MERLOT-Ooh la la!

In just a few months I have been privy to learning about a ton of fantastic educational resources out there.  One such resource presented in my current class is MERLOT (and no, I'm not talking about wine!).  In this assignment, I was instructed to perform a peer review of material that has been presented in MERLOT. 

The material I chose, mostly because it is relevant to my course history in Human and Social Services Administration, is a class regarding Housing and Human Services.  My evaluation is as follows:

Quality of Content:

1. Does the software present valid (correct) concepts, models, and skills?

Yes, the material I viewed was originally presented in 2005, however the concepts are still current and correct from my available knowledge. 

2. Does the software present educationally significant concepts, models, and skills for the discipline?

Yes. The concepts involved are regarding the psychology of placement in the housing programs and the dilemmas faced by those dealing with that particular population. 

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching-Learning Tool:

1. What stage(s) in the learning process/cycle could the materials be used?
   • Explanation or description of the topic/stating the problem
   •  The materials/course presented would be considered a graduate level class for those currently in the field who have at least experienced issues in trying to place those who need housing assistance into programs like transitional housing, rehab, adult foster care homes, group homes, etc. Part of the problem(s) addressed in the course materials is the cycle of drug abuse, mental illness coping, and low income lifestyle challenges.
   • Quoted material relevant to this question: "Part I identifies the main issues in the interaction between housing and human service systems. It introduces social science concepts related to the interaction in practice between housing and human services.Part II focuses on "categories of population to be housed." We look at the history of the category, the issues surrounding its housing and services needs and in several instances how practitioners (all graduates or almost-graduates of DUSP) are handling the challenge in the real world. The case of transitional housing is an exception where we are looking at a form of housing which serves a number of populations.
     Part III focuses on student papers. To expand our knowledge of how human service and housing issues play out in practice, each student will develop a case study of a local or state organization that is dealing with the interface between the housing and human service systems. Hopefully some of you will already be working in intern settings that will provide the context and data for such a study. If not we will produce organizations for you and will help connect you with the actors in these situations. Students may also use relevant cases to which they already have or can get access." 
   • Demonstration of the curriculum/exploration of the problem
   • Using team projects, real world interactions with clients and "services" organizations the learners explore the problems addressed in the lecture and reading materials. 
    
   • Practice using the curriculum/analysis of the outcomes from solving the problem
   • Using group meetings with other learners, real world interactions and case studies, learners can develop solutions to the housing/crisis paradigm described. 
    
   • Applying the curriculum to "new" problems/application of the outcomes to other problems
   • Using the information and methods obtained in this course material, learners can apply the principles obtained in evaluating client circumstances to solve additional problems in placement that may occur.  Quoted material ""Deal with problem" Segregate Integrate Isolate (LCK problem people)"
2. What is(are) the learning objective(s)? What should students be able to do after successfully learning with the materials?  Students should be able to identify client's barriers to proper housing placement and adjust their continuum of care accordingly.
3. What are the characteristics of the target learner(s)

Professionals or para-professionals that are currently on the job or entering the work force after completion of a bachelor's degree and currently working on obtaining a graduate degree. 
 

1. Does the interactive/media-rich presentation of material improve faculty and students' abilities to teach and learn the materials?

The material is preferably presented in a real world setting as an internship with "live" application/presentation.  Experiences are then evaluated in group setting with feedback from other students as well as faculty.  For the type of problem/solution being presented (case by case basis) this is probably the most applicable presentation of material possible. 

1. Can the use of the software be readily integrated into current curriculum and pedagogy within the discipline?

This is a online course description with "readings", lecture notes, assignment description so the curriculum is laid out in its entirety for anyone in the discipline to access and adapt. 

1. Can the software be used in a variety of ways to achieve teaching and learning goals?

No. It is not software but instead an online curriculum that involves real life interaction in order to be successful.  

1. Are the teaching-learning goals easy to identify? Yes. They are laid out in the course syllabus.
2. Can good learning assignments for using the software application be written easily? Assignments are already laid out and can be adjusted on a case by case basis.

Ease of Use:

1. Are the labels, buttons, menus, text, and general layout of the computer interface consistent and visually distinct?  Yes, the material is presented through MIT's opencourseware system.
2. Does the user get trapped in the material? No, the user can use the buttons on the left side navigation or download the material as actual documents to follow.

1. Can the user get lost easily in the material? No
2. Does the module provide feedback about the system status and the user's responses? No
3. Does the module provide appropriate flexibility in its use? No
4. Does the learning material require a lot of documentation, technical support, and/or instruction for most students to successfully use the software? No
5. Does the material present information in ways that are familiar for students?no
6. Does the material present information in ways that would be attractive to students? Yes

Link to actual material evaluated   http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/urban-studies-and-planning/11-421-housing-and-human-services-spring-2005/index.htm

Link to material on MERLOT http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=554858