A list of things that I’ve been gathering, including some picked up from a MAA math webinar. I’m adding to this list as I go:
- The monitoring exams software seems to have some very easy work arounds. Namely students have their phone next to the computer/camera being monitored. In one class, a network of students were helping via phones. While I applaud the group work, I’m pretty sure it was counterproductive.
- Having students take quizzes by themselves and then as a group seems to work well.
- One teacher puts in the syllabus and makes everyone sign it that on each exam she will randomly pick a student to test orally. She said that she has them talk through how they answered a question that they got correct. According to her this seems to be effective at keeping cheating down, when the word spreads that she is doing this. She also has students save their scrap work and turn that in if needed.
- Breakout Groups in zoom are possible with the full version, and Canvas or Teams. If you have a large class use the random group function and have students chat/text if they have a problem with group members. Groups of 4-5 seem to be optimal to account for folks coming and going. If class is smaller you can ask students if there is anyone they CAN’T work with or that they WANT to work with. Teacher tries to make this possible.
- Adding students to Teams can be done by hand for smaller classes, for larger, consider sending students a link to the Team and having them add themselves. Working on an admin option.
- many schools are assigning grades Pass/No Record this term.
- Using a piece of paper, writing on it and holding it up on zoom seems to work fairly well. BOLD is more useful than large. (see below). Also interestingly, when you look at yourself (self view) in zoom, it looks backward, but it’s being seen forward! Promise.
- A math class with working through problems that usually takes 50 minutes took over 2 hours by zoom.
- Zoom is live: https://uoregon.zoom.us/
- Panopto has some quirks. I’m figuring them out and happy to consult anytime.
- looking for asynchronous ice breakers. Found these:http://www.emoderationskills.com/six-favourite-teaching-online-activities/
- from wonderful teacher Tricia Bevans: “Which One Doesn’t Belong” Activities! The idea is that there should be at least one reason why _each_of the four pictures/equations/phrases don’t belong. The reasons can be fairly obvious (one is a different color than the others) or less so. I usually give some brief quiet thinking time then ask them to share with a partner which they thought didn’t belong, then together come up with a reason that each of the four doesn’t belong. For a zoom version I might have them type their choice in the chat window without pressing enter, then on my signal have everyone press enter so we could all see the choices. Then I could ask someone if they’d be willing to share why they thought “choice A” didn’t belong, etc. More examples at: http://wodb.ca/
- Here’s one for synchronous sessions: use the Teams or Zoom built-in whiteboard (it’s in the share screen options) to have students doodle before class.
- students are stressed, be compassionate. They may be sharing phone data to take classes.
- sample syllabus language: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ONVK6-VDHwC6ssEMbl5UiXagUFjBGCX-ixzTkRyimo4/edit?fbclid=IwAR2rnEO7Q6KuJzi9oQyZmF65IB_67x3_BtUpISnj51f5p0SEuSm1bD9dhr4
- office hours with zoom, if you are planning to do 1 on 1 (using the calendar function on canvas), set up the waiting room in case you run over: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115000332726-Waiting-Room?fbclid=IwAR1u1Twnahicbv3R-hlUUeqCfewntZnPeDfJUr3ZIKMH44RzyhzgXwl0Gss
- having students turn off video during class is helpful, a wave/check in at the end was fun
Also:
For assignments: In canvas, don’t use the Until date, do use the DUE date for assignments
Canvas prerequisites: You can use the lock until to keep students from doing all of the assignments ahead of time, especially good for group assignments.
