Another New Thing I'd Like to Try

I'd like to try revising/improving my work based on feedback from the instructor of this course. Unfortunately, he has chosen to give absolutely zero feedback on any assignments or within any discussion forums throughout the entire eight weeks (to be fair, there was a presence in the introductions forum the very first week, but that's not feedback). Maybe this very last week he will leave some sort of comment on something. Maybe then I could give this a try! However, looking at the other scrapbook submissions I assume I'll get the same three sentence response as everyone else:

1. Good/nice/excellent scrapbook
2. I hope you'll continue to use it/add items/make it a resource
3. Thank you and good luck/best wishes in your online teaching

Template feedback is all fine and good if it isn't so obvious to the students that you're just writing the same comments on everyone's assignments, especially when the timestamps reveal the feedback was posted on several submissions within the same eight minute window. Why do that publicly anyway, particularly after being completely absent in the forums since the beginning of the course? Also, it would take maybe an extra ten seconds per student to add one sentence that mentions something specific from the students' work so they know the instructor had taken more than a cursory glance at it just to be able to fill out that slot in the gradebook.

Something New - LucidChart, a Mind-Mapping Tool

One way I try to get a mental handle on a large amount of information is by drawing it out. For fun, I decided to give Lucidchart a try, a tech tool which allows you to create digital mind maps. Here's an example of a chart I drafted using this free online tool:

Hint: use the zoom tools for a closer look, or the box icon to display in full screen mode.

Lucidcharts can be shared in many ways: you can share a link, embed the chart (like above) using the embed code option, or even post to Facebook. Instructors could use it to create infographics, graphic organizers, or other such content for their courses.

Even better than that, you can invite others to collaborate, making it a great tool for groups. Students could use it for brainstorming, organizing information, or assembling group projects. The maps auto-save in the cloud, making it much harder for students to "lose." Also, all group members will always be working with the most current version when collaborating.

There is also a comment/chat tool, which could be used in a variety of ways. Students can share their work with instructors, who can then provide feedback within the project. Students could then respond or ask clarifying questions, and the instructor and student could have a running conversation on the project either asynchronously or in real time. In the same way group members could also have either a synchronous or synchronous chat about their project throughout its duration.

If you're looking for a mind-mapping tool, give this one a shot - you won't be disappointed!

Canvas Conferences - A Synchronous Opportunity

There are many tools that will allow you to communicate synchronously with your online, blended, or even face-to-face courses. If you are a Canvas LMS user, one such integrated tool is the Conferences feature utilizing Big Blue Button. This tool allows entire classes to virtually meet and communicate utilizing text/audio/video chat (whole group, small group, or private), document sharing and annotation, desktop sharing, audience interaction, and even multiple presenters. Conferences can be recorded and saved in the course shell for up to 14 days - perfect for students who are not able to attend the synchronous session or those who need to return to it to review specific sections. View a quick overview below (hint: click the box icon next to the YouTube logo in the lower corner to display the video in full screen mode - or click the YouTube link itself to view in full screen via their site if your browser has disabled full screen viewing - so that it's easier to see everything!).

There are several ways you could use this type of synchronous session to support your instruction. First, this would be a terrific way to offer a review or study session, reinforcing previous knowledge. You could "meet" with groups to discuss project proposals, conduct a spot-check and provide feedback, or have them present. You could even do the same with individuals - a virtual one-on-one conference. If you play around with it, I'm sure you'll come up with many more uses!

A Little More Asynchronousity - Submission Comments

A great tool for asynchronous communication within the Canvas LMS is the submission comment area. Instructors and students can have a running conversation regarding a specific assignment right alongside that assignment. Both can even record or upload audio as well as video comments.

As we know, frequent, personalized feedback from the instructor that advances learning is a critical component of online courses.

Here's a screenshot of the sidebar of the Speedgrader screen for an assignment that was resubmitted multiple times. With each submission the student and I were able to communicate back and forth about the assignment. Student information has of course been blurred to protect privacy.



The ability to include video is invaluable, because narrated screencasts can convey so much more information than typed text alone. But, simply having the tool to easily communicate about an assignment is in itself very helpful.

Google Forms for Online Quizzes and Surveys

It seems like Google has a solution for everything, doesn't it? Quizzes and surveys are no exception; enter Google Forms!

I have been a Google Form user for quite some time. I use them extensively for surveys, particularly for early and end of course feedback in courses. I prefer to use this over the built-in survey feature of the LMS because:

1. It boosts student confidence in the anonymity factor when the feedback surveys don't look like LMS quizzes.
2. It produces beautiful visuals of the aggregate and individual data.
3. I can embed the same survey across multiple sections, which automatically aggregates the data for me (I include can provide a dropdown menu of sections as one of the questions if I need to parse out the responses).
4. It embeds very well in our LMS.

My department also uses Google Forms to collect data in other ways. For example, it's a great way to keep track of proposals for in-service sessions or other events. We link a Google Form into the LMS for faculty to request sandbox courses, so that we get all the information we need in one shot without having to send out pesky follow-up emails - it also allows us to keep track of all of the sandboxes we have created and when.

Graded quizzes, however, is a feature that was just released this past summer, so setting up a quiz in Google Forms was a new experience. I love that you can embed YouTube videos and images into Google Forms, adding the multimedia touch. This also allows you to use a "quiz" as an instructional tool; you can include whatever content you'd like, then add comprehension check questions to make sure that students are grasping the concepts (and actually viewing your videos!).

Interested in seeing what this would look like? Take my sample Google Forms quiz - enjoy!