Week 4, Fall 2019

 2017 CCCO Distance Education Report

Thank You

We appreciate everyone who took the time read our blog post and answer the survey last week. It's not too late to give your input, and we especially hope many of you will pop in as a guest blogger sometime soon. If you would like to take our short three-question survey click here: Online Teaching & Learning Survey.

Please read on for a few tips, hacks, and resources!

Try This!

Denise Maduli-Williams

One of my favorite apps to use to make quick informal video announcements for students it the Clips app for iOS. The app has live captioning which is easy to edit, along with fun text and graphics to add if you like. 

I like to use these for quick weekly reminders for students. To model that learning can take place anywhere, I often record on the run (in my parked car, on a walk, or waiting for my kids' practices to end).

You can view one of my videos from last semester here: Week 1 Walk & Talk.

If you would like more information and examples using Clips, head to the SPACES Online Flex Training Series available through Canvas.

Canvas Hack

Cheryl Reed

Canvas has a neat little feature in the Gradebook that lets you quickly Message Students Who...

• haven't submitted an assignment or post
• have made less than a certain score
• have made more than a certain score
• haven't been graded yet

I use Message Students Who... the morning after an assignment deadline. Students appreciate the immediate contact, and it often opens strategy sessions about challenges they're facing.

You can remove names, individualize the email and subject line that goes to each student, or use a standard message that you compose. Each student receives a separate email.

Here are the screenshots to guide you through the process (it takes seconds!):

https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-16553-4152813641

Links & Resources

This article, Teaching Online Will Make You a Better Teacher in Any Setting in the Chronicle of Education had many pearls of wisdom. I especially appreciated this, "Far more than simply 'moving materials' in a learning-management system (LMS) or some other digital space, teaching online - and doing it well - demands the type of critically reflective practice that can transform you into a better teacher overall."

This is a wonderful podcast to check out during your commute, while walking your dog, on the treadmill at the gym, or just relaxing, Teaching in Higher Ed Podcast, with many episodes related to technology and online learning and teaching, but also many other relevant topics to teaching in higher ed.

I also really appreciated this video on 10 Tips for Teaching Online.