Individual Titles
Foundations
Friday, December 02, 2011
6:14 PM
Definition Of Open Study / To my knowledge, Open Study is a place where students from anywhere in the world with internet access can:1. Openly Express good creative thought, opinion, friendly jokes, suggestion, and wisdom for the enjoyment and knowledge of all
2. Help other peers understand concepts related to the subject they are studying
3. Get help with subject matter they are trying to understand
4. Provide feedback for improving open study,
5. Create their own groups,
6. Become moderators,
7. Improve learning and teaching techniques,
8. Contribute to a growing international society through by volunteering their time
9. Earn rewards and gain recognition
These, in my opinion, are the cornerstones of Open Study for the individual that, no matter what, should never change. Changes made to open study, in effect, should be made in ways that are progressive and preserving. In other words, when changes are made, those changes should support making open study better while preserving the cornerstones that make Open Study an attractive place for students of all ages.
Goals
Friday, December 02, 2011
6:18 PM
Goal Of Open Study / The goals of open study are simple: Progress And PreservationPreservation / Preserve and defend cornerstones of Open Study
Progress / 1st Goal: To ensure that an open, friendly, supportive, orderly, non-hostile learning environment is maintained
2nd Goal: To create the best possible system that allows to receive proper assistance with concepts they are trying to understand
3rd Goal: To continue provide active feedback for user input such that everyone's best ideas are acknowledged and genuinely addressed
4th Goal: To create a system that gives individuals the privilege to create their own "approved" groups after successfully completing a series of necessary qualifications or requirements.
5th Goal: To make improvements to Open Study such that progress is made in each cornerstone. Open Study must make continual progress
6th Goal: To expand upon the cornerstones of Open Study such that all sides are satisfied in best possible manner.
7th Goal: To provide a checklist of qualifications or requirements that will allow any individual, if they desired, to become moderators. The process should be created in a way that considers good behavior, valuable contributions to feedback, subject matter, etc., and also input among peers, with the alternative of a direct appointment
8th Goal: To create a system where students can become certified subject matter experts for the main subject groups in such a way that they will:
1. Be held to a higher standard compared to regular users,
2. Be responsible for helping to maintain the proper OS environment,
3. Provide guidance for others with regard to such things as:
a. How to properly respond to questions
b. How to achieve OS related goals
c. General Mentorship
9th Goal: To create a system where individuals can get recognized for their contributions to open study, both within and outside the realm of open study
Nth Goal: ...
Groups
Friday, December 02, 2011
6:13 PM
Goal / To create a system that gives individuals the privilege to create their own "approved" groups after successfully completing a series of necessary qualifications or requirements.Definition Of A Group / There are two main kinds of groups: The main or "Subject Matter" group and the general or "User-Generated" group.
Subject Matter Groups are groups that are not user generated groups but default groups such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology...etc. governed by moderators, preferably those who are subject matter experts.
User Generated Group - User generated groups are groups that are created by individuals after meeting certain requirements and approved by an appointed group of responsible individuals. The groups generated are in alignment with and support the overall goals of OS, maintain a certain standard expected of groups, and are moderated by responsible individuals
Subject Matter Groups / Moderator / Head of Subject Matter Group (Preferably Subject Matter Expert). Responsible for overseeing the activities of the group, ensuring that the 1st Goal is maintained.
Subject Matter Expert / Group Mentor - Responsible for ensuring that subject matter concept and understanding needs are properly addressed.
Ranked Individuals / The group of individuals, Neophyte thru Guru, who make up the group majority
User-Generator Group / Moderator / Creator Of Group. Responsible individual who understands the goals of OS, one or two per group with no more than two, but with the option of transferring moderation authority to a different responsible individual.
Ranked Individuals / The group of individuals, Neophyte thru Guru, who make up the group majority
Sub-group / A group within a main group. For example, within the mathematics group, there exist such groups as "Algebra" and "Calculus".
Individual Titles
Friday, December 02, 2011
6:14 PM
Individual Titles / Individual Titles allows any individual to identify the position any individual has within the specific OS-defined hierarchy.Owner/CEO / CEO of Open Study and Site Owner. Overall in charge. Has full site control and makes final decisions regarding OS Policy. Selects/Appoints Admin and Staff
Staff / Selected individuals who with OS, makes proposals for improving OS. Oversees feedback group.
Admin / Individuals who have full site control and authorization to make useful, technical changes to OS. Makes final decisions regarding selecting moderators and decisions made by moderators.
Moderators / Oversees activity of all groups. Ensures that goal #1 is maintained. Selects qualified Subject Matter Experts as Moderators.
Subject Matter Experts / Highest levels of knowledge in the subject area associated with his or her group. Familiar with most or all subject-related objectives. Has the ability to blog or appoint approved individuals as bloggers. Subject Matter Experts have a not-yet-defined system of ranking/achievement
Bloggers / Creates either subject matter related blogs or OS related blogs and posts them on a blog page organized by subject area. Links to blogs can be posted in the group forums. Bloggers can earn medals/achievements/awards through blogging. Bloggers have a not-yet-defined system of ranking, rewards, and achievement
Ranked Individuals / Neophyte - Legend. Individuals can "achieve" medals and other rewards to advance to higher ranks. Legends are subject matter experts.
Expectations
Friday, December 02, 2011
6:14 PM
Expectations / The expectations for any member of Open StudyPosting Questions / Components Of A Good Question
1. Poster presents a question with the intention of receiving guidance and complete understanding of how solve the problem, not just get answers.
Posting Solutions / Components Of A Good Solution: (If Student Is Present)
1. First post the general steps of how to solve the problem completely.
2. Guide the student through the process of solving the problem step by step.
3. Try to allow the student to do work on his or her own.
4. Explain correct steps with the student if he or she is having trouble with those steps
5. If possible, allow the student to compute or present the final solution
6. Reward the student with a medal if he or she corrects answers their own question.
Components Of A Good Solution (If Student Is Unavailable)
1. First post the general steps of how to solve the problem completely. Remember to include general equations, theorems, laws, and definitions with general steps.
2. Next, present each solution step, explaining in detail how to solve each step, while revealing how to properly transition from a previous step, to each successive step.
3. Check with Subject Matter Expert to ensure that steps are complete and correct as written.
Honor Code Agreement / Every member of OS, regardless of position, should be required to electronically sign an OS-defined Honor Code Agreement where the member agrees to follow certain guidelines. Should be something simple and quick to read. Suggestion: "Ten Commandments Of Open Study"
What is OS / There should exist a page where members can access to and understand things such as "What is Open Study?" "What are the goals Of Open Study?", "What should I expect?" "How can Open Study help me?", "What can I achieve on Open Study?", etc.
Rewards and Achievements
Friday, December 02, 2011
6:14 PM
Medal Sharing / Individuals can always receive credit for complete, correct solutions, but what if an individual goes above and beyond? Such situations should be properly accounted for and the individual should be appropriately recognized for it. There should exist an opportunity to give any member multiple medals, up to say, 10 medals.Subject Matter Expert Credit / When ranked individuals give good solutions worthy or recognition by a Subject Matter Expert, these individuals should be rewarded appropriately. A Subject Matter Expert Credit gives an individual one credit towards being a recognized as a knowledgeable authority in a particular subject of interest. The credit is not just any random credit. It is a credit that corresponds with completion of subject-related objectives which shall be defined discretely for each subject. Members should be allowed to earn such credits by either presenting complete solutions to questions or by creating "mini-blogs" that show how to solve such problems.
Moderator / There should exist a list of written expressed steps that any member can access that details the proper procedures to follow in order to qualify to be a moderator on Open Study
Complete Solutions or Explanations / Complete Solutions or Explanations should be appropriately recognized with medal sharing or receiving Subject Matter Credit.
Electronic Printable Achievement Certificates / Electronic Printable Certificates should be created for anyone who makes a major contribution to Open Study or completes a major achievement, i.e. becoming a subject matter expert
Community Service Certificates / Just a suggestion, something for High School Students. Specifics and details can be figured out over time.
Pre-written Motivational Phrases/Symbols / Motivation is a key component of success. Adding a feature that would allow users to congratulate someone for either helping them solve a problem or for answering their own question would not only be good for open study but it would create a friendlier environment. Having quick access to creative word art or symbology that could be included with such a congratulatory post would allow users to show their appreciation in a more colorful way.
Proposed New Features
Friday, December 02, 2011
6:15 PM
Proposed New Features(By Order Of Importance) / 1. Two Kinds Of Groups (Main and General)
2. Subject Matter Expert
3. Graph-Based Drawing Tool
4. Bi-Monthly Follow-up Feedback Emails
5. Edit Button
6. Skype-Based Communication App
7. Honor Code Agreement
8. Good Solution Button
9. Post-Related Icons
10. Mathematics Sub-Groups
11. Mini-Blogs
12. Objective-Based Subject Matter Tests
1. Main (Subject Matter) Groups / Subject matter groups are main groups such as Mathematics, Computer Science, History, Physics, and Biology, that are not user-generated. These groups are led by a group of subject matter experts dedicated to ensuring that correct, complete solutions to questions are posted.
2. General (User-Generated) Groups / User-Generated Groups are groups that can be created by any member, but that should be appropriately approved by SOMEONE. An individual should be required to submit a proposal for a group that lists the individual applying for the group, the purpose of the group, goals of the group, along with that individual signing an Honor Code Agreement created specifically for these kind of groups
3. Graph-Based Drawing Tool / The graph based drawing tool can be introduced as a tool separate from the drawing tool, or it can be combined with the drawing tool as one combination function. The graph-based drawing tool allows members to create graphs of functions by inputting a formula which is graphed on an xy grid. Members would also be able to draw or write on such graphs as part of presenting solutions to graphing related problems. The ability to type words or numbers on this tool is a necessity.
4. Bi-Monthly Follow-up Feedback / Emails are sent out bi-monthly to all members requesting feedback on OS related topics. The feedback form could have a structure similar to this:
1. “If I was allowed to make improvements to open study, I would do the following...”
2. “If I was allowed to make adjustments to user groups, I would do the following...”
3. “If I was allowed to adjust the current ranking structure, I would do the following...”
5. Edit Button / There's nothing more annoying than when I've already posted a question, only to (instead of simply clicking edit to correct the mistake) have to re-copy the entire post, delete the other post, re-copy the post into the text book, correct the mistake, re-create the formulas so that it fits the format again, then re-submit only to see that someone else has already posted a correct solution in lieu of my mistake. An edit button (no matter what anyone says or thinks they believe) is needed.
6. Skype-Based Communication Tool / What if we as humans couldn't talk? All we could do was write or type. What if we had no mouths and only keyboards, drawing pads, display screens, and whiteboards existed? Well, essentially, you would have one highly inefficient communication system. God gave us mouths and voices to talk so that we could communicate to each other better. Then telephones were created so that we could communicate to each other from long distances. Then cell phones and internet-based phones were created so we could communicate to each other from even longer distances. To make a long story short, a Skype-based tool embedded within open study, is an essential must.
7. Honor Code Agreement / An honor code agreement is an agreement that members of OS agree to follow to ensure that OS functions the way that an online group is supposed to function: orderly, efficiently, effectively, and enjoyably.
8. Good Solution Button / The Good Solution Button is the button that replaced the Good Answer Button because giving complete solutions are more important than just giving a good answer or just any answer.
9. Post Related Icons / A recommendation to associate each post when an icon that identifies the type of post being displayed. A visual icon associated with posts make them more appealing and guides users to only the information that they are interested in or looking for. For example, maybe a user only wants to see just the solution to a question. They can go to that specific post.
Or maybe someone made a mistake in posting the solution and someone else posted a "correction" to a solution. Well, the poster can go immediately from the solution to the corrected solution.
How it should work:
When any user posts a question its default icon will be a question. The user can change this feature as needed depending on the type of post. If this is done, users should avoid using the warning icon to post a question. Warning icons have their purpose and I can already see some students trying to use the warning icon to replace the question icon when posting.
When a member posts a response to a question, its default will be general comment. If the member has an actual solution, they should change the icon from general comment to the appropriate solution icon. This should enable any user to clearly see where a solution is posted.
/ Question Icon / When posting a question, this icon is displayed by default
/ Solution Icon / When posting a solution, this icon needs to be selected
/ General Icon / When responding to a question, this icon is displayed by default
/ Correction Icon / When posting a correction to an incorrect or incomplete solution, this icon should be selected
/ Warning Icon / Warnings or Cautions can be given if necessary
10. Mathematics Sub-Groups / The mathematics group needs fixing. I propose that the mathematics group remains as one group, however, I believe that changes should be made such that when a question is posted, the original poster selects which kind of sub-group the question belongs to: "Basic Math" "Algebra I" "Algebra II" "Trigonometry" "Geometry" "Pre-Calculus" "Calculus I " "Calculus II" "Calculus III" "Probability" "Statistics" "Discrete Math" "Differential Equations". These subgroups should also be accessible within the mathematics group so that if someone wanted to only view "Geometry" questions, they have that option.
11. Mini-Blogs (or Vlogs) / Mini-Blogs are blogs created by users and approved by subject matter experts that provide complete explanations of specific concepts. For example, if someone felt it necessary to create a mini-blog that described how to solve distance, rate, time problems, they could create such a blog or vlog, and once approved, it could be displayed on a special blog page for user-generated content. Individuals can be appropriately recognized for creating this kind of content.
12. Objective-Based Subject Matter Tests / In order for OS members to become subject matter experts, they should be required to pass a comprehensive, objective-based subject matter test, and score at least a 90% or above. We can discuss the details of how exactly this will work in time. Members who do not pass the objective-based test will still be allowed to become Subject Matter Experts overtime by completing objective mastery requirements for that particular subject.