2017 changes

This page collects all of the noteworthy changes made to PD courses during 2017. If you want to see our most recent changes, visit the up-to-date course changes page.

PD3

Term implemented	Unit/assessment affected	Summary of changes	Why are we making the changes?
Fall 2017	Unit 4	We refined the simulation by adding rewritten outcomes, revised instructions, an adjusted point-of-view, and new GIFs.	Adding new functionality and editing the simulation makes the Unit 4 assessment more authentic and satisfying.
Spring 2017	Unit 4	We added new technology to the assessment. Students now use DecisionSim to work through a simulation instead of analyzing short videos and text-based scenarios.	Replacing videos and text with a simulation makes the Unit 4 assessment more authentic. The simulation also covers content from multiple units. Students have expressed an interest in fewer deadlines and greater flexibility, and the simulation helps achieve those goals.
Spring 2017	Unit 9 assessment	We added new questions re: normalizing inclusive practices in the workplace to the quiz.	Inclusivity is an important workplace communication topic, and we needed to update the quiz to emphasize the subject's importance. Students appreciate choice in their learning, so we designed the question to allow students to choose the aspect of inclusivity they want to write about.
Spring 2017	How-to guides	We added how-to guides throughout the course. The guides are designed to serve as a succinct, just-in-time reference for students who need more information.	Students expressed an interest in greater flexibility and agency. The how-to guides allow them to personalize their learning and limit their time searching for information. The guides are also available in multiple formats to accommodate different learning preferences.

PD5

Term implemented	Unit/assessment affected	Summary of changes	Why are we making the changes?
Fall 2017	Units 2-6, 9-10	We swapped a new case study focused on information technology (IT) systems into the course.	The new case study replaces a case study focused on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Many students reported that the old case study's international element made it more difficult to connect it to their work completing projects in a North American context. Replacing the case study with an IT-centric scenario makes the course content more authentic.

PD7

Term implemented	Unit/assessment affected	Summary of changes	Why are we making the changes?
Fall 2017	Unit 8 assessment	We added new sample dialogue to the assessment.	Students completing this assessment are asked to provide a dialogue between two parties involved in a conflict. Students have reported that looking at sample dialogues helps clarify the assessment's structure and expectations. We added new sample dialogue to help students understand the assessment and guide their work.

We hope you'll give us feedback on your experience in our courses through their end-of-course surveys or other communication. If you want to learn more about our approach to course development, send us an email.

2017 changes

PD3

PD5

PD7

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