OATES Conference
Write-up
Friday, October 26, 2012
How do we maximize the online time, keep the connections
with students, and make the most or limited face-to-face time? The idea of
“flipping the classroom” may provide some ideas. Flipping the classroom means
that the lectures are online, allowing students to view (and review) at their
own pace. The in-person time is then used for hands-on interactions and
collaboration. Because a picture saves 1000 words, here is an infographic about
flipped classrooms: http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/
Moreover, we know that students learn at their own pace.
Some need a break after 5 or 15 minutes. Others will want to speed up through
parts that are review. Some will want to go back and review (and even review
again). Flipping the classroom means that students have greater control over
the pacing of information intake. Salman Khan talks about what he learned and
the future of education after the unexpected success what started as videos for
his cousins and turned into the Khan Academy:
http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/salman_khan_let_s_use_video_to_reinvent_education.html
Tools for making more engaging online presentations have
come a long way, and they do take practice. When looking at these tools, it is
important not only to think about how you can use them as instructors, but how
your students can use them. Being able to offer a verbal 3 minute summary
presentation is a valuable skill. Can you get the same point across in 1.5
minutes? Even better in some situations. Recording our lectures makes us think
more about what we say and how we want to say it. Next time you record a
lecture, go back and listen to it, putting yourself in the students’ place.
Many of you may also be tired of grading written work. What
about having students turn in visual assignments using these tools? It will
definitely make them think differently, and given that most of these are free
or cheap, does not place a technological or cost burden on the student.
So, what are these tools? I’ve listed several below. Some
are tablet only (and finally…tools for the iPad!). Others you will need to use
with a laptop or desktop.
Up to 3 minutes of screen casting from your iPad. You can
annotate images and photos, or – using a stylus – create a Khan Academy like
show.
Create videos using a white board (Khan Academy-like) on
your iPad, record your PowerPoint or Kenote presentation while annotating it
with highlights and laser features. Exports file in a variety of formats,
including to your DropBox folder.
NearPod
Allows students to follow along in the presentation on their
own device. You can build in assessments
and polls during the presentation for real-time feedback.
Extranormal
http://www.xtranormal.com/
free to $10/month
laptop/desktop
Extranormal
http://www.xtranormal.com/
free to $10/month
laptop/desktop
Take scripts and turn them into animated conversations.
Create up to 5 minute screen captures, whether it is a
PowerPoint, features in Excel, exploring a website, etc. It’s also a great
resource to provide feedback verbally instead of writing it. Because it
captures your screen and voice, you can show as well as describe making it
easier and less time consuming. If this looks familiar, it’s because this is a
repeat, but worth mentioning as soon we will have access to a similar Techsmith
product Camtasia Relay (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia-relay.html)
Polleverwhere
http://www.polleverywhere.com/
free to $15/month (more expensive plans exist)
laptop/desktop
http://www.polleverywhere.com/
free to $15/month (more expensive plans exist)
laptop/desktop
OK…so you have “flipped” but still have in-person lectures.
What can you do to encourage interactivity? Try embedding polls and questions.
Students respond using their phones for instant feedback.
In closing, if you are interested in learning more about
“e-learning and digital cultures,” check out this free MOOC through Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/course/edc
For more information about OATS, visit: http://wordpress.up.edu/oats/
