Learning to Teach Online by Taking Massive Open Online Courses
One of the assignments for the Teaching Solutions Class was to participate in a “M.O.O.C”, which stands for massive open online course. These college level courses are offered free or for a small fee. The student receives a completion certificate when all of the...
A picture is worth a thousand words
A picture is worth a thousand words. I received a submission for a writing assignment today via email. It was a picture, included as an attachment, showing a handwritten homework assignment, taken with the smartphone, at arm’s-length. I have received three...
Understood Betsy
Have you ever read the book Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield? It is a children’s book, but is has a lot to say about education and learning. It is about a very timid, unobserving child, Betsy (Elizabeth Ann), who changes into a brave, problem-solving girl due to a...
Trying to be a Creator–Even in November
For a number of years now, I have taught my ENG 107 students about the idea of personal responsibility. We use On Course, a college success book written by Skip Downing, as the primary text in that class. The whole book is based on the choice between being a Victim...
Has School Become An Extracurricular Activity?
It seems to me that school has become the extracurricular activity as of late. I know that doesn’t make sense, but let me explain myself. In the past, school came first and then other activities were scheduled if they could be fit in around the demands of school....
What Do Employers Want? (Part 2)
Last week I addressed want students want out of their coursework. This week I will touch on what employers want. This is important to know if we are going to change the way we teach. Perhaps by incorporating more active learning and group work, and really embrace the...
My students can’t write! Part 3: Outlines and Models
My husband, Jon, likes Legos. A lot. I admit: building my very own Batmobile was pretty sweet. (You are welcome to come see it in my office any time.) But we diverge in our process for building. While I like to follow the directions, look at the diagrams, and compare...
Learning via Discussion
“I cannot teach anyone anything. I can only make them think” –Socrates My students impress me in so many ways, and one is in their verbal abilities. While working with students in a testing situation, I offer the opportunity to verbally explain answers to test...
Learning for Life
In my high school, there was a statement over the entrance way that read, “Learn not for school, but for life.” I think the best gift of being an educator is that we have the ability to learn from every student, every peer, every day. I know that is a journey that...
OER Pilot
OER = Open Educational Resources made freely and legally available on the Internet for anyone to reuse, revise, remix and redistribute. The Friday Forum held on November 7th, 2014 involved a discussion and review of OERs and the official introduction of the OER pilot...