Category Archives: Classroom
Tips for Creating Accessible Online Documents
February 18, 2013
Purdue’s Web Accessibility Committee recently published a new resource. It is designed to help faculty and staff author documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. A wide variety of documents created by Purdue faculty and staff are uploaded into Blackboard or web pages. Each uploaded document — whether Microsoft Word, PDF, or another format [...]
Considering e-Texts for your class? Consider these points…
November 7, 2012
Many of us have a tendency to think that if we adopt an eText format for our class textbooks we will be more innovative and provide the students a cheaper service. Here are some common assumptions (if you are interested in the research behind these statements, please send me an email): eTexts cost less – [...]
Good Principles for a Successful Semester
August 23, 2012
As we embark on another academic year, I think it’s important to consider how we can create the best environment for learning. In 1987, Chickering and Gamson put forth a brief article titled Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. This document has become a touchstone for educators and instructional designers over the past [...]
Technology: What students know vs. what we want them to know
August 17, 2012
One of the common technology disconnects we see is faculty expectations compared to student abilities. One of the possible reasons for this is the types of technologies student most commonly use compared with the types of technologies we want them to use. Student Tech Use First off, some students have significantly more computer experience than [...]
Remote CART: From Challenges to Success
May 29, 2012
Have you been considering using remote CART services in an academic setting? Communication Access Realtime Translation* (CART) can be provided by a stenographer sitting in the classroom with a student who is deaf or hard of hearing. However, there are cost advantages to remote CART. There is no cost for travel time because the audio [...]
Overview of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK)
May 11, 2012
Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) is a theoretical framework for examining the funds of knowledge which educators use in order to design and develop lessons infused with technology (see the figure below for a graphic representation of TPACK). The term was originated by Dr. Punya Mishra and Dr. Matt Koehler. According to these researchers, [...]
Blackboard Learn Provides Enhanced Group Functions
March 15, 2012
Group functions within Blackboard Learn now allow for collaboration between students using blogs, file exchange, discussion board, journals, tasks, and Wikis. Students within a group can participate in real-time lessons and problem solving exercises. Groups may be set up manually, randomly automatic and by self-enrollment. Any number of groups or students to a group may [...]
The SCALE-UP Learning Environment
March 9, 2012
Recently I attended a presentation by Bob Beichner a Physics Professor from North Carolina State University, where he discussed how he transformed his class into the SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Active Learning Environment with Upside-down Pedagogies) learning environment. Dr. Beichner is one of the main pioneers in developing this type of learning environment.
To Flip or Not to Flip: Musings on Flipping the Classroom
February 24, 2012
Recently, you might have seen this infographic on flipping the classroom. If not, read through it, then come back to this post. Go ahead. I’ll wait. This post won’t make much sense otherwise (unless you’re already familiar with the concept of flipping the classroom). Purdue’s IMPACT project, in which I’m deeply involved, is helping some faculty [...]
Course Signals is DA BOMB
February 3, 2012
Course Signals (CS) is DA BOMB. While my lingo may be old school, it fits my message perfectly. But before I jump straight into the bombness of CS, let me begin by providing some context. Institutions of higher education, whether public, private, two-year or four-year, are facing challenges of budget crises, decreasing retention and longer [...]