Brian Swartz

Be positive, acknowledge concerns, show confidence and students will feel you have a personal interest in their success which will in turn boost their chances of success.

The Role of Technology is the future of learning. Key technology systems such as traditional student specific records, school and department web sites, now include several LMS, various portals (email, library, newsand professional organizations) and possibly newer student relationship (SRM) software. The eclipse of face to face learning with ongoing inovation of technology in learning is pervasive. Technology-mediated communication is now the standard in learning and requires adaptation to make efficent use of the available options.

Technology-enhanced instruction is here to stay and growing at an accelerating pace. Motivated and well prepared students will succeed in online or face to face learning environments. Traditionally online students have been older working learners looking for opportunity to advance on their own schedule, however the pandemic has forced the online learning mode to include a larger group of younger "digital nstives." Success with the online mode will require digital fluency and virtual collaboration skills along with traditional skills such as personal-management (time, finances etc.), self-advocacy, information gathering, research and writing.

Linking relationships to retention, Tinto’s (1993) Student Integration Model asserts student dropout is driven by two primary issues, failure to find a social connection and failure to embrace values and norms of the institution. Raisman found students reported leaving because of issues with communication related to their "perception that the college doesn’t seem to care" and "dissatisfaction with service and treatment." A welcomeing campus climate communicating respect has been shown to be a driver of student retention. Schreiner reports student satisfaction with campus climate significantly improved a student’s odds of persisting, especially for first-year students. Developing a working alliance, a… >>>

The basic ideals of critical thinking skills is an active, continual thought process that accumulates relevant information to make a decision based on all facets of knowledge. "In the 21st century, businesses are looking for critical thinkers who can evaluate information, study complex situations, problem solve and understand they don’t always have to be right. Mistakes are inevitable, with learning occurring from the mistakes. Problem-solving critical thinkers are needed." We know the importance of group activities for digital natives, active learning methods are beneficial for skills mastery, short-term knowledge and critical thinking. Cooperative learning has students drawing upon their past… >>>

Modification of traditional classroom activities toward student-centered teaching requires a multifaceted approach. Individuals will be motivated to incorporate active learning when they find making the changes rewarding. Student-centered teaching approach will be focused on transitioning instructor/student behaviour,  instructors will engage in guiding, coaching, steering and providing overall perspective, students will engage in reading, reflective writing, displaying, and doing. Instructors can engage students in the active learning by makng the process fun and interesting, providing constructive feedback and guidance. Tools that support collaboration and project learning include wikis, blogs, discussion boards, and audio/video tools. The use of rubrics in directing students… >>>

Some limitations and misconceptions relating to the transition to active learning are, instructor concerns with changing delivery and loss of control of their process, student transition to ownership of their own learning process, providing motivation for student driven self-actualization, institutional academic support, enabled supportive technology.

In this module we reviewed some facets of active Learning, background of the movement, developments in higher education, cooperation instead of competition using collaborative and cooperative learning, creative use in the online environment, and the core elements of active learning. Students must not just memorize, but be able to read, write, discuss, reflect or be engaged in problem solving, engaged in the process of analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating the information, with the aim of achieving improved retention and application of the course material.

Course Assessment Plan (formative and summative) requires effective use of a course rubric, self- and peer-assessment, and gathering and use of meaningful feedback.

Assessment Plan elements require (formative and summative), effective use of a course rubric, self- and peer-assessment, and gathering and use of meaningful feedback.