Week+9 Prompt

Week 9 Prompt
The exercise for week 9 is slightly different than other weeks.

I am running a research study that looks at how we can better design online course forums for learning. You all will be invited to participate in the experiment during Week 8. I will ask you all to collaborate and help each other learn about **Object Oriented Programming**. You will be invited to a special course forum, and you will be asked to share links, ask questions, and help each other learn a couple of key concepts.

At the end of the week, you will fill out a short writing prompt where you will have to explain object oriented programming concepts. This will count as your assignment.

Everyone who participates in the online course forums will receive a $10 gift card (which I'll explain in class).

You also **do not have to participate, it is entirely voluntary**. I will give you the exact same writing prompt via email, and you can hand in a typical Word document with your answers.

Please read the below Consent Form for the experiment. If you decide to participate, all you need to do is go to the website I'll give you and log in.


 * ** Project Title ** || Collaborative Learning in Online Course Forums ||
 * ** Purpose of the Study ** || // This research is being conducted by **Dr. June Ahn** at the University of Maryland, College Park. // // We are inviting you to participate in this research project because you are a student at UMD. The purpose of this research project is to explore how collaborative learning might be better designed in online course message boards (like Blackboard). // ||
 * ** Procedures ** || // The study will take only 1 week. You will log into an online course forum and be asked to learn about computer programming, with your peers in the forum. You will take a short survey prior to the study and then a short survey after the 1-week study. //

// You will receive a $10 Target gift card for your participation. // ||
 * ** Potential Risks and **
 * Discomforts ** || // There are no known risks for participating in the study. You may withdraw at any time. // ||
 * ** Potential Benefits ** || // There are no direct benefits to you in this study. We hope that, in the future, other people might benefit from this study through improved understanding of how to design online collaborative learning. // ||
 * ** Confidentiality ** || // We will not collect any personal information about you. All the data collected in this study will be stored securely in a password-protected computer at the University of Maryland, Human Computer Interaction lab. //

// If we write a report or article about this research project, your identity will be protected to the maximum extent possible. Your information may be shared with representatives of the University of Maryland, College Park or governmental authorities if you or someone else is in danger or if we are required to do so by law. // ||
 * ** Medical Treatment ** || // The University of Maryland does not provide any medical, hospitalization or other insurance for participants in this research study, nor will the University of Maryland provide any medical treatment or compensation for any injury sustained as a result of participation in this research study, except as required by law. // ||
 * ** Right to Withdraw and Questions ** || // Your participation in this research is completely voluntary. You may choose not to take part at all. If you decide to participate in this research, you may stop participating at any time. If you decide not to participate in this study or if you stop participating at any time, you will not be penalized or lose any benefits to which you otherwise qualify. //

// If you decide to stop taking part in the study, if you have questions, concerns, or complaints, or if you need to report an injury related to the research, please contact the investigator ////, Dr. June Ahn at juneahn@umd.edu or 301-405-2037. You may also contact him at 2117J Hornbake Building, South Wing, College Park, MD 20742. // || ** University of Maryland College Park ** ** Institutional Review Board Office ** ** 1204 Marie Mount ** ** College Park, Maryland, 20742 ** ** E-mail: irb@umd.edu ** ** Telephone: 301-405-0678 ** // This research has been reviewed according to the University of Maryland, College Park IRB procedures for research involving human subjects. // ||
 * ** Participant Rights ** || // If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or wish to report a research-related injury, please contact: //
 * ** Statement of Consent ** || // By logging in below, you give your consent to participate in the study. //

// If you agree to participate, please login to the site now. // ||