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.
So, I was one of the instructors who was thrown into online teaching because of COVID-19. It was an intimidating experience. I was told one day we are no longer teaching, face to face due to COVID restrictions and we were now teaching fully online. To show you how novice I was I remember a student asking me my first online class if my class was scheduled asynchronous or synchronous. I remember responding I do know but let me check! I had not taught online before and to be honest I was just getting a handle on teaching face to face. I am very thankful to Academic Technology at Bakersfield College for holding the many workshops covering, online instruction, canvas, zoom and many other platforms and tools for online instruction. I think I might have attended every workshop held covering aspects of online teaching at Bakersfield College.
Today, I am confident in my ability to teach online. I still have a lot to learn but I at least know enough to say, I prefer asynchronous teaching over synchronous, simply because the majority of students in my online courses, worked 40 plus hours a week. They loved having content posted to canvas where they could access at their own convenience. Now to address all the wonderful gems of technology the humanizing academy has bestowed upon me. I had completed a liquid syllabus in 2020 but it was nothing like the masterpiece, I have completed, since learning from the academy! Thank you for the online teaching, tools that will make my online courses not only entertaining for my students but for me as well! To name a few of the tools I have heard of but never used: Adobe creative cloud, Screencast Omatic, Micro lectures, Ice breaker and Wisdom wall in flip, welcoming inclusive course card. I have been working on my homepage and welcome video but the course card is totally new. However, my favorite tool yet is the Bumper Video! I will be using that one for sure! Thank you Humanizing Academy!
For future reference I look forward to more online teaching. Knowing how to make my courses suitable for all humans is the key. I have also learned from the academy that the use of technology can be an effective instrument to make your online courses academically engaging, and entertaining. I think students will also agree.
I will use the course liquid syllabus as a means of communication to my students what is expected of them and what I will do to support them in the course. I will use the welcome video to show my students I am human like they are and I want them to succeed in the course. The liquid syllabus removes the monotony associate with an ordinary course syllabus. I will put information about the course and assignments on my liquid syllabus but I will now use humanizing language which is a lot less impending. I will upload a bumper video on my course liquid syllabus to explain and provide insight for challenging topics. I will let the liquid syllabus humanize my courses.
The Course card is one of those eye candies for your course. I teach biology so a cute little organism displayed on my course card is attracting to students. I can also use it to relay important message about my course or I could simply use it as a link to a website with pertinent information regarding the course.
The homepage is the center piece of your online course. Its the major point of contact for your students and the course work load. It should be inviting and colorful full of eye candy. I like to limit the amount of wordy text I use on the course homepage. When student access your home page and see one of the many organisms in vivid color. It stimulates imagination and curiosity.
The Getting to know you survey tells students you are concerned about them and what they are going through. I ask my student to tell me about their home life and is there anything that could possibly interfere with their academic career and success. I ask my students in the survey what is their role in the home. I make it absolutely clear the first day of class I want my students to succeed in my course and pass the class with a C+ or better. Many times students don't succeed because of issues at home.
I have found when student work together on a project they tend to form a bond to help each other get through the project. I then see everyone contributing to the success of the group. The Ice Breaker assignment fosters togetherness, teamwork/team member and communication. It motivates students to find a common interest among each other and it draws them closer. We know many students perform better academically when united and excepted by their peers.
The bumper Video was used for educational purposes. It was meant to inform students about a specific subject (amino acids). It is possibly attractive to students because it was not the typical way in which information is presented to student. It was exciting and colorful with music playing to every slide. Not boring like reading a book many students in online course would say.
The Micro lecture was intended to prepare student for a Lab quiz to be taken in two weeks. The learning objective was clear and detailed. The way in which the material was presented was also clear but not difficult. Some subjects in biology are challenging for students like photosynthesis. The micro lecture is a lot easier for student to comprehend. Students know precisely what is expected of them and why they are receiving this instruction.
Explain the process of photosynthesis.
List the three components necessary for photosynthesis to take place.
List the products of photosynthesis.
Compare plants that have all the components needed for photosynthesis to one that has a component missing.
Why do we see the green in plants?
