105/03/2023

NEFDC – CAE Conference: May 29, 2015“Collaborations for Empowerment & Learning”

Frank J. Monaco@ProfessorMonaco

KISS: Proven Strategies to Stay Connected with Online

Students!

205/03/2023

• Teaching online without the benefit of face-to-face interaction has many challenges.

• However, over the years of teaching in the classroom and online both at the graduate and undergraduate level, the author has found some very simple strategies (often overlooked) that can greatly increase student satisfaction with online delivery almost to the level of good face-to-face instruction.

• This session will enumerate (and demonstrate) several of these extremely simple proven strategies, that, when enthusiastically executed, can vastly improve online connectivity and dialogue with students.

• If these “KISS” strategies are added to an online adjunct’s toolbox, higher satisfaction and better teaching and learning could result.

Abstract

305/03/2023

• I am a retired US Army Colonel who has been involved with leading Information Technology Teams for a very long time. 

• I have been the Chief Information Officer at two major US Universities (the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and Pace University, NY) and have led I.T. Teams during numerous Military Assignments.

• I have taught Computer Science at West Point as well as for the University of Maryland (MD) and Jefferson Community College (NY) (face to face).

• I am now an IT Consultant and teach online for the University of Maryland University College (Graduate Cyber Security) and Charter Oak State College, CT (Computer Science, Information Technology Leadership, and Cybersecurity).

• I can be reached @ProfessorMonaco.

Colonel (US Army, Retired) Frank J. Monaco

405/03/2023

KISS: Proven Strategies to Stay Connected with Online Students

• KISS #1 - Immediate Response to Student Inquiries• KISS #2 - Use Social Media, A/V and Some Synchronous Tools • KISS #3 - Prepare in Advance: Everything• KISS #4 - Personal Reflections – Review and Introduce SLOs• KISS #5 – Grade Early and Often• KISS #6 – Use “Test” TurnItIn• KISS #7 – Personal Introduction/Café Discussion Boards• KISS #8 - Consider a Group/Team Project• KISS #9 – Check and Double Check All Online Content• KISS #10 – Verify Versions

505/03/2023

KISS #1 - Immediate Response to Student Inquiries• “If you don’t hear from me within 24 hours, assume

that I am dead and call the Dean”.• Encourage contact outside the LMS – email or call

for personal issues.• Stay connected via mobile internet. Be serious about

this!• Check “Questions for the Instructor” Discussion

Forum twice daily.• Create a folder for all student inquiries • Evernote• Dropbox• Email

• Follow up!

605/03/2023

KISS #2 - Use of Social Media (Twitter, LinkedIn)

• Publish official and unofficial contact information –Twitter DMs and “follows” effective, as well as #hashtags for sections

• Use of Skype, Webex, Facetime, BlueJeans, ooVoo etc. on a regular basis

• At course conclusion, LinkedIn connections possible• Offer to write letters of recommendation (check

University/School Policy)

705/03/2023

• Label scheme – important: e.g., #7.3 Thursday, 5 March 2015 (Thursday of Week 7)  - convention #Week.Number of the Announcement for that Week

• Schedule release on a routine basis: e.g., Mondays and Wednesdays.

• Include quick-links• Announcements should• Recap work done• “set the stage” for new weekly activity• Remind students of ongoing and new assignments• Remind students how to contact instructor

• Set up “0” week(s) before course formal start• #Last Announcement – remind of post-course instructor support

KISS #3 - Prepare in Advance: News/Announcements (and Always Improve!)

805/03/2023

• Each week, review the last week’s SLOs• Introduce new SLOs for

current week• Personalize feedback!

KISS #4 - Personal Reflections – Review and Introduce SLOs

905/03/2023

• Grade Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday• Be consistent• Use rubrics • Use tools like “Jumpcut” to copy/paste

comments• Personalize feedback but derive from rubrics

– use first names on all feedback!

KISS #5 – Grade Early and Often

1005/03/2023

KISS #6 – Use Test TurnItIn

• Set Up a “test submission” for Assignments requiring Turn It In.• Not graded; get students familiar with the

system before they need it.

1105/03/2023

KISS # 7 – Personal Introduction / Café Discussion Boards/Forums

• Personal Introduction Discussion Boards• Encourage Use!• Provide Examples (Instructor Bio, picture, etc.)• Reply and Welcome everybody!

• Café Discussions Boards/Forums• Encourage Use (topics relating to the Course)• Instructor acknowledgement and followup

1205/03/2023

KISS #8 - Consider a Group/Team Project

• Extremely beneficial • Should be mandatory at the Graduate

Level• Provide Team Project Hints and join in

Synchronous conferences if asked

1305/03/2023

KISS #9 – Check and Double Check all Content

• Avoid Confusion at all costs• Links change often• LMS functionality changes often• Extremely important to view course

“as a learner”

1405/03/2023

KISS #10 – Verify Versions

• New Edition – new lectures• New Edition – new quizzes, exams• Master Shell may have changed

since last time taught –• Verify• Verify again!

1505/03/2023

KISS: Proven Strategies to Stay Connected with Online Students

• KISS #1 - Immediate Response to Student Inquiries• KISS #2 - Use Social Media, A/V and Some Synchronous Tools • KISS #3 - Prepare in Advance: Everything• KISS #4 - Personal Reflections – Review and Introduce SLOs• KISS #5 – Grade Early and Often• KISS #6 – Use “Test” TurnItIn• KISS #7 – Personal Introduction/Café Discussion Boards• KISS #8 - Consider a Group/Team Project• KISS #9 – Check and Double Check All Online Content• KISS #10 – Verify Versions

1605/03/2023

NEFDC – CAE Conference: May 29, 2015“Collaborations for Empowerment & Learning”

Frank J. Monaco@ProfessorMonaco

KISS: Proven Strategies to Stay Connected with Online

Students!