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My Survey…
At the end of the Spring 2015 semester, I sent my students a link to an optional online survey using SurveyMonkey.com. I wanted to find out more about what my students needed to help them learn and stay connected in the classroom. The survey was a short, six question survey. How many online classes have you taken? What is your favorite aspect of taking a class online? What is your least favorite aspect of taking a class online? Would you rather a) have an online text with extra resources but pay more, b) have a physical textbook, or c) have the option to purchase an older version of the text,…
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Using Videos in the Online Classroom
Several times over the past few semesters, I have had students turn in papers that had absolutely nothing to do with the given assignment. It was quite obvious that they had not read the assignment AT ALL. Of course, if they hadn’t taken time to read the assignment, they also clearly hadn’t taken time to read the example papers or the other instructions for the assignment. Of course, this might be because these students simply don’t care. Or they see the title of an assignment and assume they know what it is. Or they just didn’t have time and turned in something they hoped might work. But, it could also…
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Canvas Course Organization
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to speak to two adult students who are taking online classes with YC. Both are returning students after several years, both are also working full-time, and both are excited to be working toward their dreams. Unfortunately, both of them are also experiencing difficulties with at least one of their online courses because their professors have failed to properly set up and organize their classes in Canvas. In both cases, these students have logged into their Canvas course (two different courses and professors!) to simply find a hodge-podge list with no rhyme or reason. Having an organized course in Canvas helps students to succeed…
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My Worst Nightmare…
One of my worst nightmares in my undergrad days was waking up and realizing that I had forgotten about a class. I’d race to my final, hoping that somehow I could figure out a way to pass the class. I’d wake up in a cold sweat and quickly check off my classes to make sure that I didn’t miss any! As frightening as that dream was, once I woke up I of course realized that there was no way I’d ever forget about a class! Really, how could THAT happen? In fact, until a spring semester not long ago, I really didn’t think such a thing could happen to anyone.…