User:ProfGray/312/Learning outcomes by assignment

Relation of assignments to learning outcomes

Assignments in Wikipedia will support each of the 4 major learning outcomes. With its emphasis on a neutral point-of-view, Wikipedia can inform and reinforce students growth in their academic and professional approach. Since so many of us have religious or anti-religious biases about the Bible, one of the key learning outcomes is for students to consistently read, analyze, and discuss Biblical texts from an academic, neutral point of view (NPOV). It is hoped that student engagement with Wikipedia will improve their development of a neutral eye when reading and, when writing or discussing Biblical material, a neutral voice. Whether students "merely" add needed citations, improve stubs with a few sentences, or write substantive article sections, it will be instructive for us to discuss Wikipedia principles and critique their implementation in Bible-related articles and editorial debates.

Return to Education Program:Miami University/Religions of the Hebrew Bible (Spring 2015)

Reading, writing, and critical thinking. The course aims to prepare students to develop competencies in critical thinking and writing, almost regardless of the subject matter (i.e., Hebrew Bible). To this end, the following specific objectives are important for our design of WP assignments:

a) To properly refer to and cite reliable sources;

b) To differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources;

c) To critically discuss and evaluate the quality of reliable sources;

d) To paraphrase a secondary source, including the outlining of an argument (and its biases), and synopsis of primary sources (e.g., Biblical passages); and

e) To revise drafts, so as to improve NPOV voice and quality of analytical presentation.

Additional learning outcomes include: (f) to independently locate reliable sources in this subject area, (g) to apply specific methods and tools in Biblical research, and (h) to skillfully function in an important genre, i.e., Wikipedia and the like.

Intercultural engagement with other learners in thinking critically about the Hebrew Bible -- as well as about our research and writing in this arena. To this end, it is anticipated that students would work, at least for WP assignments:

• In pairs or small teams of students, to ensure collaboration and quality control through peer review;
• In active conversation with other WP users about article improvements and, as needed, WP processes; and
• In close cooperation with the instructor and Wikipedia "support staff" (e.g., online ambassadors) to maintain the integrity of both their schoolwork and of Wikipedia itself.