From summer institute happy hour with Elly V. and Carl Wieman(!) with a general discussion:
Big message: Students need to be engaged. We have lots of opportunities for split attention, and this is terrible for learning. Students need to be interested and generally struggle with something, so that when you tell them something, they are prepared to pay attention b/c you are talking about something they are interested in what you have to say. Students are actively prepared to listen and you are keeping them intently engaged. (Consider this metaphor: Give students a ticket to the bus)
What we know now: Students want and prefer synchronous classes. They want the structure of having to show up at a specific time and the interaction with other students and the teacher.
Use of the breakout rooms can be effective. These are vital for success:
Establish norms of behavior – CWSEI suggestions here
Have clear goals for the room
can be that you require a deliverable from the room
or have a quiz for students to do in the room – use google forms, poll everywhere, kahoot!, others?
post a .pdf, worksheet, activities might be to: draw this, explain how it changes, etc. . Breakout rooms are not good for the take 30 seconds to talk to your neighbor or discuss an answer that they already agree on.
Have them be about 3-4 people – if you keep the same groups for multiple classes, do try to ask if there is someone a student CAN’T work with
value of using google docs/or MS Word 365 (which UO has!) to share things easily and report out, instructor available to jump in to listen in and answer questions
use the GEs and/or the LAs for each group
Require audio, encourage video – especially in the breakout rooms
other tips: cluster a few clicker question together, discuss as a breakout group and then come back to larger group.
takes much less time to record live!
if pre-recording, plant a student to ask questions during a lecture recording
If lots of what you are posting are pre-recorded lectures, consider posting more informal video announcements
Have quiz questions from each class. Have them open for 24-48 hours after class for any student who couldn’t attend live.
If students are in different time zones, consider having a group that meets at a different time to accommodate this.
Not sure what to do about technology fails from the instructor. But, for students the general agreement seems to be to hold the class live and record it for those who can’t make it.
Turning off your video can smooth the feed often times. If you get booted, someone else will be made host and you can go right back in. Communicate a policy in advance so students don’t scatter.
cswsei – give students something to figure out
Survey for student or faculty feedback about online teaching developed by Carl Wieman at Stanford:
http://wiemangroup.stanford.edu/background-online-teaching-surveys-4-10-20/