Search
There are 26 results.
Category
Tag
Tag
All (56)
Active Learning (1)
Activities (1)
Alt Text (2)
Analytics (2)
Assessments (1)
Asynchrony (1)
Authentic Activities (2)
Belonging (2)
Branching Scenarios (1)
Canvas (5)
Case Studies (2)
Collaboration (2)
Color Contrast (2)
Communication (2)
Community (2)
Content Creation (3)
Course Maintenance (4)
Course Materials (5)
Course Preparation (2)
Discussions (2)
Diversity (3)
Equity (2)
Feedback (4)
Formative Assessments (4)
Game-Based Learning (1)
Grading (3)
Group Work (2)
Hyperlinks (1)
Images (1)
Inclusion (4)
Inclusive Language (1)
Learning Objectives (1)
Multimodality (2)
Peer Review (1)
Peer Reviews (1)
PowerPoint (1)
Presentations (1)
Representation (1)
Revising (2)
Rubrics (4)
Scaffolding (1)
Screen Readers (1)
Spreadsheets (1)
Summative Assessments (1)
Synchrony (2)
Third-Party Tools (2)
UDL (1)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (1)
Video (1)
Visual Accessibility (2)
Workload (1)
Written Assignments (1)
Format
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.
Five Need-To-Know Rubric Grading Tips
Rubrics provide a framework for students, helping them submit stronger assignments while decreasing confusion as they write and create. While leveraging Canvas to provide clear, efficient, and consistent access to rubric, take a minute to learn a few settings, saving yourself valuable time and a possible headache.
Accessible Use of Text
Students with diverse cognitive, linguistic, and academic abilities benefit from accessible text. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) establish numerous requirements (known as success criteria) to ensure that text is perceivable, operable, and understandable to all users. This guide synthesizes the essential criteria related to text accessibility. Following these guidelines when creating course content, such as documents, slides, and pages in the LMS, will help you eliminate potential barriers for your learners.
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.
Navigating Late Policies Online
Late submissions can raise thorny questions for online instructors. While studies show that students who submit assessments before the due date receive higher than average grades, as many as 70% of college students identify as procrastinators (You, 2015, p. 64). Despite instructor attempts to create a manageable workload and motivate students to submit assignments on time, it is inevitable that procrastination, combined with the competing obligations of online students, will result in occasional late submissions. When preparing for an upcoming term, then, it is a good idea to share a late policy that clearly communicates your expectations for student submissions (Santelli et al., 2020, p. 38).
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.
Presentation Best Practices Guide
Many online courses focus on written communication skills, featuring discussion posts, papers, and case study reports among other assignments. However, oral communication and presentation skills are just as integral to students’ success, and, indeed, many employers list presenting as one of the most desirable skills for job candidates (Suhadi et al., 2021).
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.
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.