Promoting Interaction and Engagement in Synchronous Classes: Four Examples

Description Planning synchronous classes, such as Zoom sessions, can be challenging, especially for instructors who are accustomed to on-campus instructional interaction with their students. To facilitate planning synchronous sessions, we developed four example “lesson plans” that illustrate strategies to promote interaction and engagement. The examples draw on McAlpine’s (2004) four-part model for designing instruction: engagement, …

Related Tags: , , , ,

Peer review badge Offering Assessment Options: Motivating Learners through Multiple Means of Action & Expression

Description One of the tenets of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is that of Multiple Means of Action and Expression. Far too often, faculty in higher education enact principles of UDL for the singular purpose of accessibility for learners with disabilities rather than looking at it as a framework of inclusivity for all.  It is …

Related Tags: , , , , , ,

Peer review badge Streamlining Placement Testing with an Adaptive, Branched Exam

Description Digital technologies are widely used in language teaching and testing (Finnerty, 2015; Meunier, 1994). The adaptive testing technologies especially offer rigor and convenience in language assessment (Rasskazova et al., 2017). The Canvas MasteryPaths feature allows instructors to easily adapt learning contents and assessments based on students’ performance. During UCF Global’s development of our online …

Related Tags: , , , , ,

Peer review badge Enhancing Competency-Based Education with Virtual Reality Simulation

Description Competency-based education (CBE) is an alternative modality of learning. Instead of courses, a CBE program is comprised of competencies and rigorous assessments. Students progress through the program by successfully passing competency assessments. CBE is a valuable option for non-traditional students who have work experience. With prior knowledge of a specific competency, a student may …

Related Tags: , , , ,

Peer review badge Using Zoom Polling Feature to Increase Student Engagement and Learning

Description Quizzes are a well-established method for testing student understanding, in both forms of summative and formative assessments. To ensure that the quizzes are impactful for students, intentionality is required (Ebner & Efron, 2012). Instructors must consider that the timing, modality, and approach all influence its effectiveness. When using quizzes in alignment with learning objectives, …

Related Tags: , , , , , ,

Peer review badge Use Digital Badges to Scaffold and Guide Student Learning

Description Traditionally, student learning has been recognized and stored through the official transcript. However, transcripts are limited to credit hour instruction and formal learning. Digital badges are a form of digital credentialing that recognizes learning in a range of learning environments and often smaller increments of learning. They have become increasingly popular as a way …

Related Tags: , , , , ,

Peer review badge Disrupt the One-Way Street of Feedback to Encourage Reflective Practice

Description Traditionally, feedback on student work is a one-way communication from instructor to student. Due to the inherent complexity of unilateral feedback, students may feel emotional and psychological impacts, a lack of power or autonomy, or demotivation. Re-engineering this process to include student-instructor dialogue in order to break down one-way flow provides space for interactive …

Related Tags: , , , ,

Peer review badge Use Criteria Starters to Develop Rubrics Based on Knowledge Levels to Provide Accurate Feedback to Students

Description Educators are encouraged to provide informative feedback to students as a way of pointing out errors in hopes that students will take action to adapt their mental models and identify gaps in learning or misunderstanding. When students are receptive of this feedback, it becomes one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement …

Related Tags: , , , , ,

Create a Case Method Group Activity to Engage Students in Critical Thinking

Description The case method group activity is an instructional design strategy that involves faculty members providing one or more case studies to which groups of students respond. The case(s) could be a real-life case or simulation. It could be description of key concept(s) applied, a story or scenario, an actual case study, a problem or …

Related Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Using Standards-Based Rubrics to Facilitate Online Peer Assessment, Response, and Reflection

Description While traditional rubrics can more clearly convey to the student how they will be assessed,  there are some limitations to this approach. One limitation is that students may passively rely on the rubric for a checklist on how to complete the assignment, without infusing their own creativity or originality.  Even if very detailed, a …

Related Tags: , , , ,