Thread on Online Teaching: (1)
To begin with, don’t freak out. You can teach your course effectively without starting the term over. Here is what has worked for me.
To begin with, don’t freak out. You can teach your course effectively without starting the term over. Here is what has worked for me.
(2) I taught Online and Hybrid courses at my first VAP position for a duration of five years and there we had Canvas. Preferable to Blackboard btw but this is doable with either.
(3) Okay so here’s the key: Students want interaction with their peers and you. So don’t just post a bunch of articles up and create assignments. The DISCUSSION FORUM is key.
(4) I’ve used the model of the Discussion Forum for years and nothing works as well.
(5) These discussions should be weekly. Every single week if possible.
(6) Ask questions linked to readings and themes/topics in the course. Make requirements very specific. And model them so they require interaction with other students and you.
(7) the way I do mine is: Post response to question(s) (or prompts) by Tuesday and a response to another student’s post by TH. This requires two oops for conversation.
(8) Also I require quotes from the reading, or an outside source, if appropriate.
(9) Okay now, here’s the other thing. I respond to every student’s post. Yes this is time consuming but it’s worth it for my students.
(10) This is not a Thumbs Up or Ok type of response. It’s a paragraph each in some cases. Sometimes with a link to a video clip or article.
(11) *If you are teaching huge classes, then you can post a general response. I understand some teach huge survey courses (I do not). But if you have smaller classes of up to 40, I respond to each initial post.
(12) Mix it up. Your prompt does not have to be about the reading, each week. Last week I had students research contemporary art in my Islam class and their discussions were fantastic.
(13) I generally make these discussions worth two points a week so they add up to something substantial in terms of their grade.
(14) Other assignments and assessments? I don’t do quizzes or exams, so my students do a combination of research and creative projects. This makes it more FUN for them and they can engage w/ more types of texts.
(15) So, for example, this semester my students are doing a variety of things including a scrapbook that they will post online. Accompanied by an infographic that reflects what is in it.
(16) They also have a paper on one of the books we are reading and a book review.
(17) Okay, so what about other resources? I record short lectures because students zone out after 10-15 minutes. Sometimes I break up lectures into parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
(18) Don’t only do lectures however. Include photos, film clips, graphs, and genograms. Students love these.
(19) Getting feedback to them in a timely manner is also critical because they feel disembodied.
(20) All of this has resulted in super happy students who learn a lot and on my part, the feeling that I’ve served them well.
(22) I also offer Skype meetups for students. And one is required at the end of the semester for a grade. You can also have students intro themselves at beginning of term.
(23) To summarizes:
Forums with Conversation and Feedback
Brief Lectures
Many Types of Resources
Different Types of Assessments
Opportunities for Virtual Chats with Students
Forums with Conversation and Feedback
Brief Lectures
Many Types of Resources
Different Types of Assessments
Opportunities for Virtual Chats with Students
You can pick other days of course. But give them a day between the two.
