Considering Digital Media Sources

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A Brief Digital Content Checklist:

  • I can use the source as desired without breaking any copyright laws.
  • The source appears reputable and is largely grammatically correct.
  • The source supports one or more of my course learning objectives.
  • Students can easily access and understand the content and purpose of the source.
  • My course is enhanced by the inclusion of the source (it isn’t overly redundant in content or media type).
  • Information shared in the source reasonably up-to-date.

Source considered:

Towards Best Practices in Online Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
Jared Keengwe and Terry T. Kidd http://jolt.merlot.org/vol6no2/keengwe_0610.htm

 Yes – I can use the source as desired without breaking any copyright laws.
 Yes –  The source appears reputable and is largely grammatically correct.
 Yes – The source supports one or more of my course learning objectives.
 Yes – Students can easily access and understand the content and purpose of the source.
 Yes – My course is enhanced by the inclusion of the source (it isn’t overly redundant in content or media type).
 Yes – Information shared in the source reasonably up-to-date.

 
My only concern is really with the date of publication of this article. It was published in 2010, and given the quickly changing landscape in online teaching, eight years ago feels like a bit of a long time. Still, I see that issues discussed in the article –like lack of faculty training—continue to be an issue today (I observe this regularly in my work), and so this caused me to determine the article is indeed “reasonably” up-to-date and so meets all of my criteria for inclusion in the “Assessing Online Learning Platforms” training I will be creating for the benefit my colleagues to assist us in our work.

Of note, I deliberately kept my checklist of criteria relatively short. I want to make sure I apply it routinely and want it to be simple enough that it becomes second nature. Most of these criteria I considered when I used to teach college courses (direct instruction), though the emphasis on student accessibility (because it will all happen online) and on copyright were not previous concerns of mine.