Undergraduate / Bachelors

Submitted by Katrina Stierholz on December 12th, 2018
Short Description: 

Students learn about innovation, the distribution of innovation across the country, and what can be patented. Working in groups, they examine patents and consider the changes the patents brought. They then use a mapping program and interpret data from that map to consider how local resources promote innovation.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Lesson plan (pdf)displayed 1477 times153.12 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to • define innovation, • define patents as protection of intellectual property, • explain how patents promote entrepreneurship, • interpret a map of patents assignments by county, and • explain the relationship between education, research institutions, and the frequency of patents and innovation.

Information Literacy concepts:

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Florida, Richard. “The Geography of Innovation.” Citylab blog post, September 2017; https://www.citylab.com/life/2017/08/the-geography-of-innovation/530349/

Assessment or Criteria for Success
Assessment Short Description: 
Assessment is in lesson plan.
Suggested Citation: 
Stierholz, Katrina. "Demonstrating the Distribution of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Using Patent Data and a Mapping Tool: GeoFRED® Marks the Spot." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/demonstrating-distribution-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-using-patent-data-and-mapping.
Submitted by Carolyn Caffrey on December 10th, 2018
Short Description: 

This assignment was created for a credit bearing course for first year students. It's designed to help students take what they've learned about algorithmic bias from the course lectures and readings and apply it to their own search practices. They also critically analyze search results for advertisements and compare DuckDuckGo to Google. [You could also look at this assignment as an adaptation of Jacob Berg's wonderful, "Googling Google," assignment at https://www.projectcora.org/assignment/googling-google-search-engines-ma... ]

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
analyzingsearchengines_assignment.docxdisplayed 1477 times534.31 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to: -identify advertisements within a list of search results -discuss the role advertising plays in how search results are ordered -describe how search results are impacted by human biases in their ranking algorithms

Discipline: 
Multidisciplinary

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This assignment occurred early in the semester as we discussed algorithms, bias, and filter bubbles. Students were asked to draw on class discussions and lectures on page rank, the history of search engines, and filter bubbles. Other assigned material going into this assignment the IRL podcast episode "Social Bubble Bath" and Eli Pariser's TED talk on filter bubbles. Students commented that they enjoyed this assignment, weren't aware that Google was an advertising company, and were unfamiliar with DuckDuckGo. The course itself was designed and taught by me (a librarian) as part of our first year seminar program.

Assessment or Criteria for Success
Assessment Short Description: 
Assignments were evaluated using the rubric from the attached assignment sheet. In general, students had difficulty identifying all of the advertisements. While students had no difficulty analyzing gender bias or racism in the image results, they did struggle with the phrase "god" in identifying how the results may privilege particular narratives and identities over others.
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Be careful with the choose your own image search --- several students picked topics such as our institution name or vague concepts like "music" which didn't as clearly illustrate the course concepts. In the future I would remove the choose your own option for the image component. This assignment was designed with first year students in mind.

Suggested Citation: 
Caffrey, Carolyn . "Analyzing search engines: What narrative is told through the algorithm." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/analyzing-search-engines-what-narrative-told-through-algorithm.
Submitted by Michelle Keba Knecht on December 10th, 2018
Short Description: 

Did fake news affect the presidential election? Do websites purposely publish misleading stories? In this workshop, learn how to evaluate the trustworthiness of news stories while responsibly sharing reliable information.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Fake News Harmless or Disruptive Lesson Outline.pdfdisplayed 1942 times216.03 KB
Keba Fighting Fake News Presentation SEFLIN Conference 2018.pptxdisplayed 1326 times9.92 MB
Learning Outcomes: 

After completing the library instruction session, students will be able to:
• evaluate the trustworthiness of the information in news stories
• explain the ethical responsibility of readers to evaluate information sources

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 
Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 
Suggested Citation: 
Keba Knecht, Michelle. "Fake News: Harmless or Disruptive?." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/fake-news-harmless-or-disruptive.
Submitted by Michelle Keba Knecht on December 10th, 2018
Short Description: 

Are you finding reliable sources for your research papers and projects? Has your professor asked you to use scholarly sources? What is a scholarly source anyway? In this workshop, learn how to critically evaluate the information you find through books, articles, and websites.

**This lesson plan was adapted from "Establishing and Applying Evaluation Criteria" p. 74 -78 in Teaching Information Literacy Threshold Concepts Lesson Plans for Librarians, edited by Bravender, McClure, and Schaub (2015).**

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Authority is Constructed and Contextual Lesson Plan.pdfdisplayed 2805 times196.92 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

After completing the library instruction session, students will be able to:
• produce criteria for evaluating information sources in order to cultivate a skeptical stance and a self-awareness of their own biases and world views.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 
Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 
Suggested Citation: 
Keba Knecht, Michelle. "Who’s an Authority? Recognizing Scholarly Sources in the Library." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/who%E2%80%99s-authority-recognizing-scholarly-sources-library.
Submitted by Alexandria Chisholm on December 6th, 2018
Short Description: 

This workshop delivers an action-oriented introduction to personal data privacy designed for new college students. The session is designed to reveal the systems in place to collect and analyze online behavioral data, and to unveil the real-world consequences of online profiling in contexts like sentiment shaping, consumer preferences, employment, healthcare, personal finance, and law enforcement. In lieu of a prescriptive approach, students analyze case studies to observe how online behaviors impact real-world opportunities and reflect on the benefits and risks of technology use to develop purposeful online behaviors and habits that align with their individual values. Developing knowledge practices regarding privacy and the commodification of personal information and embodying the core library values of privacy and intellectual freedom, the workshop promotes a proactive rather than reactive approach and presents a spectrum of privacy preferences across a range of contexts in order to respect students’ autonomy and agency in personal technology use.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
PersonalDataPlan_PennStateBerks.pdfdisplayed 1427 times622.24 KB
PrivacyWorkshopLessonPlan_Chisholm_Hartman-Caverly.pdfdisplayed 1141 times189.3 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Students will be able to: 1. recognize how their personal data and metadata are collected, along with the potential implications of such data collection 2. assess how their data is shared and make informed, intentional choices to safeguard their privacy 3. identify privacy issues facing our society 4. describe the positive case for privacy as a human right fundamental to individual well-being

Discipline: 
Multidisciplinary

Information Literacy concepts:

Individual or Group:

Collaborators: 
Suggested Citation: 
Chisholm, Alexandria. "Privacy Workshop." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/privacy-workshop.
Submitted by Nataly Blas on November 28th, 2018
Short Description: 

The Business Task Cards is a 1-hour team-based activity. The activity was created for a business management course that needed to complete a business opportunity project. The activity requires students to complete four tasks: 1) Find company information, 2) Find a company's income statement, 3) Find articles on a company's management strategy, and 4) Find current industry trends that will impact the company. A print and online version of the activity is provided.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Business Task Cards Activity.pdfdisplayed 1476 times402.96 KB
Template for the print task cards.displayed 1269 times44.74 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

LO #1: Students will match information needs to business search tools in order to locate relevant company information. LO #2: Students will recognize the information type and evaluate how it meets their information need.

Discipline: 
Business

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This activity was used for an upper-division business management course.

Assessment or Criteria for Success
Assessment Short Description: 
Print version - collect task cards at the end of the course for assessment purposes. Online version - student submissions are collected via Google Forms.
Suggested Citation: 
Blas, Nataly. "Business Task Cards Activity." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/business-task-cards-activity.
Submitted by Kirsten Hansen on November 20th, 2018
Short Description: 

In this assignment, students are given a range of newspaper article about science topics and work in pairs to find the original research article that the newspaper article is based on in the library databases. Students then assess when they might use an original research article vs when they might use a well-written newspaper article. After the activity, the librarian gave short lecture about online fact checking based on Mike Caulfield's excellent fast and frugal fact checking strategies. If time allows, students can do some of the activities that Caulfield lists in his textbook.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Powerpoint presentation to accompany the assignmentdisplayed 1576 times93.52 KB
Outline of the assignmentdisplayed 1212 times17.73 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Frames: Authority is constructed and contextual/Information creation as a process Students will be able to: • recognize that information may be perceived differently based on the format in which it is packaged • Assess the fit between a source’s creation process and the particular information need • Assess the fit between a source’s argument, methodology, and authority and the particular information need • Use research tools and indicators of authority to determine the credibility of sources, understanding the elements that might temper this credibility I will know students have achieved the learning outcomes: Students wil be able to move “backwards” from popular science articles (i.e. NPR, NYT, Scientific American and the like) to the original research articles on which the articles are based. Students will then articulate strengths/weaknesses of the types of articles and when they might use them.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

The genesis of this activity was a class about why people do or do not believe scientific conclusions. Mechanically, it can be used to help students practice moving from information “in the wild” as reported by the media to the original research articles. Conceptually, it can be used to help students evaluate how well or poorly scholarly research is reported by the press and to understand that different formats are useful at different times, and that different types of authority (reporter vs researchers) are constructed and contextual.) This activity could be used in any class where students need to learn how to find the original scholarly articles that give birth to newspaper or other media articles.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

If you are not very familiar with a subject area, it may be challenging to find appropriate articles for this assignment. In my case, the professor found the articles we used and it worked out well.

Suggested Citation: 
Hansen, Kirsten. "From newspaper article to research article: backtracking to find original research." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/newspaper-article-research-article-backtracking-find-original-research.
Submitted by Tom Rankin on November 20th, 2018
Short Description: 

The purpose of this Business Benchmark assignment is to professionally present (3-5 minutes) a new idea to improve and aspect of the college. This presentation has no mandated materials, students are however expected to provide an excellent, well explained, supported and presented new idea. Your goal is to inspire your audience to take a specific action or position.

AttachmentSize
BUS110 Benchmark.docxdisplayed 922 times26.2 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

• Demonstrate applied benchmarking in a business setting.
• Demonstrate presentation skills.

Discipline: 
Business

Individual or Group:

Tags:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

Used in one section of BUS-110 during 2018SP.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

Entire BB site rich with resources is available upon request.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Much time an effort on the part of faculty, however it provides a rich learning experience.

Suggested Citation: 
Rankin, Tom. "Student Applied Benchmark for Introduction to Business." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/student-applied-benchmark-introduction-business.
Submitted by Tom Rankin on November 17th, 2018
Short Description: 

This project has four Business case elements. Each element is related to one of the student course outcomes. Each case will require students to complete the following:
Read all elements of each case, including exhibits.
Write a one page summary for each case answering the questions in each case, for a total of a 4 page report.
The report should be submitted as one consolidated report addressing all four cases below.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Business Form Casedisplayed 1484 times304.22 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Course Student Outcomes:
1. Identify various forms of business organizations.
2. Define business vocabulary.
3. Describe the basics of business ethics.
4. Explain basic management principles.

Discipline: 
Business

Information Literacy concepts:

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

Introduction to Business Class (new for Spring 2019). Each case aligns to one of our four course learning objectives. The cases ideally would be staged during the course to align to when that learning objective was covered. Each case requires a one page summary which the instructor can have 4 individual submissions or combine into one 4 page report towards the end of the semester.

Assessment or Criteria for Success
(e.g. rubric, guidelines, exemplary sample paper, etc.): 
AttachmentSize
BUS 110 Spring 2019 Default Project Rubric_excel_.pdfdisplayed 1049 times412.29 KB
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Since this is new for 2019SP, we are still learning the pitfalls.

Suggested Citation: 
Rankin, Tom. "Four Cases aligned to Course Student Outcomes." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/four-cases-aligned-course-student-outcomes.
Submitted by Tom Rankin on November 17th, 2018
Short Description: 

Ready to be an entrepreneur? Your final project is to create a business/product and sell it to your classmates, Shark Tank style! You will complete this assignment individually OR with a partner and your classmates will play the role of the Sharks!
Your company can offer a physical product or a service, but it should not just be a copy of something already offered … BE CREATIVE! Think outside of the box …

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
SharkTankProject (1).docxdisplayed 6827 times17.01 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Presentation Skills, Organization Skills,

Discipline: 
Business

Individual or Group:

Tags:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

Utilized in Introduction to Business Class in one class in 2018FA.
Students will need to include the following in your project:
Part 1: A typed 1-page summary/outline about your company including:
1. the company’s name and objectives
2. the company’s mission
3. the company’s basic details (company location, senior management’s names and roles, when founded, logo and slogan, etc.)
4. a brief description of the product or service
5. how you came up with the idea for your product/service
6. the top 3 problems your product/service are addressing

Part 2: A 10- slide presentation on your entire project – rubric outline on back of this paper. You can use PowerPoint or Google Slides, but you must submit a copy of the PowerPoint in blackboard (link will be provided in blackboard) by 10:00 am on November 5th.
Students will need to include the following in your project:
Part 1: A typed 1-page summary/outline about your company including:
1. the company’s name and objectives
2. the company’s mission
3. the company’s basic details (company location, senior management’s names and roles, when founded, logo and slogan, etc.)
4. a brief description of the product or service
5. how you came up with the idea for your product/service
6. the top 3 problems your product/service are addressing

Part 2: A 10- slide presentation on your entire project – rubric outline on back of this paper. You can use PowerPoint or Google Slides, but you must submit a copy of the PowerPoint in blackboard (link will be provided in blackboard) due date.

Assessment or Criteria for Success
Assessment Short Description: 
PowerPoint Presentation Rubric: 10 points each slide = 100 point project Slide #1: Cover Slide (include your company name OR logo & your name) Slide #2: Company Name and Objectives (remember to use bullet notes) Slide #3: Company Mission Statement (sentence(s) allowed for this slide) Slide #4: Basic Details About Company (company location, senior management’s names and roles, when founded, logo and slogan, etc.) Slide #5: The Marketing Mix: Product, Place, Price, Promotion (use bullet notes) Slide #6: How You Came Up with the Idea for your product/service (use bullet notes) Slide #7: Top 3 problems your product/service are addressing (use bullet notes) Slide #8: A compelling message that states why your product/service is different than competitors (make sure you are specific – give details) Slide #9: Conclusion Slide (quick overview of 4-5 main points of your project) Slide #10: Complete the Sale with a powerful closing sales pitch that answers “Why is this product worth buying?” (this will make or break the Sharks investing in your project) Remember to include pictures and other graphics, not just plain text on slides
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Consumes a lot of class time to prepare.

Suggested Citation: 
Rankin, Tom. "Shark Tank ." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2018. https://projectcora.org/assignment/shark-tank.

Pages