Hypothesis and PeerScholar Pilot Project

The MacPherson Institute, in partnership with eCampus Ontario sandbox initiative, is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from instructors and staff to pilot the use of two educational technologies in their courses: Hypothesis and PeerScholar.

Background

The MacPherson Institute collaborates to explore, enhance, support, and recognize teaching and learning experiences at McMaster. In order to encourage and elevate the pedagogical use of educational technologies and creative solutions to enhance teaching and learning, the MacPherson Institute is launching a pilot program for two educational technologies: Hypothesis and PeerScholar.

Hypothesis is a tool that allows students and educators to collaboratively annotate web-based content. To learn more, review the Hypothesis website.

PeerScholar is a tool that allows students and educators to review, assess and provide feedback to their peers. To learn more, review the PeerScholar website.

Pilot Details

eCampus Ontario has provided McMaster University with a limited number of licenses for Hypothesis and PeerScholar to use across the institution. A license is anyone using the tool (i.e. each student in your course counts as one license). Licenses will be provided on a first come, first served basis.

If you intend to use Hypothesis or PeerScholar in the winter term, we encourage you to request licenses using this expression of interest. A portion of the licenses will be reserved for instructors/courses in the winter term.

All participants in the pilot will be requested to provide feedback on their experience with the tools in the form of a report and/or survey created by eCampus Ontario.

Once you have submitted your EOI, the MacPherson Institute will follow up with further details about the pilot, training and pedagogical support.

More information about the Hypothesis and PeerScholar Pilot Project will be shared shorty.

Training and Support:

In the coming weeks, the MacPherson Institute will provide opportunities to connect with the tool vendors for training. Self-directed training articles will be available at avenuehelp.mcmaster.ca. The MacPherson Institute will offer consultations to support the pedagogical use of the tools. The MacPherson Institute will also support the integration of the tools in your Avenue course shell.

How to Apply:

To apply for licenses to be used in the fall term, please complete the Hypothesis and PeerScholar Pilot Project Application Form. The form will remain open for instructors wishing to request licenses for the winter term. You are encouraged to apply at your earliest convenience.

Get Help:

Any questions, comments or concerns regarding the Hypothesis and PeerScholar Pilot Project can be directed to Chris Lombardo, Educational Developer, lombarcl@mcmaster.ca