I consider myself to be relatively competent when it comes to using PowerPoint. However, when I read down through the hacks in the article linked below I found that there were some pretty amazing things that I will definitely be using in the future.
Teaching Virtually Using Zoom
With the pandemic, you have likely been forced to move to a model of teaching which includes virtual sessions. While we have offered training that many of you have taken advantage of, there continue to be some interesting developments related to using Zoom for teaching, either due to their constant upgrades or our new perceptions of how we can most effectively achieve student learning.
For instance, recent changes by Zoom have complicated the Host/cohost/alternate host status and what that means for your Zoom session. Joanne Caione-Keating at Widener University comments on this:
Here’s my understanding:
A cohost is different than an alternative host. The alternative host has all the same privileges but needs to be set up when the meeting is created. Cohost can be anyone and applied during a meeting, even a student, as long as they have a licensed account just like the host. A meeting has no controls unless the host or alternative host is present.
Adult Degree Completion programs, in most cases, will be returning to the classroom for the fall, however, it remains to be seen what that will look like and how many of these on-ground students will fully move back to a full on-ground experience or demand some kind of hybrid experience. Enhancing your skills to teach in a virtual environment seems like a good idea as the nature of what higher education looks like continues to evolve.
Zoom Video Conference – Why and How
You probably are already aware that you have access to a powerful video conference tool from inside Canvas, titled Zoom. I’ve included a picture of the link. Zoom is very easy to use and intuitive, meaning that you should be able to use it with only a little trial and error. Below I’m going to discuss Why you might want to use Zoom, and How to set it up and use it.
WHY
I’m going to list several scenarios in which you might benefit from using Zoom:
- As “office hour(s)” – Designate a time each week when you know you’ll be at your computer and start a zoom conference, posting the link in an announcement on the course-site in Canvas. One of the things I love about Zoom is that if
you minimize it, a small window stays active in the upper corner of your screen and you can easily see if anyone joins the conference and you can maximize Zoom. You can also post an announcement that “Office hours” are by appointment and set up your Zoom specific to any student who schedules an appointment - To record a presentation or tutorial. Zoom is perfect for recording a presentation or tutorial of some computer application. Whatever you can see on your desktop can be shown through Zoom and recorded and made available to students. This might be particularly useful for some of the trickier formulas or math related problems.
- To set up an optional (strictly voluntary) class meeting relative to a specific event, e.g. you could set up a Zoom to discuss political debates following the debates while everyone is still fresh.
- To bring in a guest lecturer to your class session. While you would still need to let the Dean know and get approval, this is a perfect way to bring someone into your class that you know can bring some specialized knowledge or a powerful story to connect with your students. This way your guest could be literally anywhere in the world and still present in your classroom.
- These are only a few ideas, but I’m sure you are getting the idea.
HOW
Starting a Zoom is very easy, all you will need is your Belhaven login and password. Once you click on the Zoom link you will want to “Host” a meeting after you enter your credentials. To invite others, either email them the link or post the link in an announcement on your course site. I’ve included a video below which walks you through the process.
Let me know how it works for you.
Poll Everywhere – What, Why, How
WHAT?
Poll Everywhere is a web-based tool which easily builds into powerpoint presentations to allow students to respond from their mobile devices. It presents the results in real time, allowing for evaluation of knowledge, or as a prompt for discussion.
Here is a short video which demonstrates it’s use.
WHY?
Using Polleverywhere is relatively simple and can definitely liven up a presentation. It also allows individuals who rarely speak in class to contribute in a low threat environment. Using this type of tool makes the discussion more relevant and students experience a greater sense of understanding the material
HOW?
The video above describes the process pretty clearly, but here is an article which also goes into detail about how to use Poll Everywhere:
Great ways to use Poll Everywhere in the classroom
Test Review???
I posted this initially in April of 2017 but I thought I’d share it again since I believe it can be an exceptionally good way to review for tests, not to mention reinforcing information in a way that engages the students and creates a little fun along the way:
I know you are always on the lookout for an activity to use after 9:00 that will actively engage students and make that last hour meaningful.
Here is one activity that will do that. Kahoot. Kahoot is a classroom engagement software that is free to instructors and provides an interesting way to engage students in content. I’ve included some links to a couple of tutorials about how to use Kahoot below.
It will involve you setting up the activity in advance but on the plus side, it can be used over and over again as you teach the class. This would make a great test-review session and could spark some interesting discussion as well. Don’t be put off that the tutorials are based on secondary education models – this will work just as well for adults in that last hour of class. I’ve been in a session when this was used and I can personally vouch for how effective it is.
Please post a reply to this if you use it and let me know how it went.
Grading in Speed Grader and Feedback Studio
This was a webinar which was just presented by Dr. Kim Priesmeyer, Dean of the Center for Teaching and Learning. The webinar was recorded and can be viewed at this LINK.
This was one of our best attended webinars and a LOT of great information was shared about using Speed Grader and Feedback Studio. The conversation evolved into best practices related to grading overall and I know you will find something useful in this presentation. I hope you will take the time to watch/listen to the presentation.
Dr. Priesmeyer, in her new role as Dean of the Center for Teaching and Learning, is also interested in hearing from you about other webinars or faculty development experiences. You can contact her at: kpriesmeyer@belhaven.edu.
Using clips from 60 Minutes in your class
I attended a faculty workshop at Jackson where one of the librarians from Belhaven’s Library shared how to access their database of clips from 60 Minutes to use in class. This is a great way to start a discussion and present different perspectives. Here is the process:
- From the Belhaven homepage, click on Library under Academics
- Scroll down and click on Databases (in the gold box)
- Scroll down to the bottom of the list of databases and click on 60 Minutes: 1997-2014. It’s the last database listed.
- You will have to enter your Belhaven credentials to access the material
Here are some of the searchable categories:
Subjects
- Terrorism (173)
- War (128)
- Presidents (126)
- Politics (103)
- Film and films (81)
- Medical treatments and procedures (81)
- International relations (80)
- Economic conditions (71)
- Laws and legislation (70)
- Actors (68)
- Criminal investigations (67)
- Murder (58)
- Soldiers (55)
- Government (52)
- History (52)
- Television programs (52)
- Trials and litigation (49)
- Elections (48)
- Election campaigns (47)
- Children (45)
- Health care issues (45)
- Scientific research (45)
- Technology (44)
- Health (43)
- Internet (43)
- More…
This is a great way to augment your class – give it a try and let me know how it goes.
Webinars to Inform and Improve
Greetings,
We are working on a re-design for the Faculty Resources tab of our site and in the process the webinars, which have been listed there, have all been moved to YouTube for easier access. As I was compiling these links I reviewed some of the webinars and was reminded of the wealth of information these contain. I’m posting that information below and encourage you to look over the list and review a couple yourself – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Don’t forget to register for the upcoming Webinar of the Faculty’s Role in Student Retention – see the calendar link on this page to register.
APA and Grading Writing Across the Curriculum. Presenter: Dr. Everett Wade https://youtu.be/HFeLIpg2lUk
Bring Life to Your Classroom. Presenter: Dr. Ed Garrett https://youtu.be/urKi7DGVGQM
Christian Worldview: Practical Applications for the Classroom. Presenter: Dr. Paul Criss https://youtu.be/jFm9nNoFoXc
Effective Use of Library Resources. Presenter: Dr. Kim Priesmeyer https://youtu.be/CxpBGF8AHAs
Introducing Critical Thinking into the Classroom. Presenter: Rosemary Foncree https://youtu.be/HotogEC0PEc
Plagiarism: Helping Your Students Avoid It. Presenter: Dr. Kim Priesmeyer https://youtu.be/jFmhBggVdzw
Student Engagement Strategy: Experimentation. Presenter: Dr. Thomas Randolph https://youtu.be/vvOAQl2Q_48
Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Foster Critical Thinking. Presenters: Dr. Jerald Meadows & Elizabeth Juneau https://youtu.be/Qdt7Mu5sGno
Using Canvas to Facilitate Team Projects. Presenter: Dr. Rick Upchurch https://youtu.be/RWuMnPtAvZA
Millennials in the Classroom. Presenter: Emma Morris https://youtu.be/0kgNsVN3SDs
Canvas Updates 2017. Presenter: Joe Villarreal https://youtu.be/0wWkVfKNNbA
Andragogy: Adult Learning Theory Applied. Presenter: Dr. Rick Upchurch https://youtu.be/KnDc3zfpvrs
Accessing Case Studies from Belhaven Library. Presenter: Charles Gaudin https://youtu.be/3k_X6RQ5jvM
Canvas Updates
A webinar going over the most recent Canvas updates and answering questions was conducted on October 25th. Joe Villarreal, our resident Canvas expert and technician led the webinar and shared a LOT of great material that will definitely be useful to you.
Joe does a great job in these webinars and always presents in a way to make things easy to understand. I know you will get something out of it and I urge you to take the time to watch the recording of this webinar:
Video Clips
I just ran across an amazing website that has a variety of video clips which can be used for educational purposes without fear of violating copyright, and which are broken down into easy searchable categories. The site is called ClassHook. The video clips can be used for free. The clips are classroom appropriate (which you can’t always say about youtube or vimeo, and teacher reviewed. Check it out here: https://www.classhook.com/
Here are a couple of reviews of ClassHook: