Karyn Laitis

It's very beneficial-Succinct sound bites. Drop hints for students to spark thoughts & discussion. "Boom"--(mike drop)

There is so many social media options.  My institution had a combiation of a propprietary, closed systemand also FB access so that instructors and students can set up accounts.  It does provide a number of education options. It seems imperative, especially with distance learning.

I'm excited to learn more about expanded use of rubrics and metarubrics for not only course work/learning outcomes but also other evaluations, peer, etc.

Creating rubrics is a dynamic and ongoing process.  There are lots of resources and templates available to create rubrics.

Although designing a course using rubrics may take longer, it will provide a much better learner centered outcome, improve continuity and consistency for instruction.  This is especially true if there is more than one instructor teaching  the same course. 

In designing the course, using rubrics can help the instructor provide clarity for wholistic course goals and specific tasks for learning outcomes.  Provides consistency, continuity and direction while minimizing subjectivity.

I think its good to step back and reassess the components of the course apart from the F2F curriclum.  Start with the end (goals) what the entire learning outcome should be.  Break it down in to the bite-sized components and select the most effect way to deliver/commuicate and assess the student progress.  Allow for student individual learning styles.

Organizing the material is necessary so that there is structure, direction and clear expectations.  And within the organized material there  needs to be an appreciation for the dynamic learning environmet to connect with the learners and allow for personal relevations.

Organization is thekey regardless ofwhether the course is offered synchronous or asynchronous.  It would seem that a effective course would use a hybrid to allow for students some control and have the benefit of the instructor to help motivate and assure progress.

There are many technology tools that are being developed weekly to aid instructors and curriculum developers of Distance and Online curricula.  Itis always defining the learning outcomes and identifying the most effective tools that will not only deliver the content but is also a good fit with instructor effectiveness.