This vlog (video blog) describes how a Spark assignment can be used instead of a quiz or exam to engage students and check for understanding.
Spark Paper Directions
The Spark Assignment is designed to SPARK your mind.
Through curation, collaboration, and creation explain your point of view, critical thoughts, and understanding of the material in the module. You can compare to a different area of study, such as psychology, you may compare to contemporary society, there is not right or wrong, you only have to find evidence to corroborate your theories or ideas! You have four options to demonstrate your understanding. You may create:
- Adobe Spark Page (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.: A Web Page
- Must have between 600-750 Words of content and 1 image (please cite the images source)
- Adobe Spark Video (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.: A Video and slide show
- Slide show should include 20-40 slides (this is not as many as you think) and be a combination of video, images, slides, voice content, and text
- Google Draw: (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Using Google Draw or other application create a comic book or graphic novel of your understanding
- Stick figures are fine. You do not have to be an “artist” to this version, only have a sense of adventure, fun, and creativity.
- There should be approximately 4-5 boxes per strip, and about 8-10 strips for the whole assignment.
- There should be a combination of drawing and text. Thought bubbles are considered text.
- Google Support (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
- Cartoon Creator (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.: Using Powtoons or other animated application create a cartoon
- Cartoon should be 5 minutes in length. If you create any longer they will charge you to publish. DON”T PAY!
- A combination of text and animation
- Powtoons allows you to include voice over-this is encouraged as a method of explanation.
You do not have to pay to use any of these applications! They are free to use.
You must try at least two different types of submissions throughout the semester.
Student Examples
Two students from my online Dance History course gave permission to share their first Spark assignments from the semester.
Another issue with cramming is the lack of sleep hurts memory formation – thus, long-term forgetfulness of the subject is all but guaranteed. Perhaps, this purposeful lack of sleep for students was a planned concept by academia to allow the sleep deprivation to help with leftist brainwashing. Overcoming this sleep deprivation will help open the minds of students to think for themselves.