Susanne A. Sherba Department of Computer Science

How I survived teaching my first online course (and actually enjoyed it!)

My top ten tips . . . for preparing and teaching your first online course.

A bit of history …   For the past several years, the University has been

encouraging us to offer summer courses.   Analytical Inquiry (COMP 1101)

 Meets general education (common curriculum) requirement  Online version of this course first offered in Summer 2012

  Offered as a condensed (5-week) course   Delivered via Blackboard

  13 University of Denver students   6 sophomores, 3 juniors, 4 seniors

  Students logged on from various geographical locations:  Denver area (9), out-of-state (2), out of the country (2)

1. Gather your technical resources.   Where will you host your course?

 What tools will you use?  Don’t forget about FERPA.

  Who (if anyone) will provide technical support for you and your students?

  Recommended book: Ko, Susan, and Steven Rossen. Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, Third Edition. New York: Routledge, 2010.

Technical Requirements and Technical Support To be successful in the course, you will need reliable access to a computer and the Internet and the ability to send email. The University of Denver currently has the following requirements for laptops: http://www.du.edu/uts/laptops/specs.html. Information about support is available at: http://www.du.edu/uts/helpdesk/student.html.

You will also need to become familiar with Blackboard. The website http://portfolio.du.edu/blackboard contains how-to movies, handouts, and quick start guides.

2. Take an online course yourself.

  It helps to experience online learning from the student’s perspective.

3. Reflect on your teaching style.

“You will fashion tasks and exercises that emphasize student collaboration and de-emphasize the traditional role of the instructor as the central figure in the pedagogical play.”

[Ko and Rossen, 2010]

Course Learning Objectives   By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  Explain basic computing constructs.  Apply these computing constructs to the creation of various

projects, including animations, drawings, stories, and games.  Reflect on ideas and solutions and be able to propose

alternatives.

The Scratch Interface and Scratch Blocks

Using Multiple Costumes

Discussion Assignment

Discussion Forum Post

Responses to the Post

Algorithms

Programming Project 2

Blocks to Try

DancePartyBlocks.pdf

Strategies Discussion - Example 1   When I'm stuck, sometimes I'll try picking a new sprite at

random to see what comes up. I'll do it a couple times until I find one that sparks my imagination. I'll also try playing what I have so far a couple times and imagine that I'm seeing it for the first time. What would I want to see next? What's missing? It can help!    I really wish that I had this great of an imagination when it

comes to this kind of stuff. I think much more "black & white" (if that even makes any sense). I might have to try that out and see if something jumps out at me! Keep it up. 

Strategies Discussion – Example 2   when I get  a stuck on designing, usually I would like to

check the use guide at first. if I still cannot find out the answer, then I would google it. Sometimes people will make a video on YouTube to describe step by step, and then I can follow the video to finish my design.  Videos are really helpful. I like all the ones we've been assigned

to watch because it's so easy to follow them exactly. Sometimes when it's written on paper it's much more confusing than when it's being shown to you.

 Thanks for sharing that , I just replayed the video and solve some problems.

Strategies Discussion – Example 3a   I've really had some problems when it comes to certain problems,

so I have been getting stuck often. I have moved from my strategy of hitting my head against the computer to actually re-reading what it is I don't understand. A lot of times it was just something that didn't process the first time around. However, once I've re-read the directions and I still don't seem to get it I look at the reference guide. The reference guide will not tell you the answer but will help you to find a way to piece things together to make it more understandable. After that if I still am not understanding I try to walk away from it for a while for a few minutes try to see if maybe the answer would make sense if I take my eyes off of it. IF all of that fails, I post on Blackboard to see if maybe anyone else has some better ways to help me out. Overall its all about the directions and reading and even re-reading.

Strategies Discussion – Example 3b   I think you make a great point about just stepping away from

the computer sometimes to clear your head when you're stuck. This is a strategy that I use all the time on research papers, and I certainly think it applies to scratch projects as well. Sometimes you just need to take a step back and refocus your thoughts to help uncover where your mistakes are

Project Feedback – Example 1   The biggest issue that I see with your project is that there are a lot

of commands associated with pressing a key, but I'm not sure what keys to press when I play the game. Maybe consider changing your key commands to [broadcast] blocks instead. You can use the broadcast and receive blocks to connect each piece of the story without having to press a specific key. Hope this helps.....

  Hi XXXXX, This was a really great project! It had some awesome concepts! I think this will turn out really well.  When I played the game, after I clicked "yes" to continue it didn't continue, the game just stopped. I think that you might want to look back at lab 10, to continue the loop of the game. I really enjoyed playing this! Hope this helps! Best of luck

Project Feedback – Example 2 •  After looking at your project again, I did see a couple areas

where you might consider a few modifications. During the part where the guide tells how to apply the wax, you might want to find a way to show the bottom of the skis, instead of the top. A beginner might be confused and put wax on top of their skis. Also, it would be nice to be able to start the guide over again at the end (in case the user makes a mistake inputting info).

Project Feedback – Example 3 •  I love the song! And this is a classical game! But could you tell

us how to play it first? When I played it first, I pressed up arrow and down arrow. I did not know I should press W and S.

Project Feedback – Example 4   I like your project although I do not like quiz. But could you

display the right answer if my choice is wrong?

4. Start early!   Preparation took more time than my face-to-face course

 Rethinking my approach   Learning about and choosing online teaching tools and

techniques  Designing and setting up the course (and revising the course!)  Discovering and creating material that is useful for online

learning

5. Create a detailed syllabus. . . . and find a way to make sure the students actually read the

syllabus.   Parts I added to my face-to-face syllabus

  Explanation of online format  My expectations for the time required to complete this course   Instructor availability  Classroom etiquette  Technical Requirements and technical support

Description of Online Format This course is being offered in an online format. It will cover the same information as the on-campus course. Students who sign up for this course should be self-motivated and self-directed. You will need to take the responsibility to stay current with the course and complete assignments on time. This is not a self-paced course. You will have weekly assignments and deadlines.

My Expectations This course is a condensed course. The course will be five weeks in duration. That means that every week of this course contains twice as much material as a normal 10-week course. You should plan to spend a minimum of 20 to 25 hours per week on this course. It is your responsibility to plan your week so that you can complete all assignments on time. The first four weeks of this course will begin on Tuesday morning and end on Monday at 11:59 PM Mountain Time Zone. The final week of this course will end on Friday (July 20) at 11:59 PM Mountain Time Zone. All due dates are listed in Mountain Time. I will post the material for the following week on Friday afternoon.

Instructor Availability Please post all course related questions to the appropriate forum of the Blackboard discussion board so that all class members can benefit from the questions and responses. I will try to answer any question posted on a discussion board within 24 hours during normal business hours (M-F, 8:00 A.M – 5:00 PM). Questions posted over the weekend will be answered on Monday. Please keep this in mind when submitting questions and planning for assignment deadlines. If you email me a course related question, I will ask you to post it in the discussion forum. For personal matters, please contact me via email. I will try to respond to your email within 24 hours during normal business hours. If you do not hear from me within this time frame, please email me again. Emails send over the weekend will be answered on Monday. Please keep this in mind when submitting questions and planning for assignment deadlines.

Classroom Etiquette Students enrolled in this course are expected to be respectful of each other and the instructor at all times regardless of the type of communication (e.g., discussion boards, email) being used.

6. Engage your students early and often.   Decide how you want them to participate.

 Reward them for their participation!  Maria H. Andersen. “Can Math and Discussions Boards

Compute?” (http://www.maa.org/columns/tech/dec2011-jan2012.html)

  Help them to get acquainted.   Communicate with them frequently, both as a group and

individually.   Add a “social” aspect to the course.   Solicit feedback.

The way you award points may vary …

  Maria H. Andersen. “Can Math and Discussions Boards Compute?” (http://www.maa.org/columns/tech/dec2011-jan2012.html)

Q & A Discussions in my course Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Number of Topics

10 12 20 19

Total Posts 26 44 51 73

Average Posts per Topic

2.6 3.7 2.6 3.8

Median Posts per Topic

2.5 3 2 3

Minimum Posts per Topic

1 1 1 2

Maximum Posts per Topic

4 7 7 8

My “rubric” for questions and answers

Update …

6. Engage your students early and often.   Decide how you want them to participate.

 Reward them for their participation!  Maria H. Andersen. “Can Math and Discussions Boards

Compute?” (http://www.maa.org/columns/tech/dec2011-jan2012.html)

  Help them to get acquainted.   Communicate with them frequently, both as a group and

individually.   Add a “social” aspect to the course.   Solicit feedback.

Individual Communication XXXXX, I wanted to check in with you because it appears you are falling behind in the course. Lab 3 and programming Project 2 were not uploaded before the deadline. Also Quiz 1 was not completed before the deadline. Remember that all deadlines are in Mountain Time.

Please contact me as soon as possible to let me know what is up.

Thanks.

Susanne

Virtual Student Lounge (1)   Hi All!

If anyone reads the threads I would greatly appreciate if someone could give me some tips or tricks about how to organize getting work for this course done. I tend to split up the work throughout the week, but some of the Scratch labs take me hours at a time (I'm learning slowly but surely). This is my first online class, does anyone have an effective study and work method? How do you guys like to split up the work load for this class? THANKS!

  Hey!  This is my first online course as well so we will see how we both fare. I think the checklist that has been put in place is very helpful! Just giving a quick glance at everything to determine which takes top priority is what I tend to do before I dive in to everything. However, if I find something that really helps, I will post it and I hope you do the same!

Virtual Student Lounge (2)   Thanks XXXXX!

I am glad I'm not flying solo over here! I will be sure to send anything your way!  Thank you!!!

  I work all day so I split the class into nightly sections. For example, last night I watched some of the tutorials and did Lab 4, and tonight I am doing some discussion and Lab 5. Hope this helps, it works for me just to make sure I have a manageable portion at a time without trying to do too much in one sitting or fall behind. 

Weekly Feedback Survey 1. Do you like the online learning environment so far? Why or

why not? 2. Did you have any problems with any of the items in this

week’s modules? If so, what were they? 3. How many hours did you spend learning the material and

completing this week’s assignments? •  Less than 15 •  15 - 20 •  20 - 25 •  More than 25

4. Are there any other comments that you would like to share?

Responses Week 4 – Question 1

Do you like the online learning environment so far? Why or why not?

   I have enjoyed it so far, making a game this week was especially fun.   This week was really difficult learning the lists and the variables.  So, I

didn't really like the online learning environment this week.    There are pros and cons. I like being able to work at my own pace when

I feel like it, and receiving feedback online. Sometimes I wish questions could be answered immediately though, which is impossible in the online setting.

  Yes, I love the flexibility that online learning offers.   For sure! I like the online discussions and working from home has been

easy for this class.   I like the online learning environment because of the time I can set

aside.

Responses Week 4 – Question 1

   Yes it has been going well.

  Yes, online learning give you time to think by yourself and if it happened in classroom students will just ask the professor for assistant

  I already adapted the online learning environment. Because I can manage my time flexible.

   I am going to keep putting in the same answer because I love learning online. I love going at my own pace and being able to do what I need to do whenever I want to do it. It is perfect for my learning style! 

  My only problem is that other students do not often post in the discussion section, which makes it difficult to participate there.

Responses Week 4 – Question 3

How many hours did you spend learning the material and completing this week’s assignments?

Less than 15 1

15-20 4

20-25 6

More than 25 1

7. Think about the layout of your course.

  Strive for a simple, intuitive design.  Consider how you group elements of your course.  Think about navigation.

  Provide prompts that guide students through the course.

Course Menu

Week 1 Modules

Module 1-3: Dance Party   Introduction to this Module   Discussion Assignment – Giving Directions   Algorithms   Using Multiple Costumes   Lab 3 (link)   Programming Project 2 (link)   Example Projects   Blocks to Try

“How-To” Video Tutorials

8. Assess your course . . . and, if possible, receive feedback from colleagues.

  California State University, Chico’s Rubric for Online Instruction (http://www.csuchico.edu/roi/)

  Quality Matters Rubric (http://www.qmprogram.org/rubric)

  Assessing Online Facilitation (http://humboldt.edu/aof/aof.htm)

9. Expect the unexpected.

10. Have fun!

Final Project Discussion   (Student) Is there any way to delete what is stored for the

answer to a question? I have a question repeating over and over again until the answer is correct, then it goes to another repeated question with similar answer choices. When I run the script, it keeps the answer in memory for the second question and moves on. Here is a screen shot that will make more sense. < screen shot not shown> Is there a way to insert something between the repeats to clear the stored answer before it asks the second question?

  (Student) I think I figured out a workaround using an [if/else] block that accomplishes the same thing, but I'm still curious if there is a way to to delete the stored answer. Here's my workaround:  <screen shot not shown>

  (Instructor) Yes, this looks like it will work. Nice work around! (I did post another suggestion as well.)

  (Instructor) Good question. As far as I know, the only time the blue answer variable changes is when the user replies to a question. However, you could create your own variable and "copy" the answer into it. Something like this should work: <screen shot not shown> I created the variable called "my answer" and then set it to a space. Does this make sense?

  (Student) This definitely makes sense. I love that there's so many different ways to write similar working scripts! 

Questions?