Craig Engstrom, Ph.D.'s Courses and Research
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      • COM 213: Public Speaking
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        • Sample SoMe Plans
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xAPI Resources and Information

RESEARCH | RESOURCES | TIPS & TRICKS
This Project is funded by an SIU Foundation Faculty Development Grant
Contact Craig

About This Project

This project is funded by an SIU Foundation Faculty Development Grant.
​

The purpose of this project was to test the utility and usability of the learning record store (LRS) within a university setting. LRSs are a database where data about learners’ activities and accomplishments are stored (see Figure 1). Using a very simple Noun + Verb + Object format, data from apps can be funneled into an LRS to show knowledge, skill, competency, etc. For example, “Craig [Noun] submitted [Verb] project report” [object]. In this case, a Microsoft form (if that was the method of submission) would send the submission details to the LRS. Later, a report could be generated to highlight how competent Craig is at project management based on all the aggregated statements. 

Data collected from the proposed study sought to answer the following research questions:
  1. What LRS data are effective for instructional design and delivery in higher education? [Finding: data is difficult to extract without costly subscriptions, so not recommended.]
  2. What training resources are needed for educators to effectively use an LRS? [Finding: Too many options and tech requirements/expertise needed to use tech are limiting factors for widespread faculty adoption. Focus therefore should be on instructors using the Learning Management System (D2L) effectively.]
  3. Do Open Digital Badges increase student engagement in curricular and co-curricular activities? [Finding: Yes. This should be a focus at SIU and does not require an LRS.]

Introduction to xAPI - Resources

If you need an introduction to xAPI and LRSs, here are two easy-to-inderstand resources:
  • What Is xAPI? A Beginners Guide | GoSkills
  • xAPI.com Homepage: What is xAPI (the Experience API)
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My Approaches to Teaching

I use a competency-based approach to teaching that draws on three techniques: Scaffolding, PBL, and Gameful Learning. The project is part of my goal to build and use EdTech systems and processes that any faculty can use.
Icon of people working on scaffolding
Icon of two speech bubbles with label problem-based learning
Icon of puzzle piece with label gameful pedagogy
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Presentations

The following videos are part of presentations, which were delivered as part of panels or stand-alone presentations at Association for Talent Development workshops or at the National Communication Association Annual Conference (Training and Development Division)
  • Video - Intro to Blooms Taxonomy
  • Video - Intro to xAPI
  • NCA Presentation: Scaffolding in Learning Development
<
>

NCA Presentation Slide Deck

Download the Slide Deck
File Size: 7458 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File

Advanced On-Line Learning Methodology_EngstromCraig.pdf by Craig Engstrom

Department Outcomes

Research Report: OJ Duncan, my advisee, conducted the following research on Digital Badging and its impact on student learning. 
Research Report on Digital Badges
File Size: 743 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

This project led to innovations in the curriculum (new offerings for recruitment and retention) and improved student learning outcomes.
  • Professional Communicator Credential
  • Improved Student Learning Outcomes
<
>
cmst-credential-ad.pdf
File Size: 206 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Prior to using the EdTech and processed designed during this project, the final assessment was in the ~3.4 range for students across all categories, showing only marginal improvement in learning outcomes. This number is now in the high ~3.8 range.
CMST101-Objectives.pdf by Craig Engstrom

Certificates / Badges I Was Inspired to Earn While Completing Project

Click the badge to see the credential.
Master Online Leader and Administrator Certificate Badge
Advanced Online Teacher Certificate Badge
Certified Professional in Talent Development Badge
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Courses & Successes Exploring xAPI

The CMST 101 course has been reviewed by educators using the OSCQR and OLC QCTIP scorecards.
  • CMST 101 - Public Speaking
    • ​OLC OSCQR Course Design Review Scorecard
    • OLC Quality Course Teaching and Instructional Practice Scorecard
  • CMST 280 - Business and Professional Communication​
    • ​95% Retention Rate
    • Scalable: Hybrid/flipped; Online only (synchronous/asynchronous)​

D2L Tools I ♥ w/ xAPI

Screenshot of intelligent agents

#1 - Intelligent Agents

Hands down, intelligent agents change the game for student immediacy and instructor productivity. I use them to do the following and more:
  • send customized and positive notes when students do something like submit an assignment early or receive a grade of 80% or higher;
  • regular check-ins to ensure students don't fall behind (e.g., sending a note when they don’t log into the class for four days
  • reminders, like when students haven’t checked on an assignment prompt and it’s one week before the assignment is due
Intelligent agents save time but also increase student engagement. Without a doubt, this is the number one reason students in my courses stay engaged.
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#2 - 3rd Part Tools & Apps

​D2L has a massive inventory of apps and partnerships and allows integration with external learning tools via SCORM and Tin Can (xAPI) as well as basic HTML embedding in nearly every content area. 
My favorite tools are the following (and more):
  1. PlayPosit
  2. Perusall
  3. Flipgrid
  4. Video Assignments (e.g., YouSeeU)
I can engage students during video lectures and readings replicating those moments in lecture where you may pause a video and give some context.
Picture of Craig Engstrom with logos of apps used in teaching

Screenshot of badges used in CMST 280

#3 - Badges + xAPI

​Students LOVE earning badges! Some of the custom badges  in courses include:
  • Top 3 Assignment Submissions
  • Top Harvard Case Study Review
  • Top Ignite Talk
  • Perfect attendance
  • Most improved Assignment
  • Competence (80%)
D2L makes adding and releasing badges really easy. The fact students can export them to Mozilla Open Badges allows students to show off their accomplishments with their professional network. 

According to research my graduate advisee, OJ Duncan, has conducted on the use of badges in CMST courses, it increases student motivation. 

Let's not be strangers.


Consulting

​communication.work

Telephone

618.203.1997

Email

craig.engstrom[at]siu.edu

Site Terms

Read here.
Contacts
  • Home
    • Why I love D2L
  • Courses
    • CPTD Exam Prep
    • SIUC - Sp 2021 Courses
    • CMST 390/490 - Applied Communication
    • Online/Hybrid Courses >
      • CMST 101: Public Speaking
    • Course Policies (Syllabus) >
      • Writing
    • Courses Archive >
      • COM 213: Public Speaking
      • COM 220: Intro to Org Comm
      • CMST 380 Intro to Leadership and Org Comm
      • CMST 411 - Rhetorical Criticism
      • CMST 480: Biz & Org Comm Cases
      • CMST 493-19: International Films
      • CMST 480: Dynamics of Org Comm (SIUC)
      • CMST 483: Adv. Business & Org Comm
      • CMST 484: Social Media >
        • Sample SoMe Plans
        • Graduate Readings
      • COM 315: Intercultural Comm
      • COM 319: Bus and Prof Comm
      • COM 320: Org Comm
      • COM 321: Case Studies in Org Comm
      • COM 353: Intercultural Films
      • COM 490: Comm Training (Capstone)
    • Common Forms >
      • Students > Share Work
      • Students' Kind Words
      • Group Evaluation
      • Leader Evaluation
  • Resources
    • Branding
    • Craig's Video Recommendations
    • Job Hunt Resources
    • Learning Paths >
      • How to Create Vertical Videos in PowerPoint
      • Conflict Seminars: Training Guides
      • Conflict & Negotiation
    • Student Resources >
      • Blog Topics
      • How To Vids
      • Haiku Deck
    • Teaching Resources
    • Career Resources >
      • Resume Resources
      • Leveraging LinkedIn
    • Public Speaking Resources >
      • Public Speaking Resources
      • Sample Ignite Talks
      • Infographics
    • CMST Projects >
      • My Communication Story
      • Comm Posters
      • CMST Templates
    • SIU Scholarships
  • CV/Research
    • Podcasts >
      • Podcast D.J. Jeffries
      • Podcast Drew Swithin
      • Podcast Kaci Huelsman
      • Do a Podcast!
    • Communication Teacher Article
    • Journals
  • Internships/Jobs
    • CMST Internships for Credit
  • Blog/Vids
    • Blog
    • YouTube Channel
    • Webinars >
      • Past Streams - 2021
  • Contact
  • April7