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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

David Goodman
David Goodman

Multiple means of presenting knowledge

We know that even healthy people acquyire and process information and knowledge differenty. We need to provide information visually as well as in narrative form. Headings and excellent organization of material will help those who need accommodation. 

Dale Mancini
Dale Mancini

Online...or not?

Is it possible to have an online enviornemt for every degree program?  Or are there some programs that it would be impossible to complete online?

Francis O
Francis O'Connell CHEP

Games used as study guides

I would like to develop more for my classes in this area.  I think with todays students a way of utilizing study guides in this manner may be key to actually getting a better response and keeping my students more engaged.

Linda Quandt
Linda Quandt

Leasrning by Teaching

I have taught F2F and online, so I know the areas and topics that sudents have diffiuculty learning in when teaching medical coding.  I try to get students into my weekly live labs so we can work on the mechanics on how to use the multiple coding books they must master.

Christopher Watson
Christopher Watson

Time Mgmt in Online Learning

I've found that when I try to impart the importance of time management, I let them know that they need to schedule time for their online class as an appointment with themselves. They have to view that commitment the same way they view a f2f class or any another type of appointment they may schedule.
Carolina Bodner
Carolina Bodner

Adding social media to an existing online environment

While I am an avid social media user and clearly understand the benefits of adding it to the curriculum as a tool for engagement and the development of certain skills, it is important to remember that in a world filled with usernames and passwords, online platforms, ebooks,online labs and classrooms, the addition of social media or one more platform for students to navigate through can become somewhat of a burden. Particularly if you consider the gap in the level of "technology comfort" between generations. Adding social media as a tool may be useful in the classroom, but it is important to consider the general audience of the classroom before deciding whether adding a social media component to the course is a productive tool or a source of stress for non-traditional students.
Randolph Fein
Randolph Fein

Disadvantages of Rubrics in General

Rubrics can also restrict the students mind power in that they will feel that they need to complete the assignment strictly to the rubric instead of taking the initiative to explore their learning. If the criteria that is in the rubric is too complex, students may feel overwhelmed with the assignment, and little success may be imminent. For the teacher creating the rubric, they may find the task of developing, testing, evaluating, and updating time consuming.
Kathleen Meskunas
Kathleen Meskunas CHEP

learning techniquets

For many of my students, they feel that on-line learning is a free pass to to school when they want to, not when they have to. I find that they procrastinate on their discussions and assignments for the class because they dont have a physical instructor in front of them. If they dont log on to the class then they dont have to see the posts that their instructor says to them about their assignments. "Out of sight out of mind" or " I will get to it later" is what I hear. Sometimes I think that they feel that that they are on-line learners and they are not. Some people need to be in the classroom and dont really get much out of on-line learning because they are more visual and auditory learners. I think we need to keep that in mind that online learning is not a "one size fits all".
Kathleen Meskunas
Kathleen Meskunas CHEP

not up to date

How do we get our non-traditional students, who have no technology skills, up to date? Well lets start with intorducing them to the computer. If they dont have children or never used a computer at their previous job, they are affraid of it. I know this because I was one of THEM. I was affraid to even touch a computer because I thought that if I hit a wrong button that I would erase everything. I had a fellow teacher that sat me down and explained everything that I needed to know. It changed my life as I know it. Now I use an I-pad in the classroom just about everyday. Love technology, but lets get them intorduced to the computer first.
Kathleen Meskunas
Kathleen Meskunas CHEP

skills

Alot of my students are non-traditional and many have no computer skills at all. Some were factory workers that lost their job to over seas, some were warehouse workers or even stay at home parents. Getting them comfortable with the new technology takes time with these students. Giving them an Intro to computers class is the first step.
Kathleen Meskunas
Kathleen Meskunas CHEP

over confident

Some of my students are not prepared for the on-line learning experience. Some think since they can "do it on their own time", it means whenever they feel like it. First time users really get an eye-opener when they can get through their first lesson. I believe that they need a better understanding of this class on a computer, is like a traditional classroom in which they have to "talk" to their classmates.
BRIGITTE POWELL
BRIGITTE POWELL

Essentials: LMS, Documents, Assessment

Hello Renee To reach all learners, I keep my fonts clear and consistent. I integrate a number of different learning methods to reach various learners. By reaching multiple learners - no learner will lack proper help and resources and delivery of content is for all students in the course. Brigitte Powell
BRIGITTE POWELL
BRIGITTE POWELL

Speech Recognition Software

Hello Renee The one speech recognition feature which I personally use and is used by thousands of people is Dragon Speech. Personally, I use this feature to slim down the time it takes to type up my doctoral papers. I think this is a great and inexpensive way for students who are challenged to type school work. With pros there are cons, such as typos due to the fact that the software does not always recognize words or confuse words such as face with phases. Brigitte Powell
BRIGITTE POWELL
BRIGITTE POWELL

Section 508

Hello Renee At my university, we work closely with both student advising and the disability office to ensure that students with disabilities are accommodated in the proper manner with proper documentation, student outreach, allow additional time for students on assignments, and extra help via phone, tutoring, or email. Brigitte Powell
BRIGITTE POWELL
BRIGITTE POWELL

Visually Impaired Students

Hello Renee I have facilitated courses with all walks of life and students who are visually impaired. I would like to note that this can prove to be a challenge as assignments evolved around analyzing primary source documents. I mentioned this to my dean and was able to integrate audio describing the documents and assign students, visually impaired, to content tutors who continue to work with students until success is reached. Brigitte Powell
Aaron Page
Aaron Page

Using youtube wisely

What is best way of starting a search related to subject being taught
Darlene Costakis
Darlene Costakis

Rubrics

Where were rubrics when I was in school? Rubrics not only provide guidance for the students to follow, but they also set guidelines. When a student questions a grade, the rubric helps provide the direction. I have recently implemented a rubric for my research paper, and what a difference in the papers this semester. I question why we didn't use rubrics in the past.
Darlene Costakis
Darlene Costakis

Communication between generations

Yes, having read about the three generations in this past module, I can totally relate to this. We are told the average age of our college students is 26 years of age, at least at the state college I teach full-time. But, online varies, and we are not aware of the age of our students, unless they outright tell us, or it slips into the conversation that is posted. Due to this, being aware of the different generations and their communication skills is vital! The Generation Y's seem to stand out in my online classes, and they have no problem talking to me, or letting me know how they feel. It takes some curbing and directing at times. It has been a learning platform for me, too, in learning how to communicate with my students. Online is very different from F2F communications.
Darlene Costakis
Darlene Costakis

Language

Having been teaching in the online environment for over fourteen years, I have learned that the management of communication in the class is vital. This module simply reinforced what I have been doing. I set up the guidelines from day one, and then enforce them. I tell my students it is like a dress code. Some outfits are appropriate in certain environments. Think of communicating in the same way. Would you wear a bathing suit to church?
Darlene Costakis
Darlene Costakis

Tech tools for online teaching

I have found that the various tech tools are so valuable for communicating. I also teach F2F, and still rely on the tools. So, not only do online classes use them, but so do the F2F and hybrid courses. I find communicating through email is valuable for more personal reasons. Quite often I have student that don't understand the concept that there are things you do not post on the discussion boards. My welcoming intro goes over what the various tech tools are used for during the class. This saves a lot of time later. At the moment, I have an online class that is using the discussion board for personal comments! So, my explanations don't always work!