Sunday, May 23, 2010
Module #4 Assessment Feedback
After watching the videos on assessment feedback students had received, I evaluated my classroom practiced and found that I tend to do some of the same things these students talked about. Often times when I finally make it to the end assessment in a unit I am so DONE with the concepts I have been teaching that the last thing I want to do is provide all this great feedback to kids and then have them retake an assessment. My goal this year is to do more formative assessments along the way in the form of short tests to ensure students have learned a few concepts at a time, rather than a huge unit end test.
Module #3:
Article Review-
Benefits of Using Discussion Boards in Your Classes, www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collabortory.com
Improving the Use of Discussion Boards,
www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collaborary.com
In both Benefits of Using Discussion Boards and Improving Use of Discussion Boards, the writers express how effective the use of discussion boards in your online classroom are. Students who may not express themselves in a traditional classroom are more apt to express their ideas in a classroom discussion board online. The first article also explains how a student that may not feel comfortable in the social aspects of a traditional classroom will feel more comfortable in an online discussion board because it removes the social aspect of the class. In an online classroom equipped with discussion boards, students are also more likely to cite specific readings and course information. The discussions that take place between classmates is usually deeper and at a higher level when completed on a discussion board.
Both articles are helpful for a teacher new to online teaching, as well as a teacher who may be a vet to online teaching. I personally found the article helpful in reiterating that the online blog I use in my current traditional classroom may be enhancing my students experience more than I had originally thought. The articles also pointed out what I have always thought to be true, that the online classroom removes some of the racial and gender inequalities that happen in the classroom at times.
What I found to be somewhat unrealistic is that the article states that the online discussion board will create a better student to student interaction, but I find that hard to believe. For me, I find it easier to make a relationship with someone who is there face to face rather than one that you don't actually see daily. Although this may be the case, one way to avoid this is to allow for the use of webcams in your online class to help create that bond.
Again, I would recommend this article to a co-worker who may be interested in teaching an online course.
Article Review-
Benefits of Using Discussion Boards in Your Classes, www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collabortory.com
Improving the Use of Discussion Boards,
www.wpi.edu/Academics/ATC/Collaborary.com
In both Benefits of Using Discussion Boards and Improving Use of Discussion Boards, the writers express how effective the use of discussion boards in your online classroom are. Students who may not express themselves in a traditional classroom are more apt to express their ideas in a classroom discussion board online. The first article also explains how a student that may not feel comfortable in the social aspects of a traditional classroom will feel more comfortable in an online discussion board because it removes the social aspect of the class. In an online classroom equipped with discussion boards, students are also more likely to cite specific readings and course information. The discussions that take place between classmates is usually deeper and at a higher level when completed on a discussion board.
Both articles are helpful for a teacher new to online teaching, as well as a teacher who may be a vet to online teaching. I personally found the article helpful in reiterating that the online blog I use in my current traditional classroom may be enhancing my students experience more than I had originally thought. The articles also pointed out what I have always thought to be true, that the online classroom removes some of the racial and gender inequalities that happen in the classroom at times.
What I found to be somewhat unrealistic is that the article states that the online discussion board will create a better student to student interaction, but I find that hard to believe. For me, I find it easier to make a relationship with someone who is there face to face rather than one that you don't actually see daily. Although this may be the case, one way to avoid this is to allow for the use of webcams in your online class to help create that bond.
Again, I would recommend this article to a co-worker who may be interested in teaching an online course.
Module #2
Article Bibliography:
Holman, Janice, "Bridging the Divide: From Outsider to Insider in Online Learning" March 7, 2007. www.ccv.edu/2007/03
The three articles presented in module number two emphasize the importance of creating a "social network" of sorts for your online classroom. The use of icebreakers to help set the tone for your online community are an important way to ensure your community members feel welcomed and a crucial part of the class. All three articles emphasize the need to make students feel an important part of the online classroom by addressing all members. You must also continually provide feedback to all students enrolled.
I found all three articles beneficial to educators, though some of it was redundant to what we had already read in previous articles. I agree that setting a tone in your classroom of inquiry and open communication is key for a successful classroom tone. The use of ice breakers is a great way to help set this tone and allow students to get to know each other.
What I found lacking in the articles were new ideas. Many of us have used ice breakers in our regular classroom, and the ones listed were okay to use for online classes, but I think I would probably think of ones that were a little more creative. The base idea was good.
I would recommend these articles and sites for someone new to online teaching.
Article Bibliography:
Holman, Janice, "Bridging the Divide: From Outsider to Insider in Online Learning" March 7, 2007. www.ccv.edu/2007/03
The three articles presented in module number two emphasize the importance of creating a "social network" of sorts for your online classroom. The use of icebreakers to help set the tone for your online community are an important way to ensure your community members feel welcomed and a crucial part of the class. All three articles emphasize the need to make students feel an important part of the online classroom by addressing all members. You must also continually provide feedback to all students enrolled.
I found all three articles beneficial to educators, though some of it was redundant to what we had already read in previous articles. I agree that setting a tone in your classroom of inquiry and open communication is key for a successful classroom tone. The use of ice breakers is a great way to help set this tone and allow students to get to know each other.
What I found lacking in the articles were new ideas. Many of us have used ice breakers in our regular classroom, and the ones listed were okay to use for online classes, but I think I would probably think of ones that were a little more creative. The base idea was good.
I would recommend these articles and sites for someone new to online teaching.
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