Miami University,

February 2014

Kari Frisch

Communication Instructor

Central Lakes College

Email: kfrisch@clcmn.edu

DON’T WORRY…

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE ….

A DEATH BY POWERPOINT PRESENTATION !!!!

THE TIPS I’M GOING TO SHARE:

• Work for me.

• May not all work for you.

• Might not all work for your discipline.

I GET THAT. BUT…

• Hopefully, you’ll still get a few “gems” that will work for you and your discipline. But first…

•I used to assume these were common practices

•Now I include them in my presentations

•*

•Have everything ready before students need it

•Use outlining methods

This keeps the class running efficiently and keeps students on track=more likely to be successful!

•Check in often

• Respond ASAP

This helps build trust and accountability with students.

•*

• Find your inspiration• Engage Different Learning Styles• Have Fun

This helps keep class fresh and fun for you and your students.

•*

•Release information only for that upcoming week.•Include dates in subject line as well as week #•Use reverse uploading (most current at top)•Make logical sequence for students•Use outline format

This helps keep content more ADA-friendly (less scrolling for all of us). Weekly release keeps them engaged yet not OVERWHELMED!

Example:

Personalized weekly notes in two parts:

•Top portion: Notes for all Classes•Bottom portion: Class Specific Notes

This helps develop a sense of immediacy, helps tie weeks’ content together, gets out other important information. Students know I’m in “real time” with them.

Examples of note points:• Words of encouragement

• Reminders about policies

• Tips on LMS (collapsible content)

• Further explanation of difficult chapter concepts

• “Heads up” about unusual assignments or special needs for the future

• School notices that we’ve been asked to pass on (financial aid pickup, college surveys, graduation info, special events, etc.)

• Assignment clarification/directions/examples

Examples of notes:

• Notes Example #1 Interpersonal:

• http://tinyurl.com/nvv68xl

• Notes Example #2 Mass Comm:

• http://tinyurl.com/lshnsnc

Notes help connect me to my students

How about connecting students to each other?

I try and do that from day one…

ACTIVE LEARNING BREAK

ICE BREAKERS !!!

ACTIVE LEARNING BREAK1. If you could own a non-traditional pet, what would it

be and why?

2. What would you consider your greatest strength and your greatest weakness as a person when it comes to your character?

3. What is the craziest thing you have done in your life so far and how did it change you?

4. If you had the chance to do anything in the world what would that one thing be and why?

5. If you could change any one thing about the way society is today; what would it be and why?

•Student-created

• Post one weekly if possible

This helps foster a sense of community.

•*

QUESTIONS FOR CLASSMATES

Week 1: I usually start with two, 2-part questions, listed as “Kari’s week 1 questions”, one set per “forum”:

Question Set #1

Part A) Where do you consider yourself from and why? Part B) What are you going to school to study?

Question Set #2

Part A) How many online classes have you taken before?Part B) If you have had one or more online classes before, what advice might you

give someone taking an online class for the very first time? If this is your first online class, what do you think you need to do differently in order to be successful in this online learning environment?

Here are some examples of past questions from students for students.

General questions:

If you could own a non-traditional pet, what would it be?

If you had the chance to do anything in the world what would that one thing be and why?

If you could change any one thing about the way society is today; what would it be and why?

If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and why?

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you bring with you and why?

Dogs or cats? Which do you prefer and why?

What, if anything, would you do differently with your life if you won the lottery today?

Here are some course specific examples I thought were fun:

Mass Communication Where do you go to get your news and is the internet helping or hurting news media?What movie has had the most impact on your life? Explain your answer.

Intercultural Communication What language would you want to learn to speak fluently and why that one over all others?Choose one country you’d like to visit and one person (living or dead) from that country that you would like to be your tour guide and explain why you chose as you did.If you were visiting the country of your choice, would you rather remain in familiar, "Americanized" resorts or would you prefer to stay/travel with a local from that country? Why?

Interpersonal Communication What is the biggest difference between distant learning and in class learning?How do you feel about talking in front of people you don’t know?

Online Social Networking What is your favorite Facebook game and how often per day, week, or month do you spend on it?What effect do you think texting has had on other forms of communication?

TABLE FORMAT THAT INCLUDES :

•Assignment Order (number the items down the first column)

•Check-off/Completion Column

•Assignment Title, Directions, Location, Grading Criteria

•Due Date by Specific Day, Date and Time (Wed. February 22, 1:00 pm)

•Total Points Possible

•Learning Objectives (so they know why they’re doing it)

This helps keep the students and the course organized.•*

Examples of Assignment Schedules:

• Assignment Schedule Example #1 Mass Comm:

• http://tinyurl.com/lbpjl7g

• Assignment Schedule Example #2 Interpersonal:

• http://tinyurl.com/m7r7jlh

•WEDNESDAYS at 1:00 pm

• FRIDAYS at 1:00 pm

This gets students into course early and helps prevent total procrastination.

•*

Here’s some other notes about my schedule:

The type of work due Wednesday is smaller (point-

wise and work-wise) so that it is manageable.

It used to be Tuesday and I’d get complaints, don’t

get very many now that it’s Wednesday.

Be clear and upfront in syllabus.

This also allows me time to do a turn-over or a

layered assignment for Friday because there’s still

enough time between 1 pm Wednesday and 1 pm

Friday for a small Part 2 assignment.

Continued:

I always release the upcoming week’s work (notes,

assignment schedule, and anything with a release

date) at 3 pm on the Friday prior to the start of the

week. This allows students the chance to work on homework (or at least

pop in to see what the week will look like) over the weekend.

To me the weekend is meant for being proactive not

for procrastinating—so I set up class that way

I can usually count students who are “on-top” of their studies

to be the first ones in and it’s a good check-in for me.

If there is an issue I can usually have it fixed before the

majority of students have logged in for the week.

Continued:

When asked why 1 pm, I respond that it is the time

that works best for me.

I like the fact the time is during a time when I’m online

and when our staff is around and available to answer

question if needed (tech support and D2L support)

1:00 pm deadline vs Midnight deadline

Think about who typically has the most issues with

following directions? When do they do their work?

If the procrastinators have technical issues, who is

there to help?

• One point (only on quizzes and surveys)

• Only to first person who properly reports the error (must include student name, class, quiz/survey title, question number, error and what the error should be)

This promotes real accountability and improves course communication.

http://tinyurl.com/l3benzu

http://tinyurl.com/meg8d87

Can you be the first?

•Courses

• Assignments

• Opportunities

This help keep students engaged and connected to content.

I have students take Learning Style Assessment and try to hit all learner types. For example…

Playlists (use for survey, and I frequently have students create a playlist based on a theme)

Videos (as supplemental content, as tutorials, quiz them on videos, search & report on videos and soon will have them create their own videos)

Word Scrambles

Fill in the missing word in this quote

Interpersonal interview assignments

Photo Assignments

•Due dates/times

• Repeat-type assignments

•Class Policies

•Grading

This gets students into a routine and helps class management.

For Example… Classmate Questions in the discussion area are always

due Wednesdays

Survey of the past week’s learning objectives – always due Wednesdays

Chapter Quizzes are always due on Fridays

I try to be consistent in grading (two communication errors equals a ½ point deduction with one freebie.)

Chapter Quizzes are always 25 points

AND…

No Late Work- No Exception Again, this is what works best for me, it might not work for

you.

There’s also enough points in my class that students are really in control of their own grade, even if they miss a week or two.

Extra-credit if offered is offered to all—I think that’s more fair. Small amount and usually at end of semester.

I don’t have to judge excuses and they don’t have to make-up a “good enough” excuse to be accepted.

My students know up front that this is their “give” in our give-and-take relationship because of my next item…

TIERED RANDOMIZATION:

•Question Order•Answer Options within the question itself•Questions Selected

I’ve found this helps relieve student and instructor stress so we can focus on active learning.

Other benefits:

Helps me reinforce no-late work policy (Can do work ahead of time if possible and only with advance notice)

Allows students to manage their own grade better

Students still put in the time they probably would have otherwise

Allows for real life interruptions that my students encounter (ie tooth story)

As I mentioned before reduces their anxiety and mine!

•Student Self Assessments

• Concept Application

• Course Effectiveness

This helps keep students and instructor connected to the learning objectives.

Other benefits: Gives me statistical data to use for other assignments

Helps keep the class dynamic

Helps students connect to information personally

Gives me information on whether or not I’m accomplishing my goals (or how well) = Course Effectiveness

Reinforces students accountability/responsibility (I ask, “Do you feel you have a foundational understanding of Chapter 5?” and follow it up with “How much of Chapter 5 did you read?” (And yes, I think students are pretty honest)

I’ve used some statistics outside of that class (support why our online class tallies shouldn’t be raised, discuss whether students think they would have cheated if the tests had not been open book—this one is scary honest)

Examples of Surveys/Survey Results:Self-assessments:• Survey Example #1 Social Media Online Usage Results:

• http://tinyurl.com/m6hvwxc

• Survey Example #2 Social Media Facebook Results:• http://tinyurl.com/mkkrdxz

Concept Application:* Survey Example #3 Interpersonal Windows/Mirrorshttp://tinyurl.com/ny2xvfg

* Survey Example #4 Intercultural Windows/Mirrorshttp://tinyurl.com/lpabnhd

Course Evaluation:• Survey Example #5 Mass Comm Assessment of wk9

• http://tinyurl.com/kqcrubq

• Survey Example #6 Interpersonal Final Eval• http://tinyurl.com/llmapky

•Between the student and the content•Between you and the student•Between the students themselves

This helps build a stronger sense of community and helps more holistic growth of your students (and dare I say you as the instructor too).

•*

Examples Between Student and Content:

• Have students share personal experiences

• Think about different learning styles

• Give options to meet those styles

• Active learning opportunities beyond tests

• Windows & Mirrors (see resource list)

Examples Between You and Student:

• Use personal experiences

• Share photos and videos

• Be personable in discussion boards

• Use constructive criticism and feedback

Be passionate and don’t be afraid to share!!

Examples Between Students:

• Ice Breakers

• Most interesting/Most surprising

• Weekly discussion board questions

• Reflections on peer work

• Surveys – share overall class results

•Reaffirm respectful communication• Use lots of “please” and “thank you”• Kill ‘em with kindness• Encourage I-messages•Answer questions first, then do a “food for thought” or “please re-read this and see if it could be perceived in a way…”

• Promotes class integrity, respect, and win-win communication.

I’m guessing it’s not just one thing I do that accounts for the high retention rate, which is why I gave you 12 tips and talked about the be attitudes/be verbs.

I hope you were able to pick up a few “gems”you can use or promote on your campus.

Thanks and Good Luck!

Just a few examples: Tag Galaxy

http://taggalaxy.de/

Playlist.com

OSN Decade Example : http://www.playlist.com/playlist/18980613643

Interpersonal Love Types Example : http://www.playlist.com/playlist/18594984971

CollageMaker

http://tinyurl.com/473cmua

Windows and Mirrors Theory

Theory explanation: http://tinyurl.com/mynzms6 Learning Object: http://tinyurl.com/47cb42g

Music Videos

http://tinyurl.com/4anyyb6

http://tinyurl.com/4jc5r9c blog

Other Resources I like to use

“In Plain English” YouTube Series

Flickr

FreeRice.org

Glogsteredu