Reference Errors (Interview)

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A big part of our work involves checking, formatting, and creating academic citations, so this interview with Marilyn Oermann is highly relevant for educational editors: McCook, A. (2016, October 4). You cited which paper?? Reference errors are more common than many realize [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://retractionwatch.com/2016/10/04/you-cited-which-paper-reference-errors-are-more-common-than-many-realize/. Oermann found that reference (citation) errors are much more common…

Reflective Practice: eLearning Rubric to Self-Assess Quality of Online Courses

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Reflective practice is a valuable approach to editing. Reflecting critically on our work allows us to learn, innovate, and ultimately improve our courses. eCampusAlberta’s eLearning Rubric can be a valuable tool to self-assess the quality of our work: http://www.ecampusalberta.ca/files/rubricBooklet.pdf. Their rubric offers benchmarks for course design, accessibility, presentation, writing, learning activities, assessments, copyright, learner supports, etc. The checklist has many good ideas for course developers and editors: Some we…

First Nations, Indigenous, or Aboriginal: Which Is Appropriate?

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Bob Joseph’s CBC article addresses how and why the terminology we use may be changing: “One of the key messages I give in my workshops and training: ‘Go with what they are calling themselves.’ […] it’s about showing respect and using the term that individuals and organizations have chosen for themselves.” Joseph, B. (2016, September 21). Indigenous or Aboriginal:…

Interculturalization and Indigenization Academic Goals

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Open Learning’s editing team works in support of TRU’s intercultural and indigenization academic goals. (See, for example, http://www.tru.ca/about/academics/understanding.html.) This article that Gail shared on indigenization may be of interest in our work: Academica Group. (2016, September 19). How indigenization can support students while honouring reconciliation. Retrieved from http://forum.academica.ca/forum/how-indigenization-can-support-students-while-honouring-reconciliation.  

Updates to Course Guide URLs

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Required Hardware, Software, Computer Skills, and Other Resources • change to http://www.tru.ca/distance/services/student-orientation/technical-basics.html Technical Support change two URLs: • “…the correct hardware and software required for your course at http://www.tru.ca/distance/services/student-orientation/technical-basics.html.” • “… go to the IT Service Desk at http://www.tru.ca/distance/contact/helpdesk.html.” Student Café • Change to http://www.tru.ca/distance/services/student-orientation/online-discussions.html

TRU-OL Social Sciences Style Guide 

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Thanks Mona for bringing this up: Some older courses include a link to TRU-OL Social Sciences Style Guide in the course guide. This guide was created to help students write academic papers. It tells how to write citations and gives instructions on the formatting and structure of papers. Unfortunately, the document is out-of-date for MLA and APA citations. For example, it refers to the fifth edition…

Student Outcomes

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Our editing goal is to make learner-centred courses that meet the needs of our students. But how can we know if we have achieved this, since we seldom have the chance to meet Open Learning students face-to-face? One valuable resource is to check student feedback from post-course surveys in Tableau. This can indicate which specific…