A recent Chronicle article suggested tips for looking “like a professor” on Zoom. Watch Dr. Andrew Ishak, of Santa Clara University, push back on this nonsensical notion in this humorous video.
Teaching, Tech, and Tidbits Digest
The posts below are from a bi-weekly digest that encapsulates a range of evidence-based best practices and cutting-edge insights on innovative teaching strategies, effective use of technology, student engagement techniques, and effective assessment, to name a few. The content, diligently curated or crafted by the director Dr. Lew Ludwig, is grounded in robust research and drawn from a wide array of innovative articles, books, and online resources. The goal is to support timely, ongoing faculty development with the most current and impactful knowledge in the field.
Tech – Tidying Your Tech for Semester’s End
With the end of the semester quickly approaching, here are some Tips for Wrapping Up Your Semester from ETS. This video was made in spring, but it is a good one to bookmark and watch at the end of each semester. Keep in mind that Notebowl feature updates occur during the semester breaks, so always backup your grade books.
Teaching – Take the Rubik’s Cube Challenge: An Expert Blind Spot Adventure
Looking for a fun and educational distraction over the break? Join colleagues from Furman University and Denison for a six-week Rubik’s Cube Challenge: An Expert Blindspot Adventure. Our recent experience with pandemic teaching has thrust us into novel learning environments and forced us to consider how best to learn under such conditions. One common challenge of expert instructors is understanding the learning needs of novice students, known as an expert blind spot.
Tidbit – Helping Students Finishing Strong
In our recent faculty meeting, we were encouraged to help out students finish strong. What can we do in the next few weeks to help our students successfully cross the finish line? This bulleted article from Faculty Focus tackles six scenarios you may be experiencing in your classes including:
- There are several students who have multiple missing assignments, despite the fact that you send frequent reminders and have increased communication in your class.
Tech – How to Administer Online Exams
Wondering how to set up your remote exams this year? Check out this ETS blog post for Tech Recommendations for Remote Exams. The EdTech team outlines three exam options, complete with videos and other resources, to help faculty with exams. If you need some additional support with setting up your remote exams, schedule a consultation with a Denison EdTech.
Teaching – Online and Take-home Exams
Exam week is remote this year. How do we structure our final assessments so students can demonstrate what they’ve learned, but minimize issues with academic integrity? We have several resources. Here are some tips from Mount Holyoke’s Teaching Center on alternatives to online exams. If an online exam is necessary, consider these suggestions from the Center at Amherst or this list of ideas from Inside Higher Ed.
Tidbit – Avoiding Faculty Burnout
2020 has been a challenging year. Four helpful tips in this Chronicle article to help avoid burnout.
Tech – Help Resolve Student Connectivity Issues
Are your remote students still having connectivity issues? This page on MyDenison has information about internet service providers and instructions for testing connection speed. Students may also find this ETS video Internet Connection Troubleshooting video useful. Refer students outside of the US to this resource: GlobalConnect VPN page on MyDenison. Other useful tips can be found here: Tip 5: Help remote students who have internet connectivity issues.
Teaching – Helping Students Get Through the Semester
Just a few more weeks – the end of the semester is in sight. You’re feeling it and so are your students. This Chronicle piece gives some practical advice on helping students finish the semester.
Tidbit – Reading the Zoom Room With Zoom Polls
Many of us are used to “reading our classroom” – getting a pulse of where our learning community is. We quickly track our students’ understanding of an idea or topic by their body language and facial expressions, or questions asked.This semester, with masked students in the hybrid setting and remote students a small image on our screen, we cannot get a clear sense of our students’ comprehension.