Week 10, Spring 2020

https://gbr.pepperdine.edu/blog/2020/04/09/19803/

Guest Blogger
Stefanie Johnson Shipman

Headshot by four3zeromedia

Stefanie Johnson Shipman, M.A., RYT-200, is a tenured Associate Professor of English/ESOL and a Ph.D. student in Higher Education Teaching/Learning and Leadership at the University of San Diego. She is also a certified yoga teacher and a mom to toddler twins.

Overcoming Negative Perceptions Associated with Working From Home: One Faculty’s Customized Workspace

In January of this year, after four years of teaching online, countless papers and other assignments graded online, and orders from my doctor and physical therapist, I had to make my workspace at home more ergonomic. 

First my husband, Eric, literally hacked my current desk. He took out one of the drawers of my desk and used an old shelf in the garage to create a sliding space for the wireless keyboard and mouse we got for me. It is a custom fit for me. We also dusted off his old laptop shelf for my MacBook and an old monitor so that I could finally have two monitors. The second monitor has greatly increased my productivity, and I cannot believe I waited as long as I did to try one out. Finally, I use a yoga block under my feet for added support and ergonomics. 

I know that some people question if distance teaching/learning is sustainable and question productivity at home versus on campus. However, my custom space at home really helps my focus and workflow, and it was a relief to know that it was all set to go before the switch to fully online/remote this semester.

Relatedly, an Inside HigherEd article in February 2020 addressed the idea of working remotely in, "What Counts as Proximity?"

Student Support Online

If you haven't seen or shared the Canvas portals to the following student support pages, please check out these fabulous resources for our students:

Miramar Career Center Canvas Portal

Academic Success Center Online

The Writing and English Language Lab (The WELL) Online


Canvas Hack: Copying Announcements

Patti Manley

I recently found this great hidden tool in Canvas Announcements. Many of us want to post the same announcement in multiple classes without having to copy and paste in other courses. 

There an easy way to do that in Canvas.  After creating and posting an announcement in the first class, go to that announcement (in the same class) and in the top right corner there are three dots. Click on those dots and select "copy to" and then from the pull down menu, select the course you want to copy the announcement into. Then click save.

It takes a little while for the announcement to copy over because it's not immediate.  You will see at the top of the screen you copied it from a message, "copying in process."  Wait a little bit (I didn't go into the other courses for about 15 minutes) and it will be there!

Try it! What have you got to lose?

Links and Resources

Dr. Luke Wood and Dr. Frank Harris hosted another webinar with CORA. View the video archive here: Equity-Minded Student Services in the Online Environment.

UNESCO Archives has made public more than 7000 audio recordings. The recordings include music, speeches, conferences, round tables, cultural events, field recordings, and more.

Yes! Use Your Phone in Class: Tips for More Equitable Remote Teaching and Learning

I thought SNL's Zoom Call was spot-on.