Linda Johnson, Butte College
Humanizing Online Teaching Showcase
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
Where I was
What an adventure! I thought I was pretty good at humanizing, being a psychologist and all. I was pretty happy with my classes. The organization was clean, narratives warm, late policy flexible and I worked hard to give personalized feedback. What I didn't know was how powerful seeing faces can be in fostering connection, and that connection is a core motive for students. I also didn't realize how intimidating some of our materials can be to new , and how much fear inhibits learning. My classes were good; now I feel like they will come alive.
Where I am
I feel that I now have the knowledge and tools to level up my classes! I learned the power of the human face to bridge the etheric space we teach in and tools for bringing not just my presence but also that of students into our online experience. I saw modeled how the frequent, short videos of Michelle both teaching and encouraging nudged me forward while feeling supported along the way. It added a comfort to the experience that comes from inducing a sense of togetherness. It was helpful to learn how to add a little more "demander" into the "warm demander" approach. And I love knowing how to use tools that can bring student voices into the class and enable them to create together.
Where I am going
Straight to add these insights and tools to my classes! It's exciting, fun, a little time consuming but deeply rewarding. Each of the elements we learned about directly reinforces student engagement, connection and agency, With my current awareness, it seems like implementing the Ideas I learned will provide my students with a considerably richer, more fulfilling online class experience. I still have a ways to go to become proficient in these tools but I'm excited, and grateful.
Liquid Syllabus
I feel so much warmer and real with this new syllabus structure. I've noticed from pre-semester emails from students that receiving this in advance would quell a lot of anxiety. It was a relief to learn how to evoke a friendly tone in this traditionally cool and intimidating document. I learned that the syllabus can simultaneously be inviting and set parameter. I also like the professional look. I am hoping students will experience this new syllabus as an insculsive introduction to what's ahead and that we are partners in learning.
Course Card
The first thing that blew me away in this course was realizing the powerful draw of faces. I couldn't believe how much more my eyes drifted to images with figures or faces of people, which seems especially right for psychology. I like this image as it's friendly, reflects a sense of togetherness and diversity., and enthusiasm.
Homepage
The green opening theme of people milling about is upbeat and attuned with the idea of growth. I added another video with a big smile and "Welcome! talk bubble as a kindness cue and to create a sense of ease about exploring the course. There are clear "Begin Here!" instructions and upcoming due dates are listed. Students will also find how to contact me. The last thing on this page is the master link to Student Resources.
Getting to Know You Survey
At first a bit hesitant, I am now a big fan of the Getting to Know You Survey, Especially since learning about the "Notes" column in "Grades" - a true game changer! I know we feel more vested in things that we give input on, so this is another one that should have already occurred to me. I have been seeking ways to strengthen students sense of agency in the course and I think this starts that our right up front, while also giving me important insights about the students, like "What are some obstacles that could get in the way of your success in the class" and "Is there anything that you would like me to know"?
Ice Breaker with Flip
I'm pretty excited to try this new ice-breaker assignment with Flip! It suprised me how much seeing my classmates' faces through the Flip tool fostered a sense of connection and even motivation. This ice-breaker invites students to select and share a value important to them from a list provided, then to find an object that is meaningful that symbolizes the value they chose. I provided video instructions on the Flip site and started the conversation by sharing my "meditation monkey". I am very curious to see how students respond to this new way of connecting in our course! I hope it fosters a closer sense of connection amongst themselves, as it did for me and my colleagues in the Academy.
Bumper Video
Not long ago a student expressed that it would be helpful to have a something that links one module to the next, and the bumper does exactly that! I think students will appreciate the continuity of summarizing what we just covered and a quick preview of what's next. I also think that the "Adobe Express" format is appealing and enhances the likelihood that they will watch it. I loved gaining the skill to make such a professional looking video through Adobe Express and plan to make them as module transitions, as well as to spotlight well written expressions that students write during the course.
Microlecture
I really like the idea of doing a short, tight, high impact lecture.. This was the perfect vehicle to introduce the complex subject of human cognition . In higher ed, we hone skills at analysis and critical thinking about the world around us, but not so much how to work with our own personal thoughts. Many students live with a stream of self-critical thoughts they don't know what to do with, or the exhaustion of feeling like they can't make their thoughts "stop." I wanted to create micro-lecture to as a special introduction to the unit on Mind & Cognition. The objective is to understand implicit bias and learn a tool for shifting out of the default mode network mode of thinking that is behind it. Normally I screen-cast lectures but wanted to explore Adobe Express a bit more for this one.