Edsurge

JANUARY 9, 2019

Rethink Discussion Boards We need to rethink discussion boards if they are ever going to be worthwhile. Students tell me that when they encounter a discussion board, they expect to see a long discussion prompt from the instructor with some questions they are supposed to answer in 300 to 400 words.

Instructors 163

Instructors Syllabus Peer Review Students 163

Edsurge

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Advisors can help students establish healthy work habits by sending helpful advice for meeting deadlines before classes begin such as: Plan ahead: Get a “lay of the land” of the course by reading the syllabus. They can check announcements during work breaks or read discussion posts while waiting for a flight at the airport.

Online Learning 189

Online Learning Instructors Coaching Mobile Devices 189

Edsurge

APRIL 30, 2020

On the latest installment of our monthly online discussion forum, EdSurge Live , we explored accessibility in this unusual era of emergency remote teaching. Listen to the conversation below, or read a partial transcript, lightly edited for clarity. Del Tufo: Reading is probably the most prevalent one that I see.

Accessibility 218

Accessibility Disabilities Universal Design Syllabus 218

Edsurge

MAY 26, 2019

It’s a 6-lesson course that gathers coworkers to discuss trending educational topics and philosophies, and our colleagues have found that it has been helpful in helping them succeed in their roles. Read the updates too: parts one and two. Do you have any thoughts on the reading? Class Clowns ” by Jonathan A.

Syllabus 157

Syllabus Education Failure Knowledge 157

Edsurge

JUNE 6, 2024

Try pausing your lecture and start having debates with your students — get into small group discussions,” he says. Encourage students to do annotations — to read with pen or pencil or highlighter. Plenty of the newest AI tools for education are aimed at educators, promising to save them time.

Lecturing 216

Lecturing Education Assignments Syllabus 216

Edsurge

NOVEMBER 23, 2022

But this year, with the arrival of the World Cup, I came prepared, and my students knew it when they saw our sports journalism unit built into the syllabus on the first day. With other current events, I’m quick to brush up on the latest news, curating articles for my students to discuss in class. they exclaimed. En classe?!”

English 201

English Culture Syllabus Writing 201

Ask a Tech Teacher

JUNE 27, 2024

When my friend, Emma, was preparing for finals, she used Trello to organize her study schedule, Quizlet for flashcards, and weekly Google Meet sessions with classmates to discuss tough topics, transforming her test stress into an effective study routine. Maybe even a rewarding one (yes, you read that right).

Exams 158

Exams Study Syllabus Essay 158

Faculty Focus

MARCH 12, 2023

The first day or week of the semester is often referred to as what students call “syllabus week,” because professors typically spend the first day of class reviewing the syllabus—interject a big yawn here. At this point, I still have not reviewed the syllabus with them and instead begin a community building activity.

Student Engagement 116

Student Engagement Activities Syllabus Instructors 116

Faculty Focus

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Instead of thinking about the LMS as simply a repository for course essentials (syllabus, contact information, etc.), Students now expect the use of this tool by their professors for more than simply providing lecture slides or links to readings. Include a non-graded ‘discussion’ area where students can get to know each other.

Syllabus 122

Syllabus Instructors Assignments Faculty Development 122

Faculty Focus

MAY 13, 2025

The instructor typically arrives, distributes a syllabus outlining course policies and expectations, explains assignments and grading criteria, and may include a brief activity or icebreaker. It reframes the syllabus not as a fixed legal document, but as a living agreement shaped by both instructor expertise and student input.

Syllabus 104

Syllabus Instructors Learning Confidentiality 104

Faculty Focus

JANUARY 18, 2024

I was handed a syllabus, a classroom, and students, and left to figure out the rest on my own. In preparing that first course, I focused on what I thought were the essentials of teaching: finalizing the syllabus, picking the readings, and writing the assignments. Encourage student participation.

Teaching 119

Teaching Syllabus Feedback Instructors 119

Faculty Focus

MAY 13, 2025

The instructor typically arrives, distributes a syllabus outlining course policies and expectations, explains assignments and grading criteria, and may include a brief activity or icebreaker. It reframes the syllabus not as a fixed legal document, but as a living agreement shaped by both instructor expertise and student input.

Syllabus 97

Syllabus Instructors Learning Confidentiality 97

Edsurge

OCTOBER 16, 2017

This includes the provision of electronic access to the course syllabus, reading and viewing materials, assessments, the course calendar, grades, course evaluations, discussion boards, and other important course materials. Student support technology supports students’ academic performance.

Technology 155

Technology Education Syllabus Counselling 155

Faculty Focus

AUGUST 20, 2024

We may not have a storefront window to attract attention, but we do have something that students see before the start of the semester that can grab their attention, set the tone, and get them excited about entering the class…your syllabus! Exhibit 2: Thompson’s Barbie themed class syllabus (Spring 2024). Let Them Play! Franklin, D.

Syllabus 111

Syllabus Attention Assignments Activities 111

Faculty Focus

AUGUST 20, 2024

We may not have a storefront window to attract attention, but we do have something that students see before the start of the semester that can grab their attention, set the tone, and get them excited about entering the class…your syllabus! Exhibit 2: Thompson’s Barbie themed class syllabus (Spring 2024). Let Them Play! Franklin, D.

Syllabus 111

Syllabus Attention Assignments Activities 111

Faculty Focus

MARCH 12, 2023

The first day or week of the semester is often referred to as what students call “syllabus week,” because professors typically spend the first day of class reviewing the syllabus—interject a big yawn here. At this point, I still have not reviewed the syllabus with them and instead begin a community building activity.

Student Engagement 98

Student Engagement Activities Syllabus Instructors 98

Faculty Focus

JANUARY 21, 2024

Five strategies to foster sense of belonging Be caring and authentic: Syllabus policies and language, as well as introductory comments on the first day of class, set the tone for an entire term. For example, before an exam, I discuss how and why I would prepare differently for a multiple-choice versus an essay exam.

Syllabus 132

Syllabus Exams Students Motivation 132

Faculty Focus

OCTOBER 13, 2024

Instead of thinking about the LMS as simply a repository for course essentials (syllabus, contact information, etc.), Students now expect the use of this tool by their professors for more than simply providing lecture slides or links to readings. Include a non-graded ‘discussion’ area where students can get to know each other.

Syllabus 105

Syllabus Instructors Assignments Faculty Development 105

Faculty Focus

JANUARY 18, 2024

I was handed a syllabus, a classroom, and students, and left to figure out the rest on my own. In preparing that first course, I focused on what I thought were the essentials of teaching: finalizing the syllabus, picking the readings, and writing the assignments. Encourage student participation.

Teaching 110

Teaching Syllabus Feedback Instructors 110

Faculty Focus

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

If a student wants to discuss accommodations, try to do so during office hours or via email. For instance, when assigned to work in groups during class, students who may have trouble focusing or even hearing the discussion due to the noise level may ask the professor for permission to work in the library or outside.

Disabilities 144

Disabilities Exams Lecturing Education 144

Faculty Focus

AUGUST 13, 2024

As the lazy days of summer start to dwindle, it’s time to trade in beach reads for textbooks and flip-flops for sensible shoes. As generative AI evolves rapidly, it is essential to explore and discuss its impact on teaching and learning for both faculty and students. But fear not!

Syllabus 119

Syllabus Assignments Feedback Teaching Assistants 119

Faculty Focus

AUGUST 13, 2024

As the lazy days of summer start to dwindle, it’s time to trade in beach reads for textbooks and flip-flops for sensible shoes. As generative AI evolves rapidly, it is essential to explore and discuss its impact on teaching and learning for both faculty and students. But fear not!

Syllabus 111

Syllabus Assignments Feedback Teaching Assistants 111

Faculty Focus

JUNE 25, 2023

Next, I drafted a one-page syllabus (Figure 1) that included my contact information, a course description, student learning outcomes, those same discovery questions (above), recommended texts, a preliminary course schedule, and an abbreviated outline of the course content. What could they contribute to their own success? for “Students are.”

Coaching 105

Coaching Syllabus Confidentiality Assignments 105

Faculty Focus

OCTOBER 1, 2024

Historically, I start the semester by walking through the syllabus, our canvas site, and previewing the course topics. Building Excitement The initial part of the first day of class activity requires students read an earnings announcement for a major retailer, in this case Target. So, what exactly does the new day one look like?

Activities 107

Activities Syllabus Learning Knowledge 107

Faculty Focus

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

I add the element of having them discuss their individual observations with a partner. These questions draw from information on the syllabus (which they are provided with the week before we meet) as well as general trivia like what’s Netflix’s most watched series, what is the most desired corporate stock, etc. References Johnson, D.

Exams 116

Exams Syllabus Group work Assignments 116

Faculty Focus

JUNE 25, 2023

Next, I drafted a one-page syllabus (Figure 1) that included my contact information, a course description, student learning outcomes, those same discovery questions (above), recommended texts, a preliminary course schedule, and an abbreviated outline of the course content. What could they contribute to their own success? for “Students are.”

Coaching 98

Coaching Syllabus Confidentiality Assignments 98

Faculty Focus

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

I add the element of having them discuss their individual observations with a partner. These questions draw from information on the syllabus (which they are provided with the week before we meet) as well as general trivia like what’s Netflix’s most watched series, what is the most desired corporate stock, etc. References Johnson, D.

Exams 111

Exams Syllabus Group work Assignments 111

Scholarly Teacher

NOVEMBER 20, 2024

We share background about the student-faculty partnership program, define linguistic implicit biases, provide examples of how these biases manifest, offer recommendations for how to challenge them, and invite a dialogue through discussion questions. What does the language in the syllabus/assignment assume about students (e.g.,

Teaching 98

Teaching Instructors English Language 98

Faculty Focus

OCTOBER 6, 2022

I typically don’t describe the idea in the syllabus. The follow-up that returns to an important point: “For the past few classes we’ve discussed how Shakespeare often employs double plot structure in his plays. What examples would you give from our readings or from pop culture or media sources? Why or why not?

Ethics 96

Ethics Minute Papers Syllabus Course Evaluations 96

Faculty Focus

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

They can access the material on their own schedule, write discussion postings at their leisure and pace, and review material as many times as they need to understand it. This does not mean that the online instructor must remain chained to their computer, waiting for the next discussion posting or email.

Instructors 101

Instructors Communication Syllabus Discussions 101

Faculty Focus

JUNE 18, 2023

To offset students’ feelings of being “the only one” and to help develop feelings of connection, instructors in online courses may make use of strategies such as personal online introductions by faculty and students, discussion assignments, group projects, occasional video lectures, and Zoom office hours. Where is this going?”

Instructors 105

Instructors Syllabus Assignments Feedback 105

Faculty Focus

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024

Broadening Student Communication Before using an OER textbook, students rarely visited me to inform me they did not understand the reading. Students leave our discussion with a greater understanding of the concepts and now are more comfortable approaching me in the future with any question.

Textbooks 115

Textbooks Syllabus Instructors Peer Review 115

Faculty Focus

OCTOBER 1, 2024

Historically, I start the semester by walking through the syllabus, our canvas site, and previewing the course topics. Building Excitement The initial part of the first day of class activity requires students read an earnings announcement for a major retailer, in this case Target. So, what exactly does the new day one look like?

Activities 95

Activities Syllabus Learning Knowledge 95

Edsurge

JULY 7, 2022

They want to read and write and think. The syllabus is structured to inspire confidence and courage. During the semester, students read “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,” “The Secret Life of Bees” and “They Say/I Say.” You don’t want to read 30 articles,” the professor says, “you want to read seven.”

Students 178

Students Art Essay Interdisciplinary 178

Faculty Focus

JULY 27, 2023

They provide a quick way to access a webpage that could be the syllabus, a poll, a list of resources, or a shared online space for a brainstorming activity. They are posted on a shared digital board such as Padlet, a Google doc, or Jamboard that everyone can contribute to and read. The entry ticket asks students to answer a question.

Student Engagement 98

Student Engagement Syllabus Students Lecturing 98

Faculty Focus

JANUARY 21, 2024

Five strategies to foster sense of belonging Be caring and authentic: Syllabus policies and language, as well as introductory comments on the first day of class, set the tone for an entire term. For example, before an exam, I discuss how and why I would prepare differently for a multiple-choice versus an essay exam.

Syllabus 96

Syllabus Exams Students Motivation 96

Faculty Focus

MARCH 7, 2024

As a Google Docs rookie, none of the articles I read told me exactly how to track this process. First, I told students via my syllabus that if I received a report saying a paper had AI content, they could be considered to be cheating if they could not provide proof of authorship.

Academic Integrity 116

Academic Integrity Essay Plagiarism History 116