Foundations and Assessment of Education/Edition 1/Foundations Table of Contents/Chapter 10/Chapter FAQ/Peer Review Two

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This article has been reviewed by: Acrow005 (talk) 00:28, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

To evaluate this peer review, click on the Discussion tab above.

PEER REVIEW TEMPLATE

• Use this template for your peer reviews.

DIRECTIONS:

• You are required to complete TWO (2) peer reviews.
• Please take your time and provide effective, helpful feedback. Plan to spend 1.5 to 2 hours per review!
• Each peer review is worth 50 points and will be "graded" by the article's author. (Click on Discussion to see the rubric the author will use to grade your peer review.)
• You may only review articles written in the current semester (no articles with BOLD titles)
• As instructed above, be sure to sign your peer review with four tilde ~~~~. You will not receive credit for reviews that are not signed
• To complete this assignment, we suggest having two tabs/windows open in your browser (e.g. Internet Explorer): one with this peer review template and one with the article you are reviewing

• Starting the DAY AFTER the peer reviews are due, you may complete ADDITIONAL peer reviews for EXTRA CREDIT (25 points each). You MAY NOT complete any Extra Credit Reviews until that time.

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Part 1 - Article Components

Learning Target(s)

Answer the following questions regarding the learning targets:

• Is/are the stated learning targets actual learning targets i.e. they state what the reader should know or be able to do after reading the article? Yes
• Is/are the learning target(s) specific? Yes
• Is/are they appropriate and reasonable? (Are they too easy or too difficult for ECI 301 students?) Yes
• Is/are they observable? (You wouldn't have to look inside the readers head to know if they met this target.) Yes
• Does the article provide adequate information for readers to achieve these targets? Yes

Please make a comment about the learning target(s). If you answered "No" to any of the questions above, please explain how the author can improve them.

Comment: The learning targets are well written and easy to understand. After reading the article, readers should easily identify information to verify target achievement.

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Grammar and Mechanics Review

• Please either paste the entire body of the article here or any sections that you feel need to be revised.
• To do this:
  • go back to the module page for the article
  • select "edit this page"
  • highlight all the text, hit control "c" (or "copy" from the edit menu)
  • navigate back to your peer review page
  • click edit this page and paste the text into this window (use control "v" or paste from the edit menu)
  • You may want to have Wikibooks open in two windows/tabs to make this process easier.
• Type your comments in ALL CAPITALS or in another color so the author can easily find them.

The are several coding problems for apostrophes, quotation marks, and other punctuation. Also, check those side bars. Please check your coding to correct these problems.

Examples include:

...report entitled “What Makes a Teacher Effective?" .http://www.ncate.org/public/teachereffective.asp?ch=48 (quotation marks)

That’s a really good question! (apostrophe)

Teachers and parents and administrators (Teachers, parents, and administrators) alike have been asking that question for many years and the truth of the matter is is (remove an 'is') that there is no one answer.

Direct Instruction (instruction) “is a model for teaching that emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks.

Discovery Learning (learning) , according to Rezak ...

Examples of this (replace with discover learning) include interactive and hands on experiences such as planting and growing seeds into plants.

To learn more about direct instruction and discovery learning, visit the following links (make links singular) :

Differentiated Instruction (instruction) is defined as recognizing that...

Cooperative Learning (learning) is defined as ...

common goals." (Berk, 2008) (Don't forget..the period goes AFTER the citation)

Each member of a group is held accountable (accountable) for a portion of the assignment.

how well they worked with each other. (A Guide to Cooperative Learning). (Check this citation, it needs a date.)

Jigsaw, developed by Elliot Aronson, Professor Emeritus at the University of California in Santa Cruz (citation info?) , places students into groups with various social and ethnic differences each with the same goal to succeed, and so the hostility becomes muted as the students are forced to work together to achieve success.

References... Please check your APA formating for your reference list. Specifically, pay attention to article titles (use lowercase letters) and journal titles and volume numbers (in italics).

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Sources

For each source listed in the "References" section of the article, name the type of source (scholarly or popular) and the perspective it provides (research, expert opinion from educator, popular news source, parent organization, personal contact, etc.)

1. . Scholarly, research.
2. . Popular, academic organization.
3. . Popular, news source.
4. . Popular, research.
5. . Popular, research.
6. . Popular, news source.
7. . Scholarly, research.
8. . Scholarly, expert opinion.
9. . Popular, expert opinion.
10. . Scholarly, research.
11. . Scholarly, research.
12. . Scholarly, research.
13. . Popular, research.
14. . Scholarly, research.

List the range of publication years for all sources, e.g. 1998-2006: 1968-2009

Answer the following questions about the sources used in the article:

1. Did the author CITE at least 5 sources? Yes and use at least 2 scholarly sources? Yes
2. Are the citations in APA format? No. Problems were brought to the author's attention in the grammar and mechanics section.
   1. Here are two examples of citations in APA format, one for a paraphrase and one for a quotation:
      1. Constructing a title is both a science and an art, but on one fact all of the experts agree: the title must contain a colon (Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, & Starr, 2007).
      2. Unfortunately impoverished children are often attending “low-performing schools staffed by ill-equipped teachers” (Murnane, 2007, p. 34).
3. Are all the sources listed in APA format in a Reference list labeled "References"? No. Again, problems were brought to the author's attention in the grammar and mechanics section.
   1. Here is an example of a reference written in APA format:
      1. Bailey, J., & Barnum, P. (2001). The colon and its rise to prominence in the American circus. Journal of American Punctuation, 34(5), 2-3.
4. Taken together do the 5 sources represent a good balance of potential references for this topic? Yes
5. Does the author consider potential bias in the sources? Yes
6. Are most of the sources current (less than 5 years old)? Yes

Please make a comment about the sources. If you answered "No" to any of the questions above, please explain how the author can improve.

Comment:

Great variety of resources. Please take some time and look over the APA guidelines for the formating fo citations and references.

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Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does each question assess: knowledge or reasoning (application of knowledge)?
   1. Question 1 knowledge
   2. Question 2 knowledge
   3. Question 3 application
   4. Question 4 application

Answer the following questions about the multiple-choice questions.

1. Are there 4 multiple-choice questions? Yes
2. Do they each have four answer choices (A-D)? Yes
3. Is there a single correct (not opinion-based) answer for each question? Yes
4. Do the questions assess the learning target? Yes
5. Are the questions appropriate and reasonable (not too easy and not too difficult)? Yes
6. Are the foils (the response options that are NOT the answer) reasonable i.e. they are not very obviously incorrect answers? Yes
7. Are the response options listed in alphabetical order? No
8. Are correct answers provided and listed BELOW all the questions? Yes

Please make a comment about the multiple-choice questions. If you answered "No" to any of the questions above, please explain how the author can improve the question/s.

Comment: The questions are well written and address the learning targets. For each question, the answers could be place in alphabetical order.

Part 2 - Ratings

LIST and EXPLAIN your rating for each of the four criteria.

• Importance:

I rated this article 5 for importance because the article presents information relative to the topic that is applicable new teachers. New teachers could use this research to assist them in honing their own teaching methods.

• Interest:

I rated this article 4.5 on interest because the article layout, side bars, and photo make this an appealing read. Getting the reader's attention is half the battle! Plus, I love the old-school B/W photo...makes me think of a one room schoolhouse!

• Credibility:

I rated this article 3 for credibility becausethough there were several excellent sources, citation and reference formatting needs work.

• Writing skill:

I rated this article 4.5 on writing because the article was well-written and clearly organized which made it easy to understand. The questions clearly addressed the author's learning targets.

HIGHLIGHT SPECIFIC POINTS IN THE RUBRIC that apply to the article.

To do this: Highlight sections with the cursor and use the BOLD icon above OR type ''' (3 apostrophes) before and after the text you want to make bold

Wiki Article Rubric

criteria	5	4	3	2	1
How important was the information presented on this topic to you as a teacher education student?	Covers key ideas crucial for future teachers to know Based on researched information. Highly relevant to current educational practice (*this description may be less applicable for some topics such as history of education) Provides an excellent overview of the topic including relevant research, educational practice, laws and litigation. Includes in-depth discussion of at least a few selected key issues.	Includes ideas relevant to future teachers Mostly based on researched information. Applicable to today’s schools Provides a good general overview with relevant information and discussion of a few key ideas	A couple useful points; some irrelevant information About half of the information is the author’s opinion. Some out-dated information; may not reflect current practice Good information is included but the paper yields a partial /incomplete understanding of the topic or key issues	One useful point A few facts but mostly the author’s opinion. Most of the information is irrelevant in today’s schools. Focused on unimportant subtopics OR overly general with few specifics. Important information is missing.	Information is not relevant to future teachers. Information is entirely the author’s opinion. The information is obsolete. Only irrelevant details or common knowledge. Lacks any substantive information.
criteria	5	4	3	2	1
How interesting was the article to read?	Sidebar includes new information that was motivating to read/view Visuals (headings, colors, fonts, pictures, etc.) enhance the article by making it easier or more inviting to read Multiple perspectives are considered and discussed Mostly new information/ideas Insightful interpretation & analysis are evident throughout the article; a clearly stated conclusion synthesizes all of the material presented. Points are clearly made and elaborated on with compelling examples.	Sidebar includes new information that enhances understanding of the topic Visuals add to the article At least two perspectives were presented About half of the information/ideas are new Interpretation and analysis is provided for 3-4 points in the article; a reasonable conclusion based on this information is stated Some good points are made and explained.	Sidebar includes new information related to the topic. Visuals are included but have minimal effect One interesting or new perspective is presented A couple (2-3) new ideas or pieces of information Interpretation/ analysis is included for a few (1-2) individual sections, but there is not a conclusion that synthesizes the information presented. Points are made but may not always be adequately supported or explained.	Sidebar repeats what is already in the article Visuals are somewhat distracting or not included Only the “typical” view or one biased perspective is presented. One new idea or bit of information Information presented with minimal analysis or interpretation; no conclusion or the conclusion is not based on the information presented At least one clear point is made and supported.	No side bar included. Visuals are offensive and completely detract from the content No perspective is acknowledged. Nothing new. No analysis or interpretation included No clear points are made or points appear pasted from other sources without any explanation.
criteria	5	4	3	2	1
How credible do you think the information is?	Required sources are properly cited and included in a reference list in APA format. Information from diverse sources representing multiple perspectives is included. Several reputable and current sources are cited. The author acknowledges potential bias in sources where appropriate. Author clearly identifies his own ideas, biases and opinions	Required sources are included; a couple of formatting errors Information from a variety of sources is included. Most sources are reasonably reputable; bias is acknowledged in others. It is clear when the author is presenting his own opinion; he doesn’t try to pass if off as fact.	Required sources are included; APA format is not used or has many errors. A variety of sources is listed but the information primarily reflects a single viewpoint. Sources are reasonable. The author occasionally (1-2 times) states his own opinion as fact.	Only 4 sources are cited/listed in the references or only 1 scholarly source was used Sources lack diversity OR information from divergent sources is only superficially mentioned. Some sources are untrustworthy or biased and not acknowledged as such. Author routinely (3-4 times) states her opinion as fact, ignores own biases.	Missing two or more sources OR sources used but not cited or listed. All sources and information reflect a single viewpoint. Most sources are untrustworthy or biased and not acknowledged as such. The entire article is biased and opinion-based without acknowledgment of this perspective.
criteria	5	4	3	2	1
How well do you think this article was written?	Multiple-choice questions (2 application & 2 knowledge) align with the learning targets, assess key points, and are written according to guidelines (see R4) Specific, appropriate and observable learning targets are stated; the content is clearly organized to help the reader achieve these goals Captures and maintains attention throughout All or almost all of the cited information is introduced, elaborated on and explained Writing is organized, easy to read, and contains few to no mechanical errors.	Multiple-choice questions (2 application & 2 knowledge) align with the learning targets, and assess key points. Specific and reasonable learning targets are stated; the content aligns with these goals Captures attention initially and periodically throughout Most of the cited information is discussed or explained. The article flowed pretty well and there were just a few mechanical errors.	Multiple-choice questions (2 application & 2 knowledge) assess key points Reasonable learning targets are stated; the content relates to these goals Parts of the article capture attention About half of the cited information is discussed A few areas were hard to follow, confusing or oddly organized. There were a few distracting errors.	4 multiple-choice questions are included. Learning targets generally related to the content are stated At least one part of the article is interesting Information is “pasted” together with minimal explanation. Organization was difficult to follow, sentences were awkward and/or there were several distracting errors.	Questions are missing or not multiple-choice. Learning target is missing or unrelated to content or is/are not actual learning targets Nothing in the article grabs the reader’s attention Article is entirely “pasted” together from other sources. Poor organization, sentence structure and/or grammatical errors made it very difficult to understand the content.

Part 3 - "2+2"

List TWO compliments and TWO suggestions about the article content

• Hints:
  • Focus on the work, not the person
  • Describe "There is...", "I see.." rather than judge "You didn't..."

Compliments

1. The article is visually appealing because of its layout and the addition of sidebars and a photo. It is easy to match information with the learning targets, and provides clear, concise examples when needed.
2. Key terms are defined and supported with research, making them easier to understand.

Suggestions

1. While there are several excellent resources, please take time to review APA formatting for citations and references.
2. I enjoy the layout of your article. To make it more visually appealing, you could take the bold off of the text to make it a less "aggressive" read.

You can make compliments and suggestions that relate to specific areas of the paper or to the paper in general. I suggest a mixture of both. Focus on what's most important. Of course, you can also include more than two suggestions and more than two compliments. The goal is to help the author improve his/her article.