Search
There are 19 results.
Category
Tag
Tag
All (68)
Active Learning (2)
Activities (3)
Alt Text (2)
Animations (1)
Assessments (1)
Asynchrony (3)
Authentic Activities (2)
Backwards Design (1)
Canvas (4)
Case Studies (1)
Collaboration (2)
Color Contrast (2)
Communication (2)
Community (2)
Content Creation (9)
Copyright (2)
Course Maintenance (5)
Course Materials (7)
Course Preparation (2)
Discussions (1)
Diversity (2)
Equity (2)
Feedback (3)
Formative Assessments (4)
Game-Based Learning (2)
Gamification (1)
Group Work (2)
Hyperlinks (1)
Images (2)
Inclusion (1)
Infographics (2)
Learning Objectives (2)
Multimodality (3)
Page Design (1)
Podcasts (1)
PowerPoint (2)
Presentations (2)
Representation (1)
Revising (2)
Rubrics (3)
Scaffolding (1)
Screen Readers (1)
Summative Assessments (1)
Synchrony (3)
Third-Party Tools (1)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (1)
Video (10)
Visual Accessibility (2)
Visual Design (2)
Written Assignments (1)
Written Assignment Best Practices Guide
Formal writing requires sustained focus on content and close attention to detail. For these reasons, written assignments can be an effective assessment tool in graduate courses when they are thoughtfully and purposefully designed. This guide provides recommendations for faculty who are looking to harness the pedagogical benefits of written assignments.
Incorporating Multimedia in Your Course
Multimedia, which helps create an engaging and interactive online learning environment, has been shown to contribute to improved student performance (Cheng, Basu, & Goebel, 2009, p. 1). Though many online courses incorporate videos, they neglect to feature other forms of multimedia. And, while videos are a staple of multimedia use, there are other exciting options to consider: podcast episodes, graphics, and animations can all enhance course content, enriching the student experience. To maximize the benefits multimedia can provide, consider including these underutilized forms of multimedia in your course.
No Sweat Alt Text
What is “alt text”? Alt text is descriptive text linked to an image, graph, or other visual content that allows users to understand the visual without viewing it. Any image online should contain alt text, but guidelines differ depending on whether the image is simply decorative or related to other content on the page.
Engagement Series: Introduction
There are many components to consider when developing an online course; a key framework to inform course development is student engagement. The Glossary of Education Reform defines student engagement as “the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught, which extends to the level of motivation they have to learn and progress in their education” (Great Schools Partnership, 2016, para. 1). Developing and evaluating course content through the lens of engagement can help instructors create an environment that is conducive to learning and mastery of course outcomes.
Using Hotspots
A unique way to share information, images with hotspots offer online learners the opportunity to interact with course content. Learners can click or hover on particular parts of an image and receive pop-ups giving them more information. Hotspots represent information in a particular context; thus, they fulfill the multimedia principle—use words and graphics rather than words alone—and the contiguity principle—align words to corresponding graphics (Clark & Mayer, 2016).
Game-Based Learning Experiences
Game-based learning (GBL) is a learning experience, or set of learning experiences, delivered through gameplay or game-like activities with defined learning outcomes. GBL is often confused with gamification, which is the application of game elements to a non-gaming experience. GBL engages students cognitively, emotionally, behaviorally, and socioculturally (Plass et al., 2015). Many factors should be considered when designing GBL, including narrative, player positioning, and interactive design (Dickey, 2005).