Teaching
in an Online
Environment
Sharing Best Practices
Devon Mordell, Program for Faculty Development, McMaster University
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Schedule
12.30PM – 2PM
Teaching in the Online Environment Session
2PM – 2.15PM
Break & refreshments
2.15PM – 3.15PM
Teaching in the Online Environment (ctd.)
3.15PM – 4PM
Poster Session
4PM – 6PM
Henry & Sylvia Wong Forum in Medicine
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Roadmap:
Teaching in an Online Environment
Introductions
Netiquette
Technology Tour
Copyright
Accessibility
Strategies for
Engagement
Feedback
Period
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Introducing…
• Your name & department
• According to the candy:
Strawberry:
– what technologies you use in your teaching
Lifesaver:
– what you hope to come away with today
Whirly-mint:
– what technologies you are curious about
Navigate to: http://rivet.mcmaster.ca/fdd.html
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The Technologies
Whirlwind tour…
Lecture Capture
Discussion Forums
Online Testing
Digital Surveys
Learning Management Systems
Content Management Systems
Mobile Technologies
Web Conferencing
E-learning Modules
…or more in depth?
Blogs and Wikis
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Glossary
Some terms I’ll be using…
• Synchronous communications/technologies
• Asynchronous communications/technologies
• Distance education
• Blended learning/classroom
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Content Management Systems
Software: Joomla (http://www.joomla.org/)
FHS: Event tracker & customized solutions
Useful use: LMS for non-McMaster students
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Discussion Forums
Software: many… (often in LMS)
FHS: Questions from distance ed students
Useful use: FAQ’s – a timesaver!
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Blogs & Wikis
Software: Wordpress/PM Wiki (through library)
FHS: Student assignments, faculty activities
Useful use: reflective learning for students
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Digital Surveys
Software: LimeSurvey (http://www.limesurvey.org/)
FHS: Research, needs assessment
Useful use: course evaluations
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Online Testing Software
Software: TCExam (http://www.tcexam.org/)
FHS: Student testing
Useful use: well, testing students
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Mobile Learning
Platforms: iOS (Apple) and Android (Google)
FHS: Radiation Oncology learning app
Useful use: still waiting…
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Web-conferencing
Software: Elluminate (https://maclive.mcmaster.ca)
FHS: Weekly PBL Tutorials in Midwifery
Useful use: virtual offices
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Web-conferencing
Tool rich:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Communication Tools
Feedback and Assessment Tools
Distribution Tools
Presentation Tools
Collaboration Tools
Archiving Tools
But… must have technical support in place
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Learning Management Systems
Software: Desire2Learn (http://avenue.mcmaster.ca)
FHS: also LearnLink & Medportal
Useful use: consolidating course content
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Learning Management Systems
Learning management system (LMS) with:
• discussion forums
• quizzes
• grade reporting
• content management
And eventually…
• learning repository
• e-portfolios
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Lecture Capture
Software: Camtasia
(http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/)
FHS: SRS ROM and Splinting modules
Useful use: study aid for students
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Lecture Capture
• recording of a lecture: audio and slides
• unobtrusive
• quick to produce
But…
• tends to be less polished
• live event is primary
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e-Learning Modules
Software: Articulate
(http://www.articulate.com/)
FHS: online training & distance education
Useful use: supplementary content
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e-Learning Modules
• used to create online modules from PPT
• can produce polished modules
• added functionality
• (relatively) easy to learn and use
But…
• resource intensive
• Useful use: supplementary resources
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On Netiquette
Creating the ‘rules of
engagement’ for online
interactions should be a
collaborative activity
…rules for asynchronous technologies
…rules for synchronous technologies
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On Copyright
The Internet is NOT
the Public Domain
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Exceptions to Copyright
The Education Exception
• Allows for the projecting of works in class
• Does NOT apply to online courses
Worry not, there’s always… THE HYPERLINK
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Creative Commons
& other friendly folks
Or, use works that are:
• creative commons* or
• in the public domain
*Don’t forget to attribute CC works!
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On Accessibility
Start by creating a culture of inclusivity
• Announce your commitment to accessibility
• Incorporate Universal Design Principles
• Ask questions around accessibility when
evaluating new technologies
• Identify your support network & resources
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WCAG
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#contents
Level A (lowest) to Level AAA (highest)
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Accessibility Tools
• Wave (check ALT tag):
http://wave.webaim.org/
• Vischek (simulate colour blindness):
http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/vischeckURL.ph
p
• Colour contrast analyser:
http://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/
• Captions: YouTube, Camtasia & Articulate
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Reconvening…
Meet back in
MDCL 3015 at 2.15PM
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Strategies for Engagement
In groups, discuss strategies for engagement
in one of three teaching technologies:
• web conferencing (synchronous)
• e-learning module (asynchronous)
• learning management system
(asynchronous)
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Where do we go from here…?
Workshops
– Audio
– Presentation Tools (PowerPoint, Prezi)
– Accessibility
– Creating and using images
– What would you like to attend?
– What format do you prefer?
Other resources?
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Subjectives
What did you take away from the day?
• Things you learned
• Neat factoids you remember
• Technologies you might like to try
• Strategies you’ll implement
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Evaluations
Please let me know what you
found useful, and what I could do
better next time…
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Thanks!
Contact me:
Devon Mordell
MDCL 3510
905.525.9140 x 21681
rivet@mcmaster.ca
http://fhsed.mcmaster.ca/wordpress
http://rivetier.mcmaster.ca
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