Description Discussions in asynchronous online courses provide an opportunity for students to share their thoughts and learn from classmates in a fashion emulating in-class discussions. This allows students to contribute their thoughts and take time to respond to classmates’ comments. In a large enrollment online course, dividing the class into groups provides the opportunity for …
Continue reading “Use Self-Evaluation and Instructor Feedback in Group Discussions to Enhance Participation in Large-Enrollment Courses”
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Discussions,
Facilitation,
Interaction,
Large Classes,
Peer-Reviewed Entry,
Rubric
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 …
Continue reading “Use Criteria Starters to Develop Rubrics Based on Knowledge Levels to Provide Accurate Feedback to Students”
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Assessment,
Bloom's Taxonomy,
Criteria,
Feedback,
Peer-Reviewed Entry,
Rubric
Description Online learning can cause students to miss the peer-to-peer connectiveness of the face-to-face classroom and feel isolated in their studies, which can lead to lower motivation, achievement, and retention in online classes (Angelino, Williams, & Natvig, 2007; Kanuka & Jugdev, 2006). To remedy students’ feelings of isolation, discussion forums are commonly utilized by instructors …
Continue reading “Implement Student Video Introductions to Foster Social Presence”
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Discussions,
Expectations,
Interaction,
Introduction,
LMS,
Peer-Reviewed Entry,
Rubric,
Video
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 …
Continue reading “Using Standards-Based Rubrics to Facilitate Online Peer Assessment, Response, and Reflection”
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Assessment,
Discussions,
Peer Review,
Rubric,
Standards
Description In today’s complex world, acquiring knowledge and using tools in a single domain is insufficient to remain competitive as individuals. Students must also learn to apply tools and knowledge in new domains and different situations (Grabinger & Dunlap, 1995). In addition, the spread of misinformation is becoming a common concern among education and society …
Continue reading “Utilizing Active Learning Techniques to Promote Application of Knowledge”
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Active Learning,
Authentic Learning,
Content,
Discussions,
Higher Order Thinking,
Metacognition,
Nutrition,
Project-Based Learning,
Reflection,
Rubric,
Transparency,
Video
Description Research shows that students perform better when the rubric provided by an instructor is deconstructed for them (Jones 2017). This allows the students to see not only how they are going to be graded, but why they are going to be graded that way. The ideas for the evaluation categories on the rubric came …
Continue reading “Use Rubric Rationale to Improve Student Performance on Peer Review Assignment”
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Assessment,
Assignments,
Communication,
Peer Review,
Rubric
Description A debate is a formal competition between two teams, usually with three members each, arguing a discussion statement known as “the moot”. Shaw (2012) believes that debates stimulate critical thinking and can be a highly effective way to actively engage students in research in the online classroom. Student-generated debate presentations can become a welcome …
Continue reading “Use Online Debates to Enhance Classroom Engagement”
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Assessment,
Communication,
Debate,
Engagement,
Interaction,
Rubric
Description Supporting college students to develop critical thinking skills is an overarching goal in higher education. Students with developed critical thinking skills have the ability to evaluate their own arguments as well as others, resolve conflicts, and generate well-reasoned resolutions to complex problems (Behar-Horenstein & Niu, 2011). Given that there is an exponential increase in …
Continue reading “Use a Guided Approach to Support Critical Thinking in Online Discussions”
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Assessment,
Critical Thinking,
Discussions,
Facilitation,
Interaction,
Rubric,
Social Connection
Description Holding effective, engaging discussions in large classes can be a challenge. However, they provide an opportunity for online students to engage with each other and the instructor in a way not possible with other kinds of assessments. Here are some ideas to structure this effectively. Group Size: The most common acceptable number for groups …
Continue reading “Manage Discussions in Large Classes”
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Discussions,
Grading,
Interaction,
Large Classes,
Management,
Rubric
Description While faculty might hope that students can “just discuss” a topic online with little or no support, Beckett, Amaro‐Jiménez, and Beckett (2010) found that “even doctoral students may need explicit grading instructions, and therefore provide rubrics and sample responses while not stifling creativity” (p. 331). Rubrics provide clear expectations for students regarding how an …
Continue reading “Create Discussion Rubrics”
Related Tags:
Assessment,
Discussions,
Peer-Reviewed Entry,
Rubric