A few weeks back we asked how you encourage students to turn on cameras when appropriate for synchronous class sessions. Whitney Oliver in the College of Public Health shares these ideas. Thanks Whitney!
Make it a comfortable learning environment but keep a high level of professionalism and expectations.
To make it comfortable I plan on incorporating a lot of gamification to emphasize the lectures they are expected to watch prior to the session as well as discussions and breakout sessions.
Set the expectation at the beginning that we should treat these sessions just as we would in the classroom
Judgement free zone
Ability to use any virtual background they choose – of course within limitations, nothing that could be considered offensive.
Allow a turn off camera breaktime “Brainbreaks” during the 1 hour and 20 min session.
Every once in a while potentially incorporate dress up days or “show and tell days” where we have a theme potentially linked the lesson somehow.
The relationship between students and their teachers is built upon mutual trust and respect. This workshop includes strategies that will help faculty understand their students’ backgrounds and academic preparation. This “essential” also includes strategies for developing a course with an appropriate workload and level of difficulty. The workshop will also help faculty develop activities and assignments that will build students’ self-efficacy and encourage students to seek assistance.
This event is part of the four-part Teaching Essentials workshop series. Faculty who complete all four parts of the series will receive a certificate and a digital badge. This series may be particularly useful for new or junior faculty.
