In my last post, I spoke a lot about how we are struggling to connect with the current generation: our students. So how can you communicate effectively with your students in an online classroom How can you make online education work for you? Hopefully this post helps to answer some of those questions...
There are many new ideas on how to teach and learn in the online environment. For
example, microlectures, badges, video communication, and challenge-based learning have
become very popular. One of the most promising online strategies for the mathematics
classroom is utilizing microlectures. EDUCAUSE describes microlectures as, “a short recorded
audio or video presentation on a single, tightly defined topic” (para 1.). In an online class,
microlectures could be used to help introduce or demonstrate a skill. I know you might be wondering why you can't just post a picture of an article for your students to read or type out instructions. That's probably how you learned when you were a kid, with a textbook. However, microlectures allows the instructor to show exactly how to solve a problem with both verbal and physical demonstrations. Reading instructions that say, “subtract x on both sides” and seeing someone physically subtract x on both sides can make a huge difference on a student’s understanding of a skill or topic. This confusion is completely eliminated with the use of microlectures.
Another benefit of microlectures is that the students have the ability to refer back to the
lecture as often as they want. We all have the student that asks a question as soon as they have to
try it on their own. For this struggling student, they now have the ability to rewind and pause the
lecture as many times as needed. This student does not have to go at the same pace as everyone
else. They can simply rewatch until they have mastered that skill or feel comfortable to try it on
their own. In our traditional classroom, you probably repeat yourself multiple times a day because a student didn't catch it the first time you said it. This issue is eliminated with online education.
Here is an example of a microlecture that could be used in an Algebra 1 course:
Microlectures are more than just videos for students to passively watch. With embedded questions, comments, and voice notes students are actively engaged in the learning process. With the visuals that a video can offer the students, they are probably more interested in learning this way than listening to another one of our lectures. Heck, I wish I had this option growing up... Change doesn't have to be a bad thing.
There are many new ideas on how to teach and learn in the online environment. For
example, microlectures, badges, video communication, and challenge-based learning have
become very popular. One of the most promising online strategies for the mathematics
classroom is utilizing microlectures. EDUCAUSE describes microlectures as, “a short recorded
audio or video presentation on a single, tightly defined topic” (para 1.). In an online class,
microlectures could be used to help introduce or demonstrate a skill. I know you might be wondering why you can't just post a picture of an article for your students to read or type out instructions. That's probably how you learned when you were a kid, with a textbook. However, microlectures allows the instructor to show exactly how to solve a problem with both verbal and physical demonstrations. Reading instructions that say, “subtract x on both sides” and seeing someone physically subtract x on both sides can make a huge difference on a student’s understanding of a skill or topic. This confusion is completely eliminated with the use of microlectures.
Another benefit of microlectures is that the students have the ability to refer back to the
lecture as often as they want. We all have the student that asks a question as soon as they have to
try it on their own. For this struggling student, they now have the ability to rewind and pause the
lecture as many times as needed. This student does not have to go at the same pace as everyone
else. They can simply rewatch until they have mastered that skill or feel comfortable to try it on
their own. In our traditional classroom, you probably repeat yourself multiple times a day because a student didn't catch it the first time you said it. This issue is eliminated with online education.
Here is an example of a microlecture that could be used in an Algebra 1 course:
Microlectures are more than just videos for students to passively watch. With embedded questions, comments, and voice notes students are actively engaged in the learning process. With the visuals that a video can offer the students, they are probably more interested in learning this way than listening to another one of our lectures. Heck, I wish I had this option growing up... Change doesn't have to be a bad thing.
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