Hello everyone,
In an effort to keep us connected and to answer question about remote and online learning, I decided to pull out my old sabbatical blog.
Let's use this post to discuss and ask questions about how do the work for which we now face. For example, an instructor recently inquired about the Whiteboard in canvas. I do not use this tool but maybe someone out there does and he could ask his question to the all reading or using this blog. So for now, I welcome you to use this blog space.
Here are some thoughts from this past week.
I started this whole process thinking I would teach my labs face to face. Then, within what seemed a week of time but was just a day, I had to replan and rethink my class and lab. I have done this about 3 more times since the start. I feel I am getting closer to something that is reasonable and humane for me and my students.
I have found that talking to students about their needs during my zoom sessions has been the best use of this tool. Currently, I use a combination of recording my lecture for asynchronous teaching, zoom lectures for synchronous and zoom question and answer sessions. I record all zoom sessions and post them by external url tools in canvas into a module I have created just for zoom recordings. I also post any subject recordings in the chapter modules as well. I have made all of it optional for students. They can choose how they want to get the information. Everytime I post something, I send an announcement. Everytime something is due, I send an announcement. I just pushing notes and announcements and tips and questions. Some answer, some do not. It's okay because I can see they are handing in work and trying to get the assignment done. Yesterday, was a online laboratory practical. Typically, this test filled with models, microscopes and dissections. It become pictures and questions in a canvas quiz. Thus, far in the grading, it seems similar to when we were face to face and only a small number of responses seem copied and pasted. It seems good to me right now.
Be well and take care all. Linda Staffero
