Thriving Online in Higher Education

Dr. Robin Kay

Free E-Book

Thriving Online: �A Guide for Busy Educators

bit.ly/ThriveOnline-2022

Let’s Go for a Test Drive

Task 1 - Click on the chat button at the bottom of the Zoom window

• What city/town, country and time you are you signing in from today?

Task 2 - Turn camera on if you wish (click on video - bottom left corner)

• Gentle, fun requests at the beginning (you are my favourite student)
• Camera on - I will be more engaging
• Camera on - I will get to know you better (for future references)

Task 3 - Background (Delayed Response)

• What is the best thing about teaching online?

Introduction - Version 1

Robin Kay

• Dean & Professor
• Ontario Tech since 2003
• Teaching
• High School - 6 years
• Community College - 5 years
• University - 20 years
• Online teaching 14+ years
• Research
• Education and Technology
• Online & ELearning
• Video Creation
• AI in Education

linkedin.com/in/kayontech

www.drrobinkay.org

Introduction - Version 2

Caveats for Today’s Workshop

• My Goal: To offer the best suggestions that I know based on
• Cognitive/Learning Science and Online Learning Research
• 14 years experience teaching online in higher education�
• BUT
• Each context is different (class size, subject matter, labs, assessment)
• Your questions/ideas/challenges will be helpful so PLEASE ASK�
• AND
• I have a strong bias toward a synchronous/virtual online format
• 95% (sync) vs. 55% (asynch) success rate�

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Before we begin …

What key question (you can ask more than one), do you have about teaching and learning online?

ChatGPT (Generative AI) - Your Critical Coach

• Game change in teaching and learning
• For almost every category I am reviewing, you can ask ChatGPT (4.0)
• Creating a strong e-culture - My ChatGPT conversation
• Give me suggestions for engaging online learning activities - My ChaptGPT conversation
• Pretend you are having a conversation with a knowledgeable colleague (critical coach)

Todays Menu

1. Learning Framework
2. Big Picture Ideas
3. Video Creation Tips
4. Assessment
5. Pre-Course Ideas

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• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

• Social presence or building connections with and among students is critical

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• Asynchronous - 55% graduation rate vs. �Synchronous - 95% graduation rate in �OnTech MEd

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

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• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

Big Picture Ideas

Organization

5-10 min rule

E-Culture

Monitoring Chat

Organization

• Preparation and organization are critical online - it is harder to repair interruptions or flow problems�
• Sample Course Website
• Sample Lesson

5-10 min Content Rule

Content �(Lots of visuals)

Activity

Student Response

Chat

Poll

Answer Garden

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Breakout Rooms/PLNs

Google Doc

Google Slide

Mind Map

Practice Problems

Case study

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Setting Your E-Culture - Example

• Prior to Meeting How To Zoom Video (1:59)
• Turn Mics Off
• Turn Cameras On (especially in breakout groups)
• One person monitoring chat
• Online Netiquette Rules

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Volunteer Chat Monitors

• Volunteer to monitor chat, questions, raised hand
• Students enjoy taking on this role
• Students ask questions throughout using chat and the monitor draws your attention to the questions
• Create a Questions Doc - When time is tight

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

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• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

Video Creation - Part 1 (Quality)

1. Quick Chat Question - Your favorite video creation tool (delayed response) or I don’t create videos (yet)
2. My Tips - Pay Intention (We are Going to Vote)
1. 2-6 minutes in length (max)
2. Pretend that you are having a conversation with one student
3. Avoid perfection - hard to learn from
4. No background music
5. Meaningful title
6. Visuals not a lot of text
7. Clear layout
8. Highlight what you are doing
9. YouTube with automatic closed captioning

Polling Question - Videos

Pick your top 3 characteristics?

Vote using Straw Poll: Click here

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

​

• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

Assessment

Checklist/Rubric

Crystal Clear

Video Overview

Choice

Creative

Authentic �Non Disposable

How do you create effective assessments for online learning classes?

Help me create an authentic, engaging assessment to help students learning about key learning theories. Student will work in teams. The key learning goals are …

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

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• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

Pre-Course Ideas

1. Pre-course survey: Ask about key information
2. Big picture video for a course
3. Rules/Culture: Online Netiquette Rules
4. How to succeed in online learning video (3:45)
5. Student intro videos in FlipGrid
6. Learning portal/hub �(e.g., Web Page, Canvas, Google Classroom)

Prepare to Rank Order Your Preference

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

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• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

Resource 1: Useful Technology Guide

Teacher’s Guide for Tech

Sample Version of Guide

Purchase 2023 version here ($25 US)

Resource 2: Online Tools for Teaching & Learning

Walkthrough: Here

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

​

• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

Your Chat GPT Question about Tech Tools?

Please post a question that you would like to ask ChatGPT (your coach) about Tech Tools used in online learning?

The First Class/Week

1. Build Community
2. Engaging Teacher Intro
3. Graphic - Big Picture
4. Agenda for each class
5. Online Culture / Rules
6. Icebreakers (Breakout)
7. Lesson Plan Link

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

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• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

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Your Questions During & After

Online Activities

Breakout Rooms (General Ideas)

• 4 student maximum
• Always produce something
• Keep on top of timing
• Ideas
• Discuss a question/reading and create a summary of ideas
• Produce a visual summary
• Create a definition of list of characteristics
• Create a one slide presentation
• Prepare a debate plan a topic
• Review/Evaluate artifact (e.g., learning tool, blog post, website)
• Evaluate a video and generate questions
• Solve a problem in (or problem set) teams
• Work on a case study

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Online Activities

Two Vote Polling

• Pick a challenging question with at least 2 clear possible answers for students
• Poll 1 - Students vote and there should be a spread of answers
• Move into breakout groups to discuss answers and try to convince other sof you answer
• Poll 2 - Vote again after breakout groups
• Teacher/students discuss solution

Online Activities

Large Class Discussion

• Very challenging
• Prime to topic with intro/video/poll
• Use the chat
• Student monitors chat
• Ask specific students about chat responses - starts a conversation
• Really engage with the first 1-2 people (listen, be positive, encourage)
• Try to bring out details and potential conflicting opinions

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Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

​

• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

​

Your Questions During & After

Consolidating Your Lesson/Week

• Give yourself 5 -10 min at the end of each lesson �(even if you don’t finish)
• Create summary of key concepts addressed (one slide)
• Link to summary page (Google Doc) of what follow up work they need to do for home activities (I include short video explanations)
• Solicit anonymous feedback on course (Google Form) every 2-3 weeks
• Use chat to make sure students are clear on your expectations

Todays Menu

• Learning Framework
• Big Picture Ideas
• Video Creation Tips
• Assessment
• Pre-Course Ideas

​

• Useful Technology Tools
• Your First Class/Week
• Online Activities
• Consolidation
• Home Activities

​

Your Questions During & After

Home Activity Ideas

Video Commentary

Video Presentation

Readings & Video Discussion

Learning Module

Asking questions watching Video

Collaboration

• Webpage
• Slides
• Mind Map

Mastery Questions

Blog Posts

Explore

• Create
• Search
• Compare
• Generate ideas

A few final ideas ...

• PLNs: Form personal learning networks with other students
• Growth Mindset is best - you will have missteps
• Self Care: Slow but sure is a good pace - take care of yourself
• Feedback: Gather feedback as you go
• Stay Calm: When difficulties arise, be the calm voice in the room
• Discuss with Chat GPT: Ask questions, generate ideas, learn save time

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Resources

1. Book - Thriving Online - A Guide for Busy Teachers
2. Ditch That Textbook: E-Learning Resources
3. Comprehensive Ed Tech Tool Guide: Teacher’s Guide for Tech
4. Podcast: Cult of Pedagogy
5. ChatGPT Guide: Take a course with Udemy

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Contact Information

Email: robin.kay@ontariotechu.ca

Webpage: www.drrobinkay.org

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linkedin.com/in/kayontech

Questions