Search
There are 21 results.
Tag
Tag
All (74)
Active Learning (2)
Activities (2)
Alt Text (2)
Animations (1)
Assessments (2)
Asynchrony (2)
Authentic Activities (2)
Belonging (2)
Canvas (4)
Case Studies (2)
Collaboration (2)
Color Contrast (2)
Communication (2)
Community (2)
Content Creation (8)
Copyright (2)
Course Maintenance (4)
Course Materials (7)
Discussions (2)
Diversity (3)
Equity (2)
Faculty Presence (1)
Feedback (4)
Formative Assessments (4)
Game-Based Learning (2)
Gamification (1)
Grading (3)
Group Work (2)
Hyperlinks (1)
Images (2)
Inclusion (4)
Infographics (2)
Learning Objectives (1)
Multimodality (3)
Page Design (1)
Peer Review (1)
Podcasts (1)
PowerPoint (2)
Presentations (2)
Representation (1)
Revising (2)
Rubrics (4)
Scaffolding (1)
Screen Readers (1)
Social Media (1)
Summative Assessments (1)
Synchrony (2)
Third-Party Tools (1)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (1)
Video (11)
Visual Accessibility (2)
Visual Design (2)
Workload (1)
Written Assignments (1)
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).
Hyperlink Dos and Don'ts
When designing a course, you will want to ensure that all students can access the websites and documents that you link. Accessible hyperlinks are particularly important for students with screen readers, who will hear links read out loud. This piece contains best practices for writing and formatting accessible hyperlinks so that all learners can access the content that you have curated for your course.
Branching Scenario Best Practices Guide
Designed to simulate real-world experiences, branching scenarios are powerful tools for increasing student engagement. Like a choose-your-own-adventure book, a branching scenario invites users to explore a virtual world, using knowledge and skills from their coursework and information shared within the scenario to make decisions. The decisions they make lead them down different pathways (some of which may include embedded documents and videos) towards different endings. Depending on the complexity of the branching scenarios and the choices students make, they can experience a variety of different possible outcomes within a single scenario.
Accessible PDFs
Developing and delivering accessible instructional content—meaning content that students with and without disabilities can readily engage with and use—is essential to the success of an online course. While many accessibility standards and guidelines are broadly applicable, there are also specific considerations unique to different content formats and delivery modes. In this piece, we present recommendations for enhancing the accessibility of PDFs for students.
Leveraging Podcasts in Online Higher Education
Podcasts are digital audio that you can download or stream onto a computer or mobile device. They are convenient, portable, reusable, and do not require particularly high-tech devices or connections. They are also popular. According to a 2022 Infinite Dial survey, "Seventy-three percent of the U.S. 12+ population (an estimated 209 million people) have listened to online audio in the last month, up from 68% in 2021" (Edison Research, 2022). While podcast use declined slightly in 2022, returning to pre-pandemic levels, the medium is still burgeoning, with plenty of room for further growth.
Five Instructor Feedback Essentials
Providing student feedback is a key component of an instructor’s role and an important part of effective instruction. Research shows that ongoing feedback keeps students engaged and improves their morale, motivation, and learning (Best, et al, 2014). Yet, providing high quality feedback can be a time-consuming commitment, especially in courses with large class sizes or numerous written assessments. Instructors should keep in mind the tools, structure, and best practices that can help them provide feedback.
Leveraging CSV Downloads
The majority of an online instructor’s course facilitation will occur within the learning management system (LMS). However, there are some tasks that can be improved or streamlined by downloading comma-separated value (CSV) files from Canvas. Running an online course requires balancing a lot of names, assignments, and deadlines, so using Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or another spreadsheet software can assist with course management.
Why and How to Give Extra Credit
Granting extra credit opportunities can be controversial. Despite studies showing that students typically have positive feelings toward instructors who allow for extra credit opportunities (Myers & Hatchel, 2019), instructors have an understandable list of concerns about the practice (Cohan, 2018; Dunn & Halonen, 2019). This piece presents some common pros and cons around extra credit and items to consider when implementing extra credit.