This site provides examples of instructional resources created in the Humanizing Online STEM Academy, a professional development program funded by the California Education Learning Lab and administered by the Foothill DeAnza Community College District.
In light of the pandemic, I had to make a transition from being a face-to-face instructor to teaching online. Initially, I was hesitant about this new way of teaching, but gradually I started to enjoy it. However, I felt there was still room for improvement in my teaching approach. Fortunately, I came across the Humanizing STEM Academy, which provided me with the opportunity to enhance my teaching skills. The experience was enriching, and I gained valuable insights that have helped me become an even better teacher. I am grateful for this opportunity and appreciate the positive impact it has had on my teaching.
Having recently completed a course, I'm pleased to inform you that I now possess a wide range of tools that can be used to make my classes more engaging and personal. I have also gained valuable insights into some excellent free tools that can be used to create welcome videos, focused lectures, and interactive assignments. This helps students to express themselves and showcase their personalities through their contributions to the course. Additionally, the use of short and concise lectures, along with bumper videos, is helpful in leveling the playing field for students who may initially lack the necessary knowledge or require additional reinforcement beyond the lecture or learning content.
As an instructor, my focus has always been on prioritizing student-centered teaching and enhancing their learning experience, whether it is online or in-person. I am committed to integrating the knowledge I have gained into my courses, and I believe that this will help me in breaking down the barriers that inhibit student success. I am also grateful for the changes made to the math curriculum in recent years, which have been instrumental in promoting equity in community college education. By leveraging the tools I have acquired, I am confident that I can continue to support students in overcoming their math anxiety, which is one of the biggest obstacles they face in college.
To ensure that students have a clear understanding of the course requirements and expectations, I plan to introduce myself and the course using the liquid syllabus. The liquid syllabus includes a welcome video, a list of expectations for both the student and myself, my teaching philosophy, a to-do list for the first week, and additional resources for getting help. The liquid syllabus is designed to help students become familiar with the course before it begins. By using the syllabus to introduce myself and the course, students can get a head start on what to expect and feel more prepared. It is important to me that students feel comfortable and confident as they begin the course.
When students log in to Canvas, they will see the Course Card. This card features a picture of students working together, symbolizing the importance of collaboration, discussion, and idea-sharing throughout the course.
After clicking on the course card, students will be directed to my Humanized Homepage. The purpose of this page is to provide a warm and welcoming introduction to the course without overwhelming them with information. My aim is to express my enthusiasm for having them in the course and spark their excitement towards learning.
As part of my efforts to promote a welcoming and inclusive learning environment, I've developed a "Getting to Know You" survey to be administered during the first week of the course. The survey consists of several inquiries aimed at helping me to get to know each student better, including their preferences. Along with their name and preferred mode of communication, the survey includes questions that seek to understand the student's background and potential challenges that may affect their success in the course, such as their previous experience with math and any obstacles they may anticipate.
I have created an icebreaker activity that is designed to celebrate the diversity of our students and their unique backgrounds. By sharing personal experiences, students will feel more comfortable with this course and their fellow classmates. As a warm-up task, I will encourage everyone to submit a video that reflects on their lives and to choose a physical item that holds significant meaning to them. To initiate the activity, I will share a video of my own. After that, students will have the opportunity to revisit the discussion and engage with their peers by selecting two comments that resonate with them and respond to them. This exercise will also serve as a perfect introduction to the external tool Flip.
A Bumper video is a short and visually captivating video that serves as a valuable instructional tool for concepts. I made the video focusing on the importance of statistics in everyday life because most of my students wonder why they have to take the class. The video highlights the importance of stats using real-life examples. My goal is to motivate students to take this class.
A micro lecture refers to a concise presentation that focuses on a specific and well-defined topic, usually in the form of a short audio or video recording. As a statistics instructor, I recognized the significance of exploring sampling strategies and thus decided to create a 5-minute video on the subject.
