Best Practices for Distance Learning_Instructor Tips NTLC

Consider whether and how to discuss the cause of the Covid-19 disruption to your course. Possibly prepare for the conversation by reviewing the CTE resource Teaching after Hurricane Harvey and Teaching in Times of Crisis from the Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. Practice self-care because transitioning to online teaching requires a balancing act that can be stressful and necessitate more emotional labor than usual. Allow flexibility in course planning, be transparent with students, and expect that mistakes and hiccups will happen! The NTLC is available to problem-solve with you. Assign individual and team grades. Give both individual and team grades for group assignments. Giving individual grades requires a clear expectation for individual contributions and it increases accountability. Develop a peer feedback system. Develop a template for gathering peer feedback and share it with students prior to the project. Peer evaluations are beneficial because they encourage collaboration among students, revealing those who do not participate fully while recognizing those who do. Monitor online group space. Participate by occasionally being “present” within the virtual space, and consistently offer advice and feedback as the team progresses through a project. This is an advantage for students struggling to navigate the team site.

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