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Leveraging CSV Downloads
The majority of an online instructor’s course facilitation will occur within the learning management system (LMS). However, there are some tasks that can be improved or streamlined by downloading comma-separated value (CSV) files from Canvas. Running an online course requires balancing a lot of names, assignments, and deadlines, so using Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet software can assist with course management.
Encouraging Effective Discussions
Online forums are valuable learning tools: they merit the time and thought it takes to create them, but they must be well-designed to be effective for instructors and students. Baker and Ahlegren (2022) note that instructors may start out with the best of intentions and a desire to achieve multiple goals, such as promoting critical thinking and fostering a community of authentic learners. However, discussion boards often become just another writing assignment, a missed opportunity to “elicit debate, inspire meaningful ideas, and fully engage . . . learner[s]” (Blakely et al., 2022, p. 3). When this happens, students can view discussions as transactional, not transformative (p. 3).
Case Studies in a Multimodal Course
Case-based learning allows students to develop higher-order critical thinking, problem-solving, synthesis, analysis, and communication skills by engaging with a realistic scenario in service of practicing course skills and concepts. Case studies are valuable tools for any class that combines asynchronous and synchronous learning. Indeed, some research (e.g., Webb, Gill, & Poe, 2005) suggests that a multimodal delivery model may be ideal for case study-based work, with the combination of synchronous and asynchronous elements enabling students to participate more fully in cases. In the first half of this piece, we outline some key considerations for using case studies in a multimodal course. In the second half, we make targeted recommendations for effectively prepping, facilitating, and reflecting on your multimodal case studies.
Increase Engagement Now
Whether you’re halfway through the term or just getting started, this post presents actionable, simple strategies you can implement immediately to increase engagement in your course.
Increasing Engagement with Q&A Forums
In online courses, opportunities for student engagement need to be deliberately designed (Martin & Bolliger, 2018). One common way to promote student engagement online is through discussion forums, for which there are widespread established best practices. However, the Q&A discussion forum, which is typically not graded or required, is often thrown into a course without clear intentions or structure. When purposefully designed, a Q&A forum can facilitate the crucial engagement types that are essential to building a community of inquiry in an online classroom, ultimately improving student satisfaction and learning outcomes. These engagement types are student-content, student-student, and student-instructor (Bernard et al., 2009 as cited in Martin & Bolliger, 2018). A Q&A forum should incorporate best practices around all three engagement types.
Teaching Styles Blog Series: Introduction
This is the first in a series of blog posts examining online instructor teaching styles. In this post, we will characterize teaching styles, summarize Anthony Grasha’s typology of teaching styles, and discuss how identifying your teaching style (or styles!) can inform online course design and instruction. In subsequent posts, we will explore each of Grasha’s teaching styles in depth.
Teaching Styles Blog: Expert Style
This is the second in a series of blog posts examining online instructor teaching styles through the lens of Anthony Grasha’s (1994) typology. This post focuses on the expert style and how both course developers and instructors can embody this style in online courses.
Teaching Styles Blog: Formal Authority Style
This is the third in a series of blog posts examining online instructor teaching styles through the lens of Anthony Grasha’s (1994) typology. This post focuses on the formal authority style and how both course developers and instructors can embody this style in online courses.
Teaching Styles Blog: Personal Model Style
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts examining online instructor teaching styles through the lens of Anthony Grasha’s (1994) typology. This post focuses on the personal model style and how both course developers and instructors can embody this style in online courses.
Teaching Styles Blog: Facilitator Style
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts examining online instructor teaching styles through the lens of Anthony Grasha’s (1994) typology. This post focuses on the facilitator style and how both course developers and instructors can embody this style in online courses.