Peer Review

Sociology - SAGE Lecture Spark

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Nov 29, 2021 by Sociology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

SAGE Lecture Spark is a free-to-use tool designed to help instructors launch meaningful classroom discussions with their students while also providing assessment options for in-class use. Current events relevant to sociology are explored through an introductory text, with learning objectives, PowerPoint lecture guides, videos, articles, discussion questions, and assessment options provided. Criminal Justice specific current events are also available within this link for sociological learning specific to the social institutions involved with criminal justice.

Type of Material:

Learning Object Repository including search engine.

Recommended Uses:

In Class, Lecture, Homework

Technical Requirements:

Internet browser, Flash player for videos, and PowerPoint for lectures

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Learners will better connect global current events with sociological concepts
Learners will gain a better understanding of how sociology applies in everyday life
Learners will be able to identify the role of social institutions on modern day societal issues
Provides current materials on events relevant to sociological theory
Demonstrates critical thought processes which can help determine further study avenues for each topic and personal application to community, political, and volunteer efforts

Target Student Population:

College Lower Division, College Upper Division

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic computer skills, Browser access, PowerPoint (requires download ability). Preferably introductory course in Sociology so basic terms can be applied.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: Large amount of content including a large variety of current events and social concepts. Lecture sparks are categorized by month and year and archived so past material can be pulled and used at any time. Clearly summarized in sociological terms. Excellent and thoughtful learning assessment. Challenges for critical thought process and personal application.
Concerns:: The resource does not supply basic sociological theory. This may be supplemented with a course text.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

Current topics well summarized and supported with both videos and challenge discussion items. Lends itself to class discussion and team projects. Includes conceptual terms for the assessments and discussions. Flexible and built to provide all the tools needed to be used for teaching and student learning. Source information is in-depth and detailed for use with PowerPoint lecture. Video supplements offer additional opportunity for learning outside of the traditional read/lecture/discuss or write format.

Concerns:

There is not an instruction page as to how to use the material although the resource is intuitive.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: Website is easy to access and move through. Topic selection is easily identifiable by article list. Tools and materials are organized within each selection with flow from introduction to learning objectives, to videos, etc. making the platform organized, consistent, and user friendly. It's easy to navigate and is continuously updated. There is a search engine which can be be used to find several topics with similar conceptual themes.
Concerns:: No specific instructions for use is offered

Other Issues and Comments:: This is a great supplemental resource. Students can relate to current events and so this supplies a link to basic theory as it can apply to student's personal lives.
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