Teaching Online: After the First Exam

In my experience, the first exam in an online course brings about a flurry of emails. They are typically sent by students who didn't do as well as they wanted or expected to. In such an isolated environment, it seems especially easy for students to place the blame on the instructor and the material being too hard or unfair.

In my traditional classes, I use the Test Assessment Questionnaire to help guide the students through a reflective self-assessment of their exam.

I decided to try it this semester with my online class. I've got 40 students enrolled, 37 of whom took exam 1. I emailed them the TAQ and offered 1 percentage point bonus to be added to exam 1 for completing the worksheet. I gave them one week to complete it and email it back to me.

Eight students opted to complete the assignment.

While it was somewhat time consuming to provide feedback to each student individually, I feel like it gave me a chance to connect with those students and get to know them a little in the context of how they were faring with the course material.

I'd definitely use the TAQ again with online classes. However, there are a few tweaks I'd make:
- integrate the TAQ into the online learning management system so the responses are collected automatically and not via individual emails
- prepare a document that addresses several of the general issues that students have ... ex: If you find yourself debating between 2 answers and guessing the wrong one then a good strategy for you to try is ...
- the TAQ would be a required assignment (this still wouldn't ensure 100% compliance, but it should induce more than 20% of the students to complete it)

Looking for Rubrics?

I'm now Chair of our department's Assessment Committee. So, I've got to get down and dirty with curriculum and outcomes outside of my classes.

I'm currently checking out the set of 15 rubrics that AAC&U has piloted and tested and released for free at http://aacu.org/value/.

I'll report back as I have thoughts.

Half-Baked: Systems

****This post is another in my continuing series of half-baked thoughts.****


Systems work as they are set up to work, not as you want them to work.
(12/15/2011)

Statway to Heaven

In a presentation I recently attended, the speaker mentioned a Department of Labor study that said:

20% of leadership jobs require algebra/calculus
80% of leadership jobs require statistics

So there is a way into leadership jobs that doesn't require business students to take the dreaded calculus - a "statway to heaven" if you will.

I found this very interesting so I wanted to read the study.
I've been unable to find the study so far ... but I'll keep looking.

Half-Baked: When to Stop

****This post is another in my continuing series of half-baked thoughts.****

The difference between being *in the zone* and *pushing too hard* might be a fine line.

(from 7/20/11)

Successful Student Transfer

I recently attended the AAC&U annual conference (higher ed). Here are some thoughts and some of my notes...

What the Research Shows about Successful Student Transfer

My notes from the session:

The traditional 2+2 agreement is necessary but not sufficient.
- require students to complete AA before transfer
- require students to attend full-time
- provide academic and financial incentives and support to enroll full-time and complete AA
- guarantee admission to the University (can also freeze tuition)
- provide/require advising/mentoring from the University at the AA institution ... get them thinking in terms of 4 years

What I'm wondering:
-How smooth is the transition for MSCD students, given that we are the #1 transfer institution in Colorado?

-Why are we pushing for 4 year degrees in the first place? Aren't some better served by a 2 year degree?

Half-Baked: Packaging

****This post is another in my continuing series of half-baked thoughts.****

The packaging matters.

The way the idea is delivered matters.

The outside packaging can help filter people in.

If "X" is required, the packaging can help flavor the experience.

(from 7/3/11)