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...

Learning is Loud!

The Mark & Helen Osterlin Library is the loudest library I have ever worked.  This past week it has been even louder than usual.  Maybe it’s the early snow or lack of sunlight, but there is definitely a loud vibe going on in the NMC library. We are a pretty...
A picture is worth a thousand words

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

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

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...