Modification of Traditional Classroom Activities | Origin: EL113
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Active Learning in an Online Environment --> Modification of Traditional Classroom Activities
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Active learning might look different than teacher-centered learning, but it is still composed of the same parts- like content, learning, and assessments. It might just look slightly different. For example, in an active learning environment, you might give students a project rather than a multiple-choice test, but they might cover the same topics.
Active learning can be labor-intensive, so letting the students know ahead of time to bring balance is key. Determining the technology tools the online instructor may use to enhance active learning can take some effort and thought about the course. Tools that support collaboration and project learning include wikis, blogs, discussion boards, and audio/video tools.
I like the perspective that active learning techniques should not be an experiment; however, you have to be brave and try something new and then analyze how it went and if it can be executed again
Rubrics are very convenient and helpful for grading. Reverse teaching is quite effective
It's important to remember that not every student learns the same.
Rubrics give clear expectations
Using rubrics help student know what is expected. This also gives real time feed back on something they turned in so they know what to improve on. It is not helpful to say, "Try harder for an A", there is no actionable items the student can work on. Even saying nice job or good point on their contributions to conversations can help them with their confidence in the class.
Traditional classroom activities can be effective by adapting to different learning style of the student and also grading by the rubric can help instructors very much!
The module encourages us to introduce active learning opportunities and to use rubrics for grading consistency and clarity.
Rubrics play a huge role in making active learning assessments meaningful because they give students a clear picture of what quality looks like before they ever begin the task. When students know exactly how their reasoning, collaboration, problem‑solving, or application of concepts will be evaluated, they participate with more confidence and purpose. A rubric also keeps the focus on higher‑order thinking rather than just task completion, which aligns perfectly with the goals of active learning. For instructors, rubrics create consistency and make feedback more targeted and actionable. They help turn active learning activities into transparent, fair, and growth‑oriented assessments that support deeper understanding.
I really liked Elizabeth's Inspirational Quotes!
I think Rubrics standardize the expectations and attempt to take the subjectivity out of the grading. Students can follow clear guidelines, even though, in my experience, the instructor will have to review the Rubric in class.
Flipped Classrooms have research that intimates that its approach may yield the best results as far as student success and competency with the material. The concept does require more out of the box thinking from instructors, but it is worth the effort and time as the students seem to connect with the process better.
Rubrics are important because they give clear expectations, guide grading, ensure fairness, improve feedback, and help students understand how to succeed and meet learning goals.
This was helpful as I have heard the terms thrown around: flipped classroom, rubric, etc. Finally an explanation and justification. I much more readily accept it now since I have to understand the 'why' of what I am doing, not just told to do it that way.
This module helped me understand that modifying traditional classroom activities for an online environment is not about simply transferring what we do face-to-face into a digital format—it requires intentional redesign to maintain engagement and promote active learning. Traditional methods like lectures, group discussions, and in-class activities need to be adapted using technology in ways that still encourage participation, interaction, and critical thinking.
One key takeaway is that tools like rubrics, structured discussions, and clear expectations become even more important online. Rubrics not only help instructors assess learning consistently, but they also guide students in understanding what is expected of them and how to engage meaningfully in activities .
I also learned that strategies like the flipped classroom, reflective learning, and interactive assignments can be effectively adapted to online settings. For example, instead of a live lecture, students can review materials ahead of time and then use discussion boards or virtual sessions to apply concepts, ask questions, and collaborate. This shift allows students to take a more active role in their learning rather than passively receiving information.
Another important point is that while these modifications can require more preparation time for instructors, the payoff is significant. Students tend to develop stronger critical thinking skills and take more ownership of their learning. However, it’s also important to be mindful of challenges such as technology limitations and student engagement, and to provide clear structure and support.
Going forward, I plan to:
Use rubrics and clear guidelines to support student understanding and engagement
Incorporate flipped and reflective activities to encourage deeper learning
Use online tools (discussion boards, virtual presentations, collaborative platforms) to replace traditional in-class activities
Be flexible and provide alternative ways for students to participate
Overall, this module reinforced that effective online teaching requires thoughtful adaptation, not just replication. When done well, modified activities can actually enhance learning and make it more interactive and meaningful than traditional approaches.
using a rubric will keep the class engaged.
In order to keep the grading fair an instructor must use a rubric.
the increased time it takes to prep for a class w active learning pays off in the students critical thinking of the topic
Active learning does take a lot of prep time for teachers. However, the payoff is the students taking a more active role in their learning and education.
I've regularly used the flipped classroom and reflective learning, but I want to look into more innovative techniques. I like the idea of finding defibrillators in the immediate area. There are so many new tools being created every day that can be super useful in the classroom.
