Matt ClareMatt Clare

Brock University, Niagara Region, CanadaBrock University, Niagara Region, Canada

brocku.ca/ctlet/about-ctlet/staffbrocku.ca/ctlet/about-ctlet/staff

http://confluence.sakaiproject.org/display/CONF2011/2011-16-15+LMS-Based+Teaching+Hacks

or or http://go.mattclare.ca/sakaiconf11http://go.mattclare.ca/sakaiconf11

About About MattMattFrom Brock From Brock University, Niagara University, Niagara Region of CanadaRegion of Canada- Work in Centre for - Work in Centre for Teaching & LearningTeaching & Learning

- Teach intro courses - Teach intro courses in Interactive Arts & in Interactive Arts & SciencesSciences

Teaching Hacks are NOTTeaching Hacks are NOT

Hacks: Hacks: tricks involving technology that likely aren’t tricks involving technology that likely aren’t using technology as it was intended.using technology as it was intended.

Teaching hacks add pedagogy to technology to Teaching hacks add pedagogy to technology to cleverly improve teaching.cleverly improve teaching.

The balance between pedagogy and technology variesThe balance between pedagogy and technology varies

A growing collection of hacks in no A growing collection of hacks in no particular order.particular order.

Please share your “hacks” too.Please share your “hacks” too.

The The HacksHacks

1.1. Clandestine Attendance TrackingClandestine Attendance Tracking

2.2. Course Outline QuizCourse Outline Quiz

3.3. Learning About Your StudentsLearning About Your Students

4.4. Forums/DiscussionsForums/Discussions

5.5. Get a fake student accountGet a fake student account

6.6. Embedding ContentEmbedding Content

7.7. Simple Student Showcases and Spaces fro Simple Student Showcases and Spaces fro CollaborationCollaboration

8.8. Copyright/Public ReleaseCopyright/Public Release

9.9. Track UsageTrack Usage

10.10. Explain how your course site worksExplain how your course site works

11.11. RSS/News ToolRSS/News Tool

12.12. Grades and SpreadsheetsGrades and Spreadsheets

Call for hacksCall for hacks

Please share your “hacks” too.Please share your “hacks” too.

Love to build a dialogue, if not a community, Love to build a dialogue, if not a community, around this idea.around this idea.

Clandestine Attendance Clandestine Attendance TrackingTracking

Start of Class QuizzesStart of Class Quizzes

Simple, "open computer", quiz on the previous class' Simple, "open computer", quiz on the previous class' content has a number of benefits:content has a number of benefits:

1.1. It encourages students to pay attention in class, knowing It encourages students to pay attention in class, knowing that there is a quiz next classthat there is a quiz next class

2.2. Forces students to reflect and apply learning from Forces students to reflect and apply learning from previous class within a few days of learning it, helping previous class within a few days of learning it, helping knowledge make it into student's long-term memoryknowledge make it into student's long-term memory

3.3. The results of the quiz give students a gauge of how a The results of the quiz give students a gauge of how a student is doing in the class and identifies areas in which student is doing in the class and identifies areas in which the student needs to study morethe student needs to study more

4.4. Encourages students to attend class, as quizzes are Encourages students to attend class, as quizzes are given a small weighting in the final markgiven a small weighting in the final mark

What to cover todayWhat to cover today

A one question quiz asking what to cover today A one question quiz asking what to cover today -- if not topic then order.-- if not topic then order.

This will give a less-than-perfect record of who This will give a less-than-perfect record of who was present.was present.

Check-in / Check-OutCheck-in / Check-Out

Ask one or two questions about how students Ask one or two questions about how students learning is going. learning is going.

At the start of class ask questions to reflect on At the start of class ask questions to reflect on what they've learned so far: hi-lights, insights, what they've learned so far: hi-lights, insights, outstanding questions or similar questions at outstanding questions or similar questions at the end.the end.

These test results or assignment submissions These test results or assignment submissions not only let the instructor know who is in the not only let the instructor know who is in the room but they also let the instructor know room but they also let the instructor know where to focus their teaching.where to focus their teaching.

Course Outline QuizCourse Outline Quiz

Quiz + Selective Quiz + Selective ReleaseRelease

Configure the course Resources to contain only Configure the course Resources to contain only the course outline and a quiz on the course the course outline and a quiz on the course outline when student first access the site.outline when student first access the site.

The rest of the course Resources will only be The rest of the course Resources will only be revealed once the student has taken the quiz. revealed once the student has taken the quiz.

If the quiz on the course outline is sent to the If the quiz on the course outline is sent to the Gradebook then all of the Resources can have Gradebook then all of the Resources can have a conditional release based on the course a conditional release based on the course outline quiz's results for each student.outline quiz's results for each student.

Learning About Your Learning About Your StudentsStudents

Entrance Quiz on "How I Entrance Quiz on "How I Learn Best"Learn Best"

Profile your learners about how they learn, Profile your learners about how they learn, what their preferences are, what helps them what their preferences are, what helps them best understand complex topics and what their best understand complex topics and what their experience with learning [online] might be.experience with learning [online] might be.

You could ask specific questions or quickly get You could ask specific questions or quickly get students to select from a quick multiple choice students to select from a quick multiple choice question about classic learning styles from question about classic learning styles from KOLB or VAK or to identify with a set of fictional KOLB or VAK or to identify with a set of fictional learner profiles.learner profiles.

Learning Student's Learning Student's Names & Introductions: Names & Introductions: RosterRoster

Tools like the Tools like the RosterRoster tool can help. The Pictures tool can help. The Pictures view can be particularly useful if your view can be particularly useful if your institution populates rosters with pictures or institution populates rosters with pictures or has students actively using the profile tool.has students actively using the profile tool.

One can always offer to friend-back anyone One can always offer to friend-back anyone who friends the instructor with their picture who friends the instructor with their picture added - and perhaps add a funny joke or fact in added - and perhaps add a funny joke or fact in your own profile notes.your own profile notes.

Learning Student's Learning Student's Names & Introductions: Names & Introductions: AssessAssess

Ask students to submit a quiz or Assignment Ask students to submit a quiz or Assignment about themselves, potentially with a picture about themselves, potentially with a picture attached.attached.

Learning Student's Names & Learning Student's Names & Introductions: Introductions in Introductions: Introductions in Blog or ForumsBlog or Forums

Ask students to introduce themselves in the Ask students to introduce themselves in the blog or forums tools. Instructors should provide blog or forums tools. Instructors should provide either a model posting or some suggestions for either a model posting or some suggestions for what is relevant and/or acceptable.what is relevant and/or acceptable.

In some cases, a URL might be all that is In some cases, a URL might be all that is needed?needed?

Forums/DiscussionsForums/Discussions

Student Questions Student Questions ForumForum

Why answer the same question over and over Why answer the same question over and over again? again?

An instructor can create a forum topic named An instructor can create a forum topic named "course questions" that students can use to "course questions" that students can use to both post their question and scan for both post their question and scan for responses from the instructor, TAs or other responses from the instructor, TAs or other students. students.

Questions with answers in the course outline Questions with answers in the course outline can be answered ASAP by anyone, deeper can be answered ASAP by anyone, deeper questions can be answered by the instructors questions can be answered by the instructors once and for all.once and for all.

Discussion Discussion Boards/Forums as File Boards/Forums as File Revision TrackingRevision Tracking

Forums can be used as a file versioning and Forums can be used as a file versioning and storage system. This will allow students to storage system. This will allow students to access their files and share others' through a access their files and share others' through a central location and maintain a conical file.central location and maintain a conical file.

The Wiki tool can be used as a revision control The Wiki tool can be used as a revision control system, however only for simple text, and the system, however only for simple text, and the interface is not very intuitive.interface is not very intuitive.

Embedding Embedding ContentContent

Google Docs: Google Docs: PresentationsPresentations

One of the most faithful ways to transfer a One of the most faithful ways to transfer a PowerPoint presentation to the web is through PowerPoint presentation to the web is through Google Docs or other sites that allow you to Google Docs or other sites that allow you to embed actual slides with with animations, etc.embed actual slides with with animations, etc.

Services include:Services include:

http://docs.google.comhttp://docs.google.com

http://slideshare.comhttp://slideshare.com

Google Docs: FormsGoogle Docs: Forms

Small forms can be Small forms can be embed in may places embed in may places inside your course to inside your course to seek student seek student feedback.feedback.

Audio (and some linked Audio (and some linked video)video)

Yahoo's Media player Yahoo's Media player http://mediaplayer.yahoo.com/http://mediaplayer.yahoo.com/ can be added can be added wherever the <script> tag is allowed. Once the wherever the <script> tag is allowed. Once the script is added any links to an MP3 file, etc are script is added any links to an MP3 file, etc are playable on the web page.playable on the web page.

<script type="text/javascript" src="<script type="text/javascript" src="http://webplayer.yahooapis.com/player.jshttp://webplayer.yahooapis.com/player.js"></script>"></script>

Embed YouTube videoEmbed YouTube video

Simple Student Simple Student Showcases and Spaces Showcases and Spaces for Collaborationfor Collaboration

General Student FolderGeneral Student Folder

Instructors can create a folder forInstructors can create a folder forstudents to upload items to the students to upload items to the ResourcesResources tool. This can be a tool. This can be a useful way for students to share useful way for students to share their work with others in the site.their work with others in the site.

Any regular folder in the Any regular folder in the ResourcesResources tool can be tool can be modified to allow students to add items to it by modified to allow students to add items to it by editing the folder permissions. Folders can also editing the folder permissions. Folders can also be limited to only allow access to individuals in be limited to only allow access to individuals in specific groups set-up through specific groups set-up through Manage GroupsManage Groups..

Student Showcase Student Showcase FolderFolder

Instructors can create a folder with student Instructors can create a folder with student presentations or other files. Once the instructor presentations or other files. Once the instructor has proper permissions, the instructor can all has proper permissions, the instructor can all students to edit the folder (potentially their students to edit the folder (potentially their own files, but practically all) as well as vary own files, but practically all) as well as vary which files are public and which can only be which files are public and which can only be accessed by the class.accessed by the class.

This approach creates a showcase of student This approach creates a showcase of student work that students can update or remove AND work that students can update or remove AND respects students willingness to share with just respects students willingness to share with just their peers or the whole internet. their peers or the whole internet.

Copyright/Public Copyright/Public ReleaseRelease

Copyright/Public Copyright/Public ReleaseRelease

Add a question or item to assignment or tests and Add a question or item to assignment or tests and quizzes that asks for permission for content to be quizzes that asks for permission for content to be shared with the rest of the class, institution or the shared with the rest of the class, institution or the rest of the internet.rest of the internet.

Works with FIPPA, what about FERPA?Works with FIPPA, what about FERPA?

Students may appreciate that opportunity to Students may appreciate that opportunity to indicate that they would like to review the item indicate that they would like to review the item first, place a condition on the grade received or first, place a condition on the grade received or have the ability to make revisions.have the ability to make revisions.

Students should always be given the opportunity Students should always be given the opportunity to change their mind.to change their mind.

Track UsageTrack Usage

Track Usage: Site Stats Track Usage: Site Stats and othersand others

Either with Either with Site StatsSite Stats or or embed something from embed something from another site or service like another site or service like sitemeter.comsitemeter.com that that monitors traffic (keeping in monitors traffic (keeping in mind your local privacy mind your local privacy regime).regime).

Can shape where you put Can shape where you put your efforts: is it worth your efforts: is it worth producing the exam producing the exam review sheet or should you review sheet or should you instead host a chat, or instead host a chat, or not?not?

Explain how your course Explain how your course site workssite works

Explain how your course Explain how your course site workssite works

Take a moment to explain in video or in text Take a moment to explain in video or in text how the course site works and place it in a how the course site works and place it in a prominent location, such as the home page or prominent location, such as the home page or the announcements area when the students the announcements area when the students first gain access. first gain access.

Explain both how each to works and more Explain both how each to works and more importantly how you expect students to use it. importantly how you expect students to use it. Not all instructors or students conceive of tools Not all instructors or students conceive of tools like the Gradebook or the wiki the same way. like the Gradebook or the wiki the same way.

Clear expectations help everyone.Clear expectations help everyone.

RSS/News ToolRSS/News Tool

Published FeedsPublished Feeds

Link the course blog with the “Link the course blog with the “official”official” course course sitesite

Publishers feeds..Publishers feeds..

Journals...Journals...

News sites...News sites...

Stock Information...Stock Information...

Social BookmarkingSocial BookmarkingWhile it still exists, While it still exists, http://del.icio.ushttp://del.icio.us can be used for groups to can be used for groups to bookmark urls and tag them. bookmark urls and tag them. Instructors could ask students Instructors could ask students to tag URL with very unique tags, to tag URL with very unique tags, for example a course code. for example a course code.

From the From the http://del.icio.ushttp://del.icio.us web page you can go web page you can go to the tags section to the tags section http://www.delicious.com/taghttp://www.delicious.com/tag and search the and search the tag and find the RSS link at the bottom of the tag and find the RSS link at the bottom of the page.page.

Twitter Hastags and Twitter Hastags and Other SearchesOther Searches

If students or other communities are using a If students or other communities are using a hashtag to communicate in Twitter an hashtag to communicate in Twitter an instructor can search for that hashtag at instructor can search for that hashtag at http://search.twitter.comhttp://search.twitter.com and copy the URL and copy the URL from the "Feed for this query" link on the right.from the "Feed for this query" link on the right.

Adding the Twitter search link as a News/RSS Adding the Twitter search link as a News/RSS tool will add the conversation about this hastag tool will add the conversation about this hastag to the course site.to the course site.

Grades and Grades and SpreadsheetsSpreadsheets

Dropping the Lowest Dropping the Lowest ItemItem

The a good approach is to create a new column The a good approach is to create a new column and apply a formula that will SUM all of the and apply a formula that will SUM all of the items and subtract the MIN of those items.items and subtract the MIN of those items.

The best approach is to confirm that the The best approach is to confirm that the student completed all of the items thus student completed all of the items thus accounting for the distinction between a accounting for the distinction between a null/exemption value and a score of zero.null/exemption value and a score of zero.=IF(COUNT(B2,C2,D2,E2,F2,G2)=6,SUM(B2,C2,D2,E2,F2,G2)-MIN(B2,C2,D2,E2,F2,G2),SUM(B2,C2,D2,E2,F2,G2))

Low Grade Alerts: Visual Low Grade Alerts: Visual AlertsAlerts

In MS Excel or Google Docs select the relevant In MS Excel or Google Docs select the relevant column (such as final grade), choose from the column (such as final grade), choose from the "Format" menu "Conditional Formatting", click "Format" menu "Conditional Formatting", click to add a rule, choose one of the colour options to add a rule, choose one of the colour options and add it.and add it.

You will then get colour based alerts behind the You will then get colour based alerts behind the students relevant column.students relevant column.

Low Grade Alerts: E-Mail Low Grade Alerts: E-Mail StudentsStudents

Sort the grades by the final grade (or other Sort the grades by the final grade (or other relevant column). Choose your braking point relevant column). Choose your braking point and then copy and paste the the "Student ID" and then copy and paste the the "Student ID" column into your E-Mail clients column into your E-Mail clients BCCBCC filed and filed and send off a generic alert to students. send off a generic alert to students.

Turning usernames into Turning usernames into E-Mail AddressesE-Mail Addresses

In many institutions (including Brock In many institutions (including Brock University) the "Student ID" field only has University) the "Student ID" field only has usernames, not the full E-Mail address with the usernames, not the full E-Mail address with the @ and domain.@ and domain.

One way to add the @ and domain is to add a One way to add the @ and domain is to add a column beside "Student ID" and paste into the column beside "Student ID" and paste into the cells a formula like =A2&"@brocku.ca" -- in this cells a formula like =A2&"@brocku.ca" -- in this case adding @brocku.ca to the case adding @brocku.ca to the usernames/Student IDs.usernames/Student IDs.

Thanks!Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who contributed, Thanks to everyone who contributed, knowingly or not.knowingly or not.

http://confluence.sakaiproject.org/display/CONF2011/2011-16-15+LMS-Based+Teaching+Hacks

or or http://go.mattclare.ca/sakaiconf11http://go.mattclare.ca/sakaiconf11

Hide ResourcesHide Resources

Givings students access Givings students access to hidden itemsto hidden items

Forums for hierarchical Forums for hierarchical layout layout DubiousDubious

??