Choose the right tool for a safe, fun, informative and adventurous course. To get the most of your learning environment, consider using the any of these tools to humanize your presence and create a connection with your students
Adobe Spark Video is free, easy-to-use, and works on a computer or an Android or iOS device (like an iPad or iPhone) if you download the free mobile app. You will need to create an Adobe account if you don't already have one. If your college has a site license for Adobe Creative Cloud, you can use your institutional credentials to sign in. Many faculty getting started with video prefer to start with Spark because it does not require you to show your face. You can tell a personal story about yourself with Spark that can serve as a wonderful first connection with your students.
View this 12-minute video to get started with Adobe Spark.
Using our phone is a great start with shooting a video. However, light will be an important factor when recording ourselves
Eye level camera level and a frame is a great way to be aware of our frame.
Here's a lecture on Intersectionality.
BigVu
Between registration and week 1, there is a high opportunity zone between instructor and students. It can remove any barriers to ensure that all student have what they need before the course. Barriers may include stress/fears, ambiguity of expectations and misconceptions of the course. Pre-course contact shapes a student's first impression of you before the class session. It is a time to convey a student-centered tone while information about expectations & support before the class session.
Google Sites or other easy web design option.
Try a Liquid Syllabus
Example of a Liquid Syllabus using Google Sites
I wanted my partner to interview me. He asked me questions about how I teach. After editing it, I chose to focus on how I design my online courses. I wanted to establish trust. (iPhone & iMovie)
I attached this pre-semester message to my welcome letter required on my campus. I felt like it needed some care. (Adobe Spark)
This video is embedded in my Liquid Syllabus. *Since I am self conscious of the bags under my eyes, I use lots of light. (iPhone & iMovie)
This video explains why I teach Ethnic Studies. Here is a limited video of myself & 2 beautiful distractions. (Adobe Spark)
Here is a video I shot a couple weeks ago addressing the war between Azerbaijan forces and the Armenian people of the region. Our student population was directed affected by war casualties. Glendale is an Armenian Community
I am explaining the value of discussions in an online environment. I used iOS Clips - only for iOS devices.
A great way to demonstrate that you are reading the discussion posts is to present a taking stoke video. Here is a taking stoke video I recently completed on my @ONE Humanizing Online Education
Caring is a process and we have to do what it takes to keep them engaged. When teachers are committed, competent, confident and knowledgeable about the content in cultural pluralism, they are placed "... in an ethical, emotional and academic partnership with ethnically diverse students. This partnership, this care is anchored in respect, honor, integrity, resource-sharing, and a deep belief in the possibility of transcendence, that is, an unequivocal belief that marginalized students not only can but will improve their school achievement under the tutelage of competent and committed teachers who act to ensure that this happens.
Provide Digital Cookies - strategies that will feed their success in your class or others.