Communication: The key to Success in Online Courses

It should come as no surprise that timely communication and interaction between instructor and student is one of the absolute key features of a successful online course.  Now, while student-student interaction is useful (it happens far too infrequently in a face-to-face class), it is the instructor's engagement (note that I did not say the student's engagement) with the course and the course participants that is most important.

Introduction to Digital History Goes Live

After a lot of years to develop the course, teach it on campus, get it added to the state and college curriculum, and then transform it into an online course, I finally have my Introduction to Digital History course being offered online. That was about a five-year process, and I am constantly adding materials to the course as I come across new digital tools and projects.

Implementing the Seven Principles

for those of you who might have missed this years ago, let me call attention to the article by Arthur Chickering and Stephen Ehrmann, Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever (There are many versions available online if this link doesn't work). While pretty simple in theory, it is also clear that there is no mention in these principles of the word "technology," and that is the kicker. Because while you encourage all you want contacts and collaboration between students, if the technology (BB) does not allow that in a non-disruptive manner, your course is going nowhere.

Should I Write More about QM rubric

Besides the fact that it is a commercial product? in a non-profit world of higher education (often public education)? Wonder why we can't have our own rubric, to fit our specific institution's goals and objectives, to fit our student audience?  Instead, we're supposed to use an off-the-shelf commercial product (like Blackboard)?  Isn't that crazy?

The Travails of Being an Adjunct Instructor

Tanya Paperny, I was a professor at four universities. I still couldn’t make ends meet.

One former adjunct describes a system that's untenable. (Washington Post, 6 March)

More than 500 comments in less than a day. Adjuncts are clearly taken advantage of by universities and colleges and deserve more pay and respect.

Engaging Students Online

College staff sent out this suggested reading recently:
Dr. Al-Malood, 10 Ways to Increase Student Engagement Online.

Most of these are pretty good ideas.  My key point is that students should not feel alone out there.  When they submit an assignment or a question, you've got to get back to them asap.  You've got to send out reminder and hint emails periodically (every week).  Students need to feel engaged with the instructor.

Great Article Title on Connected Learning

But little data or elaboration. See, Why Are We Still Learning Alone? Why Connection Is More Important Than Ever #FuturesEd. I  am not sure about this but haven't we always learned alone? Even when I was in an elementary, or junior high, or high school classroom decades ago, I was learning alone, although in the company of classmates. This is an interesting thought, and I'd like to see it developed a bit more.