Sharice Bush

I learned that although it is an online class, just making sure you have detailed written instructions, that may not be enough for all different types of learners.  I also learned that many students taking online courses will need constant motivation to keep up with their work.  I tend to add what I call my "Monday Motivation" to my weekly announcements.  It is where I will add a quote for that week.  Each quote I select is uplifting and is a small reminder that we are in it together.

The main thing that stuck out to me in this section was the extra credit on tests.  One suggestion was to add an extra credit question at the end of a test asking what the student had learned in that particular unit of the course that they weren't tested on.  I think that is an idea and I will be utilizing it in my classes.

It is best to lesson plan ahead but know that in real time, changes may need to be made based on class performance and understanding.  So you need to be flexible and have a backup plan.

I learned about the 10-20-30 rule.  I realize I will need to edit my lecture presentations as well as add different mediums to keep students engaged and reach all students.

Sometimes taking a step back and evaluating the class can help guide the lecture or lesson better.  Being able to see what is working and what isn't in the moment so that changes can be made immediately.

I learned that alternative assessment works best in the online environment because we are able to test the individuals growth over time rather than comparing students with one another.  I plan to incorportate more oral presentations as well as essay questions into my online courses.

I learned that I need to be better when making tests for my students.  It needs to be valid and reliable at all times.  I try to make some tests tricky but it may not be in the best interest of the kids since it can cause the quiz to have ambiguous questions.  

I liked how the text talked about applying diagnostic assessments before starting new activities.  I tend to do this by giving my students quizzes prior to go over new information to gauge how well they already know the information I am about to go over.  This allows me to adjust my lesson plan to either ramp up the learning or tune it down based on what they already know or don't know.

I learned that understanding the assessment tool is just as important as using the assessment tool.  One must know how it works and if it is the best assessment tool for your course/class.  Also knowing your audience/students better so you can utilize the best assessment tool possible.