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Humanizing

Online

Learning

The Human Factor

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Agenda

Practices

How do we “humanize” online learning?

Results

What happens when online learning is “human”?

Defining

What does it mean to “humanize” online learning?

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ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

What does humanizing online learning mean to you?

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Defining Humanizing Online Learning

Builds community

Intentionally blends cognitive and affective learning

Increase sense of belonging

Fosters relationships

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Defining Humanizing Online Learning

Ultimately, the idea of humanity in online learning is about presence. Not technology.

Instructor Presence - how visible and accessible the instructor is to students.

Social Presence - how available social interactions are for students and instructors.

Cognitive Presence - how accessible the content of the course is to students.

When a course is humanized, the priority of the learning shifts into ensuring the student and instructor are present in the course--mentally, emotionally, and digitally.

Developing the Human Factor

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ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

How "human" do you think you're online courses are today?

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Humanizing Practices

Be flexible, approachable, and transparent

Use “early alert” practices to engage students

Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy towards students

Use video/audio to communicate

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Humanizing Practices: In Canvas

Video/Audio Announcements
Video/Audio Feedback (Submission Comments)
Use Rubrics for everything
Message Students Who (Gradebook & New Analytics)
Utilize Google Forms for weekly feedback FROM students
Open Forum Discussions
Online Office Hours - Drop in Zoom Meeting

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Humanizing Practices: Course Practices

Consider a Liquid Syllabus (See previous webinars)
Consider expanding your “late work” policy to be more inclusive and empathetic
Build in time for assignments--have the “available until” date be past the due date
Allow students to share life with you--and share your life with them
Consider a “Faculty Info” page that demonstrates more of who you are
Use humor as motivation

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Humanizing Practices: Course Practices

Keep the course consistent - helps students form a routine
Use Modules/Pages to organize the course - helps students form a routine
Provide a “weekly overview” - use video if you can!
Check the course before it begins so that everything is accessible
Model kind, supportive interactions
Give students choice - can the objective be met �through a presentation rather than a paper?

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ⓘ Start presenting to display the poll results on this slide.

What's ONE humanizing practice you could include in your next course?

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Humanizing Practices

Humanizing the course is not about the instructor. It’s about the student.

Why should I humanize my online class?

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Results of Humanizing Online Learning

Removes stigma from the learning environment

Allows students the freedom to be students - not professionals

Increases engagement, motivation, and inclusion

Increases equity in online courses

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Results of Humanizing Online Learning

Students have consistently stated they want one thing from online learning environments: communication

When we humanize the online learning environment, we make it a place where students and instructors can communicate with each other--it removes silos

While it may take a little work to switch a course to being “fully humanized,” this is not a standard. It’s a way of teaching and designing.

Final Thoughts

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Humanizing Online Learning

What about you?

Do you have a story of a humanizing experience in online learning?

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Resources

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Thanks!

Email

Bookings

Set up a time to work through your thoughts.

Let us know how we can help you!

Recordings

Check out our other webinars from this series on the IIT Website!

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Questions

Anything that we can help clarify today?

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Humanizing

Online

Learning

The Human Factor