Assignment 3 | Critical Analysis (Individual)

The purpose of Assignment 3 is to bring together your learning in this course and demonstrate your ability to critically read and write about research as presented by the authors in an academic article. There are two parts to this assignment:

For part one, you will select one article from the Unit 3 section of the readings list titled: Learning-Theory Articles and provide an essay describing the core elements of the theory as discussed in the article, how it informs or underpins the design of learning, and some of the key perspectives the author shares about the theory.

For part two, you will select one article from the Unit 3 section of the readings list titled: Research Articles and provide critical analysis for the article. As we have discussed in class, a critical analysis of a research article provides the reader with a critical summary and discussion of a research study as presented by the authors of the article (who are also the authors of the research). Your summary/discussion should include reference to the research question; a summary of the context for the study; an overview of the  literature review that the author’s conducted; the theory that frames the research (if applicable); whether the research was primary or secondary; a brief description of the research methods employed in the study (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed); a summary of the findings of the study and what the results indicate or infer.  Your critical comment should be integrated into your summary/discussion and based on our class discussion of what a critical comment entails.

Specific Requirements:

You may not select articles that you used for Assignment 2. Parts 1 and 2 each constitute a separate essay; however, both essays are to be submitted in one document titled “Assignment 3”.  Please put the citation for the journal article in APA format at the top of each essay. Since you are writing about the selected article, it is not expected that you will bring in outside references, but if you do, list them in APA format at the end of each essay. The essay for Part 1 should be approximately 750 words and the essay for Part 2 approximately 1,000 words. Your paper must be double spaced and you are expected to adhere to APA standards for formatting, citations, and references.

Refer to Unit 3 of the Readings and Resources page in Moodle for the complete list of readings for this assignment.

Submit: To the Assignment 3 dropbox in Moodle.

Value: 40%

Rubric for learning theory essay
Provide an essay describing the core elements of the theory as discussed in the article, how it informs or underpins the design of learning, and some of the key perspectives the author shares about the theory.

Course Learning Outcome/Assessment Criteria Excellent
(A+ to A)
Proficient
(A- to B+)
Satisfactory
(B to B-)
Unsatisfactory
(F)
Citation and APA format All citations and APA format are correct. Most citations and APA formatting are correct. Some citations and APA formatting are correct. Citations and APA formatting are not correct.
Style, Grammar, Spelling All grammar and spelling are correct. Most grammar and spelling are correct. Some grammar and spelling are correct. Significant spelling and grammar errors.
Learning Outcome A
Describes the meaning and importance of research.Assessment Criteria

  • Presents statements that are backed up with valid evidence.
  • Shows evidence of digital literacy skills.
  • Identifies terms and concepts important to research.
  • Demonstrates ability to synthesize, as well as summarize information.
  • Demonstrates appropriate writing for context and audience.
The core elements of the learning theory are described accurately.

Details regarding how the learning theory informs or underpins the design of learning are described accurately.

All statements are backed up with evidence

.

The core elements of the learning theory are mostly described accurately.

Details regarding how the learning theory informs or underpins the design of learning are mostly described accurately.

Most statements are backed up with evidence

.

The core elements of the learning theory are somewhat described accurately.

Details regarding how the learning theory informs or underpins the design of learning are described somewhat accurately.

Some statements are backed up with evidence

.

The core elements of the learning theory are not described accurately.

Details regarding how the learning theory informs or underpins the design of learning are not described accurately.

Statements regarding are not backed up with evidence

.

Learning Outcome C
Explains different forms of research inquiry and their applicability and use.Assessment Criteria

  • Identifies an appropriate cross section of forms of research inquiry and provides appropriate citations to explain each form.
  • Searches for, identifies and challenges assumptions in own, peer, or professional opinion.
  • Explicitly and critically evaluates relevant assigned or available information; evidence and argument for reliability and authority.
  • Collects data and information in a manner that provides a comprehensive picture of perspectives.
  • Contributes to discussions and responds to questions and feedback from class members, sharing information to advance the collective knowledge of the team and/or class.
Key argument(s) about relevance to learning and technology are described accurately

Evidence or application of the theory is described accurately

.

Key argument(s) about relevance to learning and technology are mostly described accurately

Evidence or application of the theory is mostly described accurately

.

Key argument(s) about relevance to learning and technology are somewhat described accurately

Evidence or application of the theory is somewhat described accurately

.

Key argument(s) about relevance to learning and technology are not described accurately

Evidence or application of the theory is not described accurately

.

Rubric for critical analysis
Provide a critical essay including discussion of the research question; a summary of the context; overview of the literature review; the theory that frames the research (if applicable); whether the research was primary or secondary; description of the research methods;a summary of the findings and what the results indicate or infer.

Course Learning Outcome/Assessment Criteria Excellent
(A+ to A)
Proficient
(A- to B+)
Satisfactory
(B to B-)
Unsatisfactory
(F)
Citation and APA format All citations and APA format are correct. Most citations and APA formatting are correct. Some citations and APA formatting are correct. Few citations and APA formatting are correct.
Style, Grammar, Spelling All grammar and spelling are correct. Most grammar and spelling are correct. Some grammar and spelling are correct. Significant spelling and grammar errors.
Learning Outcome A
Describes the meaning and importance of research.Assessment Criteria

  • Presents statements that are backed up with valid evidence.
  • Shows evidence of digital literacy skills.
  • Identifies terms and concepts important to research.
  • Demonstrates ability to synthesize, as well as summarize information.
  • Demonstrates appropriate writing for context and audience.
The research question(s) are identified accurately.

The context of each article is described accurately.

The theory that frames the research (if applicable) is described accurately.

The findings of each article are stated accurately and include what the student infers from the results.

.

The research question(s) are mostly identified accurately.

The context of each article is mostly described accurately.

The theory that frames the research (if applicable) is mostly described accurately.

The findings of each article are mostly stated accurately and include what the student infers from the results

.

The research question(s) are identified somewhat accurately.

The context of each article is described somewhat accurately.

The theory that frames the research (if applicable) is described somewhat accurately.

The findings of each article are stated somewhat accurately and include what the student infers from the results

.

The research question(s) are not identified accurately.

The context of each article is not described accurately.

The theory that frames the research (if applicable) is not described accurately.

The findings of each article are not stated accurately and do not include what the student infers from the results

.

Learning Outcome B
Develops arguments backed with evidence.Assessment Criteria

  • Provides evidence of argumentation; it is easy for the reader to identify the argument and the information to back up the argument.
  • Demonstrates evidence of digital literacy.
  • Provides evidence of effective collaboration.
  • Contributes in a clear and relevant manner.
  • Uses images and other media appropriately.
  • Organizes material coherently and concisely; it is easy for the reader to identify main points and follow the sequence of ideas and logic of the argument.
  • Presents legible, error-free material and conforms to APA formatting and citation conventions.
  • Participates in individual and team class activities in a manner that advances construction of collective knowledge within the course.
The literature review is described accurately and backed up with evidence. The literature review is mostly described accurately and backed up with evidence. The literature review is described somewhat accurately and backed up with evidence. The literature review is not described accurately and not backed up with evidence
Learning Outcome C
Explains different forms of research inquiry and their applicability and use.Assessment Criteria

  • Identifies an appropriate cross section of forms of research inquiry and provides appropriate citations to explain each form.
  • Searches for, identifies and challenges assumptions in own, peer, or professional opinion.
  • Explicitly and critically evaluates relevant assigned or available information; evidence and argument for reliability and authority.
  • Collects data and information in a manner that provides a comprehensive picture of perspectives.
  • Contributes to discussions and responds to questions and feedback from class members, sharing information to advance the collective knowledge of the team and/or class.
Identification of primary or secondary research is correct.

Description of the type of research methods used is correct

Identification of primary or secondary research is mostly correct.

Description of the type of research methods used is mostly correct

Identification of primary or secondary research is somewhat correct.

Description of the type of research methods used is somewhat correct

Identification of primary or secondary research is not correct.

Description of the type of research methods used is not correct.