Category Archives: Course Redesign
Qualtrics Offers New Features for Mobile Compatibility Checker, Multi-Click Heat Maps, Goals Lines for Graphs and More…
May 14, 2013
Qualtrics recently added a series of features that you will see listed as you log into Qualtrics, along with links to instructions and tutorials. To review a few of those features, let’s start with the Mobile Compatibility Checker. This checker allows you to optimize your survey to be viewed and taken on mobile devices. Mobile [...]
Creating a Complete/Incomplete assignment option in Blackboard Learn
March 25, 2013
Instructors sometimes ask, ”How can I create an assignment in Blackboard Learn that isn’t graded?” It is possible to create a check mark in your Grade Center indicating a task is completed without assigning a grade value. The trick is setting that part up after you have created the assignment. To have an entry that [...]
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 – [...]
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 [...]
To rip or not to rip…
May 29, 2012
The exceptions to the U.S. copyright law (Fair Use and the TEACH Act) allow instructors to use video clips in online classes similarly to how they might in face-to-face classes. You might assume, then, that it is legal to take video clips from DVD’s and put them online for a class. But if I were [...]
What’s New in Blackboard Learn
March 30, 2012
With Purdue’s change from Blackboard Vista to Blackboard Learn underway, I thought it would be helpful to highlight some of most noticable changes between the two systems, and point out some things the new system lets users do that the old system could not. No Build, Teach, or Student Tabs There are no Build, Teach, [...]
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 [...]
Blackboard users group meets Jan. 31 to hear about Learn 9.1 features
January 19, 2012
The cross-campus Blackboard Users Group will meet from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Users may attend in person or connect online via Adobe Connect. Users of Blackboard or other teaching and learning technology tools are invited to join this community to share strategies, tips and techniques. The focus of this semester’s meetings will begin [...]
Student Redesign: Resources to help Students be Successful
January 13, 2012
In my previous post, I discussed how there exists a shared responsibility between the University and its students with regard to their success. In this post, I’d like to share a list of resources to which students can be referred. Academic Advisors A student’s academic advisor can often provide the best information with regard to [...]