Good Point!
By Andy Morrall
English Language Centre
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
5 June 2009
Abstract and Biodata
Abstract
Participants will be introduced to an online program that aims to
develop students‘ critical thinking skills, called "Good Point!", which
is available to the public at http://goodpoint.elc.polyu.edu.hk The
program will be explained and demonstrated, and then participants
will be able to use the program to post their own discussion topic,
comment on other participants' topics and evaluate them, and finally
use the topics and comments to construct an academic essay or
presentation. Participants should come to the workshop with a
controversial topic in mind that they can use in the program.
Biodata
Andy Morrall is a Senior Lecturer at the English Language Centre of
the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is the IT Coordinator and
his interests are in autonomy and e-learning.
Overview of the Program
Problems:
• Students need to write academic essays related to their studies
after only 7 weeks at university – not enough knowledge
• Students need to give academic presentations
Solution:
• A program that scaffolds students in:
- finding information
- sharing information
- analysing that information
- prioritising the information
- presenting the information in essay or oral form
• The resulting program: Good Point!
Overview of the Program
Selecting a discussion
List of Points View
Pros and Cons View
Topic Map View
Slideshow View
Essay Planner
About this program
Aim: The aim of this program is to help you plan your essay
about "Evolution cannot satisfactorily explain our
world". It will:
1. help you to plan your essay
2. help you to write your essay, including the Introduction,
Body, and Conclusion.
3. help you to proof-read your essay
4. produce an essay, which you can save and print out
using your browser's File menu.
5. And speak your essay to you. You can choose a male
or female voice.
Presentation Planner
Aim: The aim of this program is to help you plan your
presentation about "Evolution cannot satisfactorily
explain our world". It will:
1. help you to plan your presentation
2. help you to write your presentation, including the
Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.
3. produce the following:
a script, which you can save and print out using your
browser's File menu.
o Printable note cards, which you can save and print out using
your browser's File menu.
o A slide show, which you can save to your computer using
the browser's File > Save menu.
o And speak your presentation to you. You can choose
a male or female voice.
o
Time to try
1) Set up an account
Create a Discussion
Creating a Discussion
Adding a Point
Submitting a Point
Rating a Point
Rating a Point
Users rate points on:
•
•
•
•
•
True / False
Importance
Fact or Opinion
Logical or Illogical (with fallacies and examples)
Referencing
The computer totals the score and revises the rating of
the point, its parent points, and the whole discussion.
The % support should change.
Teacher’s Page
For checking your students’ activity and giving
feedback.
Thank you
Q&A