Distributed learning creates an opportunity for a team to extend the scope of their learning by having individual team members contribute ideas from multiple resources. In other words, the learning is distributed across the team, and then integrated by the team.
Each member of your team will complete a self-directed study using the library databases, and search engines to identify and retrieve two relevant resources (readings, videos, recorded webinars, other) that can help inform the CALS 501 design thinking challenge. Remember that not all searches or resources are equal. Review the following RRU Library resources prior to beginning your search:
- Tips for Refining Your Search
- Library’s Evaluating your sources
- Tips Searching Google Scholar
- Open Educational Resources
Once you have reviewed these resources, each team member should search for 2 relevant resources. You will need to coordinate as a team so that you are all identifying unique resources. One way to do this is to plan ahead and have each team member search for resources that relate to specific aspects or dimensions of the challenge identified. Each team member will prepare two brief summaries (approximately 500 words) based on the resources they have collected.
These summaries will be shared within your team (jigsaw learning) as you engage in identifying the problem space of the CALS 501 design challenge.
How to Write an Effective Summary
An effective summary condenses a text by synthesizing the information in the text and communicating only the essential facts of the original. Summarizing is different from paraphrasing. An effective summary requires you to read the original text closely so that you can accurately reflect the content and arguments/stance of the original. It is objective and reworks the main ideas presented in the original text.
There are several resources that can help you think about effective summaries:
Each summary should provide information that can help deepen your shared thinking about the challenge.
Format
The summaries you produce should include a brief overview (narrative) of the focus of the resource and the main ideas presented (bullet points) that you deem relevant to the challenge). The assignment deliverable is a single word document consisting of 2 pages, one page for each summary.
Each summary should include a page header that provides the APA formatted citation for the article (or chapter). A further reference list is NOT required.
Each summary should include a footer with your name.