Interacting with Students
Overview
In this session, we had an open dialogue on general and specific concerns when interacting with students, both in and outside of the scheduled classroom meeting time(s). To enhance the discussion, we leveraged SUNY's OSCQR Rubric, more specifically the "Interaction" section to provide a framework and create a dialogue on why meeting these standards is important and then how to best approach meeting those standards.
For those unable to attend the live session, we have pre-recorded a "mini-lecture" describing the main topics, themes and strategies. You can find the recording under the "Pre-Recorded Review" heading.
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Video Recording
Live sessions are not recorded but please feel free to watch and engage with the material, by watching this 10-15 min. recorded session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there multiple ways of engaging with students, using Blackboard?
Yes! Blackboard has several options for you to engage with students. Here are a couple of the tools and guides on some of the exciting features you can implement in your class (regardless of modality).
- Announcements - Posting a Welcome message, introducing you some major themes of the course and "Next Steps". Post timely and/or "fun" announcements, allowing students to engage with "real-world" concepts and learn a little more about you in the process.
- Email/Messages - Connect with students by sending emails within the learning platform (Blackboard). This helps to centralize some of the communication and keeps a record of the correspondence.
- Discussions - Implement a "Q&A Form", provide instructions on when you will review and post responses. Provide examples and discussion rubrics and guidelines for how students should be engaging with each other.
- Recording Audio/Video - Utilize Zoom, VoiceThread, and Blackboard Collaborate to record mini lectures (5-7 minutes), provide feedback on assignments, and engage in discussions.
Increasing Student Accountability in Online (Synchronous) Sessions.
Although this question was specific to Zoom sessions, I think the information detailed in this source helps frame ways to think about this specific topic. Purdue University, Student Accountability in Online Environments. As this resource mentions, some important questions to consider when developing your lesson plan are; (1) What does "being accountable" mean to my students?, (2) What are the foundational elements of student accountability?, and (3) Why are some foundational elements of student accountability more challenging than others in blended and online learning?
Additionally, I am adding a link from the University of Florida Information Technology department on "Teaching Synchronous Zoom Classes". I feel like this resource helps provide practical advice on designing engaging and active online lessons.
Zoom and Camera Policy Concerns.
This is an on-going discussion and one that our department will provide further updates and guidance in the near future.
Resources
Pedagogical Approaches, Strategies, and Examples
Interacting with students starts with intention, which moves to planning. This list of resources is to help guide you through some of that thinking and possibly spark some new ways of engaging with your students, regardless of modality.
- Roberto, M. (2021). Engaging Students on the First Day and Every Day: 7 Strategies for Connecting in the Classroom. Harvard Business Publishing Education.
- Howard Gardner's Official Authoritative Site of Multiple Intelligences
- Teach Anywhere: Best Practices. Stanford University, Teach Anywhere Blog. Retireved [Oct. 1, 2023].
- Arteaga, D. & Molina, A. (2022). Tips and apps to encourage better interaction with students. Times Higher Education.
- Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. University of South Carolina Center for Teaching Excellence. Retrieved [Oct. 1, 2023]. Based on the following research from Chickering and Gamson (1987).
- Chickering, A. W. & Gamson, Z. F. (1987). Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education. Washington Center News.
Blackboard "How-To" Guides
Leveraging the tools available to you is a great way of starting to foster community but also provide much needed (additional) support/guidance for students. We have compiled this list of instructional guides from Blackboard Support, to centralize some of the information.