FACULTY INSTRUCTIONAL INNOVATION STUDIO

Teaching or learning problem/challenge that made you rethink your learning model or approach or try something new

One of the greatest challenges was working with the online students. They were not interested in the traditional one-way passive communication style of instruction. They expressed a strong desire for full multi-mode and real-time interactions in order to give them a sense of belonging to the class as opposed to becoming an outside observer of the class.

 

How you addressed that challenge (if applicable, what technology, learning strategy, etc. you integrated to do so)

The first thing was to recognize that while we may be teaching the same information to traditional students and on-line students, I needed to make some adjustments to ensure the delivery of that information was received and understood by both types of students.

 

We started trying out different technologies to create virtual office hours and virtual group chats, providing scheduled virtual venues for the on-line students to discuss the lectures, ask questions, and even interact with each other (just like in a classroom). We tried out Skype, WebEx, GoToMeeting, Join.Me, and Zoom to create the virtual venues.

 

The same technology was also use to provide virtual office hours as well. Additionally, we used the same technology to have on-line students conduct presentations or interact with the class during live sessions.

We have also explored the use of peer review in the classroom using digital devices, as well as online.

 

Video of Peer Review Using iPads & Google Forms

 

How students responded, any challenges, and lessons learned

The students love it; there has been no resistance or push-back from the students (even with the occasional glitches).