MOOC Reflections

Posted on April 24, 2013 by admin

My goal is to offer a MOOC in the fall.  To that end, I recently signed up as a student in several MOOCs.  As most of you know, a MOOC is a moocmassive open online class course.  Many are free, although they may include a certificate for the participate upon completion, usually with a fee.  MOOCs cover a variety of subjects and include both formal and informal education.  The two I experienced were in the areas of biology and science education.  I was extremely excited about the biology Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Posts, MOOCs | 2 Comments

XLi Podcast Session

Posted on March 23, 2013 by admin

Here’s a link to the Podcast I did to introduce a session titled Using Podcasts and Webinars to Create an Active Learning Classroom.  The session was well-received, but I Continue reading →

Posted in Presentation Materials | 1 Comment

Peer Editing…Reading Comprehension

Posted on March 16, 2013 by admin

Heather and I continue our discussion about Peer Editing.  In this conversation, the topic of reading comprehension is explored.

Heather: One thing other lab instructor in my department and I are beginning to wonder is if our students comprehend what they are reading.  Many in the same cohort I had last fall Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Student Management | 6 Comments

On Peer Editing…

Posted on March 15, 2013 by admin

The following is part of an ongoing collegial conversation I’ve been having with Heather, a 2012 graduate student in the MSSE Program.  She has spent 18 years as a microbiology laboratory instructor at a Canadian university, but prior to that Continue reading →

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The Power of the Voice

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin

I am in the section of my classroom research course where the assignment for students is to give me a phone call to discuss their ideas for a classroom project.  I find this is an extremely valuable assignment.  The previous 6-7 Continue reading →

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K-12 Science Framework Practices

Posted on February 6, 2013 by admin

Recently I had the opportunity to work with a group of teachers who are part of the MPRES Grant in Montana to empower Capacity Builders/Trainers to assist with the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards that are due to be released in Continue reading →

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Details, Details, Details

Posted on January 18, 2013 by admin

As I’m tweaking the courses for the new semester, I’m struck once again about the need to attend to details in online courses.  Although I use the same course content that I copy from one semester to the next, I need to force myself to go through each page of the course to be certain that everything is correct.  I choose not to put dates on the weeks of the Continue reading →

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About Screencasting

Posted on January 2, 2013 by admin

As I prepare for a new semester of online courses, I find myself reviewing, rethinking and recreating many of the screencasts or podcasts I use in my courses.  For an example of one of my screencasts on the 5 E learning cycle model, check this out. You’ll notice that it Continue reading →

Posted in Blog Posts, Web 2.0 Tools | 2 Comments

Reflections on Another Online Semester Completed

Posted on December 18, 2012 by admin

By my rough estimate, after 16 years of online instruction, I have taught over 150 classes.  As I reflect on the end of another semester, I’m struck by the way in which online teaching has changed since I first began.  First is the ease of access to an Continue reading →

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Phoenix NSTA Online Teaching and Learning Session

Posted on December 8, 2012 by admin

  I appreciate the participants who attended the Online Teaching and Learning Session at the Phoenix NSTA Regional conference. The questions asked and resulting discussion was rich and informative.  Some Continue reading →

Posted in Presentation Materials | 1 Comment