World History Course Development Update

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Web HyperHistory.net

UPDATE: April 15, 2008

Dear Evaluator:

This report updates site progress on the development of my history courses. The site is dynamic as pages continue to be updated. There were 28 students accepted during the 2002-2003 school year and 50 during 2003-2004. In November 2004 the site averaged 3738 unique visitors per day from around the world and contained over 700 HTML files (200+ biographies, 400+ essays), and over 300 links to supplementary resources. In November 2006, the site averaged 4900 visitors and contianed over 1000 HTML files.

Each course is taught from a Biblical perspective and is scholarly enough to prepare diligent students to pass the Advanced Placement World History Exam. (Last year's students sccored an average of 4 points on the five point scale. ) Course content includes the collegeboard.org recommendations as summarized on my AP World History Syllabus with consideration of the World History Standards for California Public Schools.

Implementation:
Content is delivered over the Internet with on site and off site information. In preparation for the AP exam, students read and write the three types of essays required by the exam. These are the "Change over Time", "Comparative", and "Document Based Question". As part of the writing process, I edit with the student to refine the content and style of essays based on AP Rubrics. On site are scored essays and related content (biographies, maps, graphs...), and multiple choice quizzes. Quiz items are in multiple-choice format in preparation for the 70 multiple choice questions on the AP exam. Questions include the interpretation of graphics such as charts, maps, photos and political cartoons.

Although all course material is available online, students are advised to have access to an encyclopedia, atlas, almanac and perhaps any other world history textbook for research; other recommendations are included. Content is presented through links to insightful off site and on site world history articles. Assessment is made through online quizzes over readings, submitted essays scored to rubric standards, and threaded discussion with other students. A CD ROM is available for those with access challenges. A DVD containing multimedia lectures, songs, and other high bandwidth items is in production.

Sequence:
In asynchronous mode, students take this online course at their own pace, reading essays and visiting assigned sites as their priorities allow. Students can communicate with the teacher and each other via e-mail, and threaded discussion groups. In synchronous mode, there are scheduled events such as weekly video conferencing and appropriate deadlines for course completion.

Pedagogical Design:
The pedagogical goals of this course are:

To base course content on state and national standards.
To evaluate student performance with predefined rubrics matched to course objectives.
To offer clearly defined learning objectives, structured assignment schedule, and objective assessments.
To offer a variety of interdisciplinary activities on-line and off-line.
To develop complete online resources and keep the cost of off-line materials minimal.
To encourage frequent student-student collaboration through on-line discussion groups.
To encourage frequent student-teacher communication, adjusting challenges for individual needs.
To provide timely, objective feedback on student's progress toward course objectives.
To enhance research and critical thinking skills as students analyze and synthesize patterns and events in world history.
To publish selections from the student portfolio that demonstrates excellence in the expressive process.
To maintain personal expertise in the course subject matter and in the implementation of a multimedia, online environment.
The comprehensive scope and sequence of World History assignments continues to be developed. Although there are still links and interactive lessons being added, this course remains open for enrollment. The FAQs provide an informative starting page to explore this web site.

Thank you for your consideration,

Mr. N.
Oregon State Certified: Secondary Social Studies


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