Problem-solving lectures can be effective, especially when they are short and combined with active, collaborative activities. Studies have shown that online learning leads to significant improvements in skills like critical thinking and confidence. To maximize effectiveness, instructors should integrate online lectures with interactive elements, ensure a synchronous online environment where possible, and align all activities with learning goals.
Comment on Albertina Navas's post: Thank for taking the time to share your valuable comments. As Educators it is always an advantage to communicate our experiences and tools that cane be helpful to each. The knowledge share will be an advantage to share with learners/students such as test and quiz revision. As stated in this course "it is best to measure what the students don't know."
I agree with the point about testing for what students have learned, that is important.
Quizzes at the start of class can help refresh and retain information
The course syllabus , is a good road map for the student to understand the expectations from the course and the instructor .
I would like to raise these points, would you add another one?
Technology & Critical Thinking 🧠: Online courses are like onsite courses in their goals, but they rely on technology to deliver content and assess performance. It's crucial to incorporate critical thinking exercises to help students apply knowledge and develop transferable skills for the workforce.
Syllabus & Course Structure 📋: A syllabus is a mandatory "road map" for students, outlining course goals and content. Online syllabi need to include details about required technology. Courses can be structured by Week by Topic or Week by Lesson, with each section having an introduction, learning objectives, content, and a summary.
Lectures & Assignments 📝: Online lectures should guide learners through activities and can be organized by week. Assignments should encourage students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. It's vital to clearly state the purpose and relevance of each assignment to the student's learning.
Discussions and Chats 💬: Online discussions can be asynchronous (like a forum, not in real-time) or synchronous (live chats). Asynchronous allows flexible participation, while synchronous provides real-time interaction for more dynamic discussions.
Evaluation & Feedback ✅: Evaluation methods like quizzes and exams should assess what students have learned and how they can apply it. Quizzes are good for self-checks and confidence-building. Exams contribute to final grades.
Providing Feedback 🗣️: Instructors must provide timely and specific feedback on quizzes and exams. Simply giving a score isn't enough; comments should help students identify where they went wrong and commend them for innovative thinking. This builds confidence and corrects thought processes while the information is still fresh.
Timely feedback is crucial to students' success.
Utilizing quizzes prior to the start of each class can help students retain information. Organization is the key to success in the class, whether it is face-to-face or online.
I learned that allowing students unlimited attempts at quizzes builds their confidence.
Timely feedback on the subject quizzes to keep students engaged and on track is necessary to ensure students are successful in passing the class. Further understanding of the subject matter can be achieved by correcting deviations or misunderstanding of concepts immediately.
Online lectures should also include a roadmap for activities to be completed that are outside of the lecture.
Feedback on students' work is very important for online courses. Immediate feedback is important for students.
Asynchronus learning has the benefit of students to think about the content before answering/responding to posts and do some research if needed -it promotes self initiated learning in many ways
Selecting the appropriate technology to deliver course content is essential. The choice should align with the nature of the material and the learning objectives. Depending on the content, educators may opt for tools such as multimedia resources, online lectures, discussion forums, live chats, exams, quizzes, model answers, and more. Each modality serves a distinct purpose and should be chosen to enhance clarity, engagement, and accessibility.
To elevate the value of a course, it is crucial to integrate critical thinking and connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications. This approach fosters more capable and professional learners—students who not only absorb information but also question, analyze, and seek solutions.
Every course should follow a well-structured logic in its presentation. The content must be readily accessible to students, which gives rise to the concept of the syllabus. A syllabus serves as a comprehensive roadmap: it summarizes the theoretical framework, defines study timelines, and outlines evaluation methods. When thoughtfully designed, it ensures transparency, consistency, and academic rigor throughout the learning experience.
I have learned that multiple quizzes to test there knowledge with unlimited attempts increases the confidence of a student. Giving feedback quickly after the quizes helps the student to see where they need went wrong in their thinking process.
I learned the difference between chats which are used in real-time synchronous versus posted discussions which are asynchronous and communication continues. Asynchronous discussions are optimal as they enhance the student's critical thinking skills. I also learned that examinations should only be taken once and immediate feedback to the student is imperative as the information is fresh in their mind.
The quiz is the key to success especially if they are questions that you would see on you final exam as a&p.
Unlimited quizzes are a great idea because it not only boosts a student's confidence but it focuses on what they do know, rather than what they do not know. This is helpful for them before they take an exam.
Adam Osborne's first "laptop" weighed 24 pounds and had a 5" screen. Seems way too big to be a laptop!
During live lectures, traditional instructor-led conversations (instructor speaks -> students listen and respond) may be better suited for Asynchronous settings. To maximize student participation and comprehension, a live problem-solving lecture might be more productive.
