Humanized Online Teaching Showcase
Karen Nissen, History Instructor, Butte College
This site provides examples of instructional resources created in the Humanizing Online Teaching Academy, a professional development program at Butte College, funded by the Culturally Responsive Pedagogy & Practices grant from the California Community College Chancellor's Office.
Reflections
Reflections
Where I was.
Stuck and distant. I knew that I need to revise and improve my online courses, but I didn’t quite know how and in which direction. I didn’t feel the same connection to online students as I did with students in an in-person class. I wasn’t sufficiently visible in the course. I tried recording traditional lectures using Kaltura, but didn’t feel comfortable on-screen. Consequently, I compensated by providing students with a lot of written feedback, which I’m not always certain they read. I conveyed a professional but not always perhaps a warm, empathetic, human tone in these videos and comments. I lacked knowledge of instructional tools that would allow me to better connect with students.
Where I am.
Evolving. I now have a host of humanizing tools that I can use in all of my courses. I haven’t yet mastered them all but will continue to hone my skills and use these tools to foster greater peer interaction and to give assignment feedback. I’m feeling more comfortable recording videos (using Zoom, Flip, and Adobe Express) and recognize that perfect video recordings aren’t always effective in building trust and connections with students. Having been a student in the course, I more fully recognize the importance of empathy for student success and more mindful of how to create videos and assignments that convey greater empathy.
Where I am going.
In a new direction. I’m excited to apply both the Humanizing pedagogy and tools I’ve learned in this course. I’ll work on providing warm, wise feedback, and using kindness cues to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and inclusiveness. Doing so will require some significant course redesign. But I believe that students will have a more meaningful and successful learning experience and that I will become a better and more relatable instructor! “Life always begins with one step outside of your COMFORT ZONE.” (Shannon L. Alder). So it looks like I’ll be spending some time there!
Liquid Syllabus
Liquid Syllabus
I've designed my liquid syllabus to:
introduced myself and the course to students before the start of the semester
present myself as human, approachable and as an instructor who cares about their success in the course
help my students feel more comfortable navigating through my course before it starts
convey my teaching philosophy & expectations designed to facilitate trust and mutual respect
provide students with tools (Week 1 Success Kit) & foundational information (communication methods and course goals) which they can use to be successful in the course
Course Card
Course Card
I selected this image to reflect the character and content of the course: World History to 1500. More importantly, the image reflects the diversity of the peoples and cultures that will be studied in the course, and conveys each as unique, equal and comparatively. The image is designed to convey and promote diversity and inclusion.
Home Page
Homepage
I've designed the Homepage to:
incorporate an image that conveys the course subject matter as well as diversity
welcome students
introduce myself in humanizing video, so that I immediately feel approachable, relatable, as human
convey ways students can communicate with me, so they are able to easily contact me
provide information about how to navigate the course and links to access modules
This Homepage is a work in progress and will be improved, using pedagogy from the Humanizing Academy.
Getting to Know You Survey
Getting to Know You Survey
The "Getting to Know You Survey" is a way to
learn about the unique character of each individual student in the class and allows students to express their individuality
learn about the diversity (cultural, academic, etc.) of class members
better understand individual concerns and academic needs
convey instructor empathy
collect information which can be used when writing warm, wise instructor feedback, to help students be successful in the course
convey education as a life-long learning process
Ice Breaker
Ice Breaker or Wisdom Wall
Sharing stories is a way for individuals to communicate personal, formative experiences as well as a way to connect with others. It is a means of conveying how we differ and what we as humans have in common. Hence, for this Ice Breaker assignment I have students select and share with their peers a formative historical encounter. It is also designed to get students to think about history beyond the classroom and as something they experience daily. For this assignment students will learn how to use the Flip tool to create and share videos and to respond to peer posts.
Bumper Video
Bumper Video
My Bumper Video is designed to introduce students to primary and secondary sources, to define what they are and how they differ.
It is the first of three videos located in the "Evaluating Sources" Module that follows the Orientation Module.
Throughout the semester, students will read, assess and evaluate a number of primary and secondary sources to:
better understand ancient and medieval cultures
prepare for quizzes
write analytical essays using these sources
It is therefore imperative that they understand the nature and importance of these sources for the course.
Microlecture
Microlecture
This microlecture is the second of three located in the "Evaluating Sources" Module.
The first video introduced and defined what primary and secondary sources are and how they differ.
This second and longer video provides instructor tips designed to
provide student with approaches to reading that can enhance comprehension and retention of source information
aid students in developing/honing critical thinking and evaluation skills
inform students about how the sources will be used to learn about the cultures studied in the course as well as for assignments
to foster deeper learning and comprehension of course material