Things To Avoid While Teaching Online

There is no one proper way to teach online. Every person will experiment and develop a toolkit that best suits them, the course material and their students. It’s a world of experimentation, really, as new tools and apps come out seemingly every day. But rather than each of us stumbling around, we can learn aboutContinue reading “Things To Avoid While Teaching Online”

How to Activate Students Online

Students learn more when they are engaged with the course content. When we are in-person, we can directly address the students who are daydreaming or who may be too shy to speak in front of others. Whether in-person or online, students need to be properly prepared for discussions and activities. That means that professors needContinue reading “How to Activate Students Online”

How Do You Measure Learning Online?

How do we assess student learning in the online setting? Traditional tests and papers can work, when appropriate. But here’s the thing: Students need to feel invested quickly in the semester, they need frequent grading opportunities, and they need regular feedback. We need to do more, and more often. So, moderation is the key. OtherwiseContinue reading “How Do You Measure Learning Online?”

Creating Online Engagement

How should you present information during classes? Will traditional lectures work? Are there other ways to help students learn? Here are a few things to think about: Lay the groundwork. The first few classes of the semester are incredibly important in regard to developing class retention, activation and agency. Create a sense of community byContinue reading “Creating Online Engagement”

How to Prep for Online Teaching

As long as the course learning goals remain the same, planning for online teaching may not be so different from planning for an in-person course. The primary difference, however, is in the need to be more intentional and explicit in course delivery and in communicating expectations. Where do I start? Begin at the end. UseContinue reading “How to Prep for Online Teaching”

The Pandemic Will Be Good for Colleges (Eventually)

My college roommates and I used to joke that our college campus was like a country club. There were multiple restaurants with impressive buffets, several workout facilities – including a world-class pool and pristine basketball court, green grass everywhere and people who tended to all our needs. It all seemed so excessive at the time.Continue reading “The Pandemic Will Be Good for Colleges (Eventually)”

Nobody Cares About Your Grades

It’s grading season and the desperation is real, again, as usual. Students I haven’t heard from in months are asking if there is any way they can pass, and others are jockeying for a few extra points that would bump them to the next higher grade. The students who have disappeared are out of luck.Continue reading “Nobody Cares About Your Grades”