)4th year IMSA teacherSI-Chem, Advanced Chemistry, Organic ChemistryOverview● Role of discussions/discussion boards● What have we done? What are we doing?○ Intermolecular Forces○ Scientist Spotlight○ Types of Energy○ Virus Infographics○ Protein Infographics○ Ask the Expert● How to convert a conventional assignment to a discussion board● What are some examples that you’ve come up with?● What is an assignment that you would like to create? (some time to work)Role of a Discussion● Comprehend○ Students can help each other understand class material● Critique○ Students share ideas and provide constructive feedback to each other ● Construct Knowledge○ Opportunity for interaction and collaboration; we do not learn in isolation● Share○ Create a community of learners, supporting each other and developing a sense of belongingIntermolecular Forces Part I:  Pick one of the molecules below.  Make a post stating which molecule you pick and whether it is polar or nonpolar.  Explain why. Everyone must choose a different molecule!Part II:  Reply to someone’s post and tell them what molecule you chose and what the strongest intermolecular force between your two molecules is.  Let's try to identify as many different combinations as possible.Part III:  Read every post and ask questions if you have them.  I would encourage you to answer each other’s questions, but I will be following along as well.  Scientist SpotlightFocus on Diversity in Science and personal connectionsMust include● Basic biographical info● Their scientific work and how it relates to our learning objectives● Accomplishments/awards● A personal connection● SourcesNeed to ask questions to other students about their scientistsNeed to respond to questions from other students - might require more research!Infographic must include:● How does it work?● Pros and cons● What three countries are the biggest consumers of your energy choice?Other requirements:● Title● Section headings ● Minimum of three colors● Minimum of one chart or graph● Minimum of four graphics● Minimum of ten facts● CitationsTypes of Energy Choose a type of energy from this list:● Oil● Coal● Natural gas● Solar● Biomass● Wind● Geothermal● Hydroelectric ● Fuel cells● NuclearTypes of Energy Virus Infographics https://create.piktochart.com/output/46467250-ers-cov● What family does the virus belong to? ● Picture of the virus● What is the genetic material inside? Double stranded DNA, Single stranded DNA, RNA, etc.● How many proteins does it encode, and how do these proteins get processed?  For example, does one polypeptide chain get lysed into different proteins with a viral protease, or does it happen differently?● Compare and contrast your information from above with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  (See my SARS-CoV-2 infographic on Moodle).  For example, how are they the same, and how are they different?● ReferencesProtein Infographics Infographic must include:● The name of the protein● The function of the protein.● What class of protein does this one belong to out of the eight you read about?● The primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of the protein.● What specific amino acids are important for the function of this protein (if any)?● What other structural features of the protein are important for its function (if any)?Protein Infographics ● The name of the protein● The function of the protein.● What class of protein does this one belong to out of the eight you read about?● The primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure of the protein.● What specific amino acids are important for the function of this protein (if any)?● What other structural features of the protein are important for its function (if any)?Ask the Expert - Final ProjectFor your final project YOU are the expert on your topic (your choice). You will need to come up with a question you’ve been wonderingabout that relates to chemistry in some way, then you will research that question and become an expert. As the expert you need torespond to a series of questions about your topic - your responses should be aimed at the level of a student who is currently taking, or justcompleted SI Chemistry. The purpose of this assignment is to link what you’ve learned in chemistry with a real-world question.Required Questions1. What topic did you choose to research?2. Why did you choose that particular topic?3. Would you say this is a topic that everyone should know something about? Explain your answer.4. What are the most important chemicals that are related to your topic? (Show the chemical formulas and structures with key groups identified.)5. What are some of the relevant physical or chemical properties of these chemicals?6. What key reactions are involved with your topic? (Write out these reactions if possible)7. Provide examples of how your topic is related to what was studied in SI Chemistry and how you could use your classroom experience to help explain this subject to a friend or family member.8. What are some key environmental or societal impacts related to the chemicals involved with your topic?9. If there was one thing that everyone should understand about your topic, what do you think is the most important thing for them to understand? Explain why you feel this way. How to convert an assignment to a discussion board● How do you want your students to engage?○ Want students to learn from each other, not from me○ Students each have a different task or topic○ Pick things you care about reading!● How will you measure engagement?○ Students original post○ Responding to other students work through questions○ Relating their post to other students’ posts● How do you grade engagement?○ Model behaviors for students (example posts, previous students’ work)○ Set precise guidelines (X number of questions asked; X number of responses)○ Be clear and specific in your instructionsOther Considerations● Splitting large classes into multiple “discussion groups”○ Allows for deeper discussions ● Types of student responses○ Create a video or slideshow response● Options for Infographics○ Piktochart.com○ Google/Powerpoint slide○ Canva.com○ visme.coWhat are some examples that you’ve done?What are some topics/assignments that you would be interested in converting?Contact Us!Copies of assignments are available on IMSA Digital CommonsEmail us with any questions!Angie Ahrendt - aahrendt@imsa.eduLaura Kopff - lkopff@imsa.edu

Discussion Board Ideas for High School Science

https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1439&amp;context=proflearningday

Discussion Board Ideas for High School Science

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Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: DigitalCommons@IMSA