Mathematics Educator Meetup: Creating a community around a teaching approach

TL;DR

Educators discuss fall preparation and brainstorm ideas for student engagement in online courses.

Transcript

thanks for being here guys we're looking forward to working with you can you guys see my screen yeah okay oh that's not what i wanted to do try this okay my name is becky street and i'm so excited to see you guys i think it's great to be able to meet with just um mathematicians or people who teach math so that we can kind of share some ideas meliss... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Educators are passionate about teaching and excited to collaborate with colleagues to improve their online courses.
• ❓ Professional development opportunities have been valuable in preparing educators for online instruction.
• 😒 Engaging students in online courses requires creativity and the use of various tools and strategies.
• 🧑‍🎓 Real-world applications of course content and extra credit assignments can enhance student engagement and motivation.
• 🎨 Assessment methods in online courses should be carefully designed to ensure academic integrity and accommodate different learning preferences.
• 🧑‍🎓 Collaborative discussions and idea-sharing among educators are essential for improving online instruction and student engagement.
• 💯 Student success and well-being should be at the core of course planning and instructional strategies.

Questions & Answers

Q: What decisions have been made for the fall semester in terms of course format?

The university has decided to put all fall 2020 courses either online or in a hybrid format, with synchronous components taking place either face-to-face or online.

Q: How are educators preparing for the fall semester?

Educators have been engaging in professional development opportunities, both locally and nationally, to enhance their teaching skills and learn about new tools and platforms for online instruction.

Q: How are educators promoting student engagement in online courses?

Educators are exploring strategies like breakout rooms, peer pods, interactive whiteboards, and real-world applications of course content to keep students engaged and connected.

Q: What assessment methods are being used in online courses?

Educators are using various assessment methods, including proctored exams using platforms like Honorlock, oral exams, and take-home exams with lower stakes and longer timeframes for completion.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The educators discuss the decisions made by their university to move fall courses online or to a hybrid format.

• They highlight the professional development opportunities they have taken advantage of over the summer to prepare for the upcoming semester.

• The group shares ideas for student engagement, such as using breakout rooms, peer pods, interactive whiteboards, and extra credit assignments based on real-world applications of the course content.