Simon Fraser University

• Big Idea
• Schedule
• Knowledge Forum

Your major writing assignment for the course will be a 12-page (double spaced) paper that explores in depth one of the traditions of research and development on the syllabus. Each tradition is associated with a particular kind of technology for learning (e.g. LOGO, Cognitive Tutors), but equally important is the set of ideas about learning that motivated the researchers to design the technology they did, and that shape its use and evaluation.

There is a lot to know about each of these traditions that we will not have time to cover in class, and you will get to choose which tradition is of greatest interest to you personally. For each tradition I have recommended some additional reading to get you started, but depending on the focus you choose for your paper you may also need to spend time in the library and on the Net, finding additional resources yourself. Some useful research aids are described on the course web site.

Your paper is meant to be more than a summary of sources. We've all written enough book reports for one lifetime! Your submission should, instead, offer a reasoned and persuasive view of what you've read and experienced. You can choose any angle you like on the material, but at a minimum, your paper will have to address the following questions, which may not be directly addressed in the resources you collect:

• What "big idea" (or ideas) about learning drives this tradition? How do the big ideas behind this tradition differ from those that drive other traditions?
• What sort of "track record" does this idea have? Give a brief history of the work done.
• Based on this track record, what do you think the future of this tradition will be, or should be?
• What general lessons does this tradition offer to educational technologists about doing "good" design?

You should organize your paper in the following major sections (using headings), which are worth the following proportion of your grade:

Description of the tradition and its "big ideas" about learning	30%
Brief history of work done in the tradition	20%
Predictions and/or suggestions for the future	20%
Explanation of general lessons for educational technologists	20%
Overall clarity of presentation, effective use of English, and format requirements met	10%

 

As you can see, quite a few marks are allocated to speculative portions of the paper, so I am expecting you to think beyond your sources and offer me a coherent argument for your view of the tradtion you are focusing on. The more persuasive I find your argument, the better your grade will be. To ensure that you have a fair chance at the grade you want, you will get an opportunity to test your arguments on me by submitting a draft of your paper part way through the semester. You will receive written feedback on this draft, both from me and your fellow students (see below).

Your final paper should be no more than 12 pages in length (12 point times, double spaced, one inch margins), not counting references. This may not sound like much space to fill; but if you are doing good quality work you should find yourself writing 12 or 15 pages, and having to edit down to fit within the limit. Marks will be deducted if you go over the required length.

For your references, you should use endnotes in APA format. Here is a handy on-line guide to the APA citation format.

Further details on this assignment will be discussed in class, along with this sample paper from a previous offering of the course.