PostEm Tool - OWL
What is the PostEm Tool
The OWL PostEm Tool is a tool which uses comma-delimited spreadsheets (CSVs) to deliver comments to students.
What is the purpose of the PostEm Tool
PostEm can be used to quickly deliver feedback to multiple students by uploading a single file, rather than going through the process of selecting individual students and adding feedback in other tools such as Assignments or Gradebook.
How to use the PostEm Tool
Create a CSV file for your feedback. The first row must contain headers for each column, and the first column should contain the userIDs of your students. Type in your feedback in the column next to each user ID, making sure to give the 2nd column a header as well.
In your OWL site, enable the PostEm tool by clicking 'Site Info' and then 'Edit Tools'. In the PostEm tool, click 'Add,' give your file a title, check off whether you want to release the feedback to students, and upload your csv. Please note that students will only be able to view their own feedback. You may update your feedback at any time by clicking 'Update' and uploading a new file.
Where to find Support
This tool is centrally supported
Support
For help, you can contact the WTS Helpdesk
Documentation
Additional information on OWL PostEm can be found on the OWL Help - PostEm page.
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
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ScaleThe PostEm Tool can be scaled to accommodate any size class. Feedback can only be given to individual students by their username, it cannot be given to groups of students. |
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Ease of UseThe PostEm Tool has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize for both instructors and students |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilityWestern technical support/help documentation is readily available. See the PostEm page in OWL Documentation Wiki or contact the Helpdesk |
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HypermedialityThe PostEm Tool allows users to communicate through text-based feedback only. |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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AODA FriendlyThe PostEm Tool meets accessibility guidelines (AODA and the W3C WCAG 2.0 standards) |
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User-focused participationBy facilitating individualized feedback, the tool supports the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities |
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Required EquipmentProper use of the PostEm Tool does not require specialized equipment |
Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
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OWL IntegrationThe PostEm Tool is native to OWL |
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Operating SystemsUsers can effectively utilize the PostEm Tool with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Windows, OSX, etc.) |
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Web BrowserUsers can effectively utilize the PostEm Tool with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Windows, OSX, etc.) |
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Additional Tech RequirementsUsers do not need to download additional software or browser extensions |
Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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Mobile Operating SystemsThe PostEm Tool is accessible in OWL on all mobile devices through a browser. There is no native app for OWL, however you can access OWL through the WesternU app on both android and iOS devices |
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Mobile FunctionalityThere is little to no functional difference with the PostEm Tool when accessed on mobile systems |
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Offline AccessThe PostEm Tool cannot be used in any capacity offline |
Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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Sign Up/Sign InUse of the PostEm Tool does not require the creation of an external account or additional login beyond a Western Identity and access to OWL |
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Cost of UseAll aspects of the PostEm Tool can be used free of charge to Western account holders |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataFor import, the PostEm Tool works specifically with a .csv file, however these files are easily generated by Microsoft Excel and Apple Numbers programs. See OWL Documentation for file setup. Students are unable to export feedback from the tool. |
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Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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CollaborationThe PostEm tool is not intended to support communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between learners |
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User AccountabilityThe PostEm Tool allows instructors to provide students individualized feedback based on their OWL username. Students can only see the feedback provided to them |
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DiffusionStudent familiarity with the PostEm Tool is likely to be mixed. Instructors should refer students or orient them to the tool in OWL. |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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FacilitationThe PostEm Tool has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagement |
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CustomizationThe PostEm Tool is adaptable to its environment: easily customized to suit the classroom context and targeted learning outcomes |
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Learning AnalyticsThe PostEm tool itself does not provide analytics on student performance |
Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)Given the way the PostEm Tool supports feedback to learners, the tool has the potential to improve engagement in targeted cognitive task(s), however this is largely dependent on application and quality of feedback provided |
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Higher Order ThinkingGiven the way the PostEm Tool supports feedback to learners, the tool has the potential to improve engagement in higher order thinking skills, however this is largely dependent on application and quality of feedback provided |
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Feedback on LearningThrough the PostEm Tool, students can regularly receive formative feedback on learning (i.e. they can track their performance, monitor their improvement, test their knowledge, etc.) |
Security and Privacy
This tool has been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Security and Privacy Flags
EULA
- Application's Terms of Conditions or End User License Agreement poses a risk of binding the institution to an agreement thereby requiring legal counsel to review the application. However, this is mitigated as it has undergone legal review during the Technology Risk Assessment process.
Last Updated: January 21, 2020
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
PostEm is a tool used to deliver feedback to multiple students at once. The tool uses CSV files, and feedback can be updated at any time by uploading new files.
