Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

I have found rubrics to be very beneficial in the classroom. Although they are indeed time consuming to create, the outcomes are well worth it. I find they really help the students better understand what is expected of them. It also helps me when grading to ensure I am fair as well as provide appropriate and benefical feedback.

Discussion Comment

Diagnostic Assessments

I love to use diagnostic assessments periodically throughout my classes to assess the students prior knowledge of a given topic we are about to cover. I tell the students these are not included in their grade, but just help me know what I need to focus on when teaching them. I then like to give the same assessment again at the end so they can compare where they were to where they are. Students are often quite amazed at how much they really learned when they compare the two assessments!!

Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning

In a perfect online teaching environment, a combination of synchronous vs asynchronous would be ideal. However, most students choose the online education avenue because they want the flexibility to attend around their schedules. So often times achieving this can be a challenge. The school I teach for does provide avenues for both types of learning. Weekly live conference/web sessions are held. Students have the option to attend however it is not required if their schedules do not accommodate. Students who do attend get a lot out of these sessions though as it is such a great venue to connect on… >>>

Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

Technology in the Online Classroom

The school in which I teach for uses a mixture of technology to help ensure students have a well rounded teaching environment. I do find that sometimes students who have not been in the online setting before can be overwhelmed by the technology. Does anyone have suggestions on how to overcome this?

Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

How to Respond

As the reading materials in this section indicated, the instructor should refrain from giving the answers to the discussions early on. If the instructor responses indicate right and wrong responses, other students may then be more apt to respond based on what the instructor has indicated. Typically I will open the discussion with some additional places the students can research the topic (websites, reading material etc). Then I will engage them by asking additional questions. I try not to give away the answer with my questions, but encourage them to think a little deeper.

Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

Provide Examples

I think the best way to encourage students to communicate effectively is to lead by example. I give them numerous examples at the beginning of class to show them what is expected. Also, when grading, I explain better ways in which something could have been worded and why.

Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

Challenges of Discussion Threads

As much as I think the discussion threads are a wonderful means for all to communication within the online class setting, I also feel they pose a lot of challenges. As the instructor, I have often find it difficult to engage the students in a conversation. I find a lot of learners come in to the discussion, post what they are required for the week then never return. In an effort to deter this type of behavior, I now include in my class policies that I may ask questions in response to their discussion posts. They should respond to these… >>>

Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

Rubrics

I have found rubrics to be extremely helpful in my online classes. Not only does it provide students with clear cut guidelines on what is expected of them, it keeps me on track with grading consistently as well. Thus when I communicate back to my students as to why they received a certain grade, I can do that more clearly and refer them back to the rubric.

Ellen Risotti-Hinkle

Discussion Comment

Webex

I love to use the Cisco Webex tool that the school I teach at offers. This is a great way to communicate with my entire class. Not only does it provide a personal atmosphere with phone line conversation, visuals are provided as well. I feel it gives the students a great environment for learning and connecting with me as well as their classmates.