life hacks for instructors

Life Hacks for InstructorsTools for increasing efficiency

Graduation Conference PresentationAngel Rodgers

Where does the time go?Discussion BoardsGradingEmailCourse PrepAdministrative/housekeeping

tasksProfessional Development

Know where it’s going!

Streamline what you canDiscussion board thread starters

can be tweaked at the start of a course as part of your prep. Having 5-7 core thread starters prepped before the seminar starts is something I strive for. This makes sure I have plotted out the scaffolding for the week and that there is some pre-planned structure.

Weekly announcements

GradingConsider how to make use of Bb’s

Rubrics tools and in-line grading to create click-and-go rubrics.

Once you create a set for a course, you can keep a zip file of them and simply import them into the course the next time you teach it.

Clickable rubrics save time while still allowing for consistent, meaningful feedback.

Rubric Examples

Recycle old rubrics!

Blackboard has a YouTube Channel

Professional Development

T4LT

LangiappeDon’t underestimate little things like

GIFs.A video welcome announcement can add

something personal to the class. Alexis and Judy beat me to this, and when I finally took the leap, I was hooked.

Digital Films on Demand, embedded YouTube videos, having your own YouTube channel with things like your video announcement or other “how-to” videos can help