Today I had the distinct honor of participating in a PBS MediaShift Twitter chat titled “Tools and Platforms for Blended Learning.” Part of the EducationShift (#EdShift) series, the digital discussion was moderated by Katy Culver from the University of Wisconsin, while j-school instructors Steve Fox, Mark Johnson, Rob Darrow and myself fielded questions and discussed some of the pros and cons to teaching “blended” (combination of face-to-face and online) classes. The chat reminded me how any instructor teaching any class can leverage online tools to improve learning.
Strengthening Classroom Time
This may come as a shocker, but I’ve never been a big fan of online-only classes. I love the idea, but looking back on my attempts, I’ve failed or dropped out of every MOOC or online course I’ve taken. Maybe it’s just my personality, and I get distracted too easily. It just hasn’t worked for me. BUT, I am a strong proponent of using online tools in conjunction with face-to-face classroom time. And not just doing the bare minimum, like providing syllabi online or communicating to class via e-mail, though there is obviously merit in doing those things. The value of online tools really lies in strengthening classroom time.
With the consistent and considerable growth of Texas State and many universities across the nation, classroom space is becoming more and more limited. As a result, face-to-face time with my students is becoming more and more valuable. I don’t want to waste classroom time on basic lessons or explanations that could be done via social media or YouTube before lab or lecture. The concept is nothing new; it’s the equivalent of having students read the chapter in the book for homework, so you can have a quality discussion during class time.
After spending much of my summer, along with several colleagues, developing a hybrid version of our core course in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication called The Fundamentals of Digital and Online Media, here are some of my favorite tools for online learning that any instructor can use in any class:
Facebook Groups: We use Facebook groups to post news articles, jobs and internships. It’s a forum for students to ask questions to each other, graduate assistants and myself, and it even allows students from previous semesters to stay connected. If the group is small enough, you can host Facebook chats with the whole class to discuss news items or answer questions.
Google Plus: Yeah, yeah. Crickets. I know it’s quiet. But there are a ton of tools available to anyone with a G+ account. Start a G+ Community with your class. It’s very similar to Facebook Groups, but you can broadcast a Hangout to just that community. I’ve used this function for study sessions and open office hours. Works great, especially with large classes. Also, G+ accounts are connected to YouTube, so you now have a channel for creating your own tutorials or mini-lectures.
Google Calendars: Create calendars to post due dates and lecture topics, so students can be prepared. Any Google calendar can be co-authored with others, so your graduate assistants or teacher’s aids can update it as well. Embed a calendar to your class website, so students can “follow” it on their mobile devices.
Twitter: By far my favorite tool for reinforcing class material. Whether you create a class #hashtag and post news articles or reminders, or create a list for your students to follow, Twitter is great for meeting students “where they’re at.” Some of my colleagues even use Twitter to post quiz hints, for increased incentive for students to read and engage outside of class.
Flipboard: A very fun, interactive and easy tool to use. Besides encouraging my students to use Flipboard as their own news source, it’s also the textbook for my class. I’ve created personalized “magazines” based on articles, videos or web resources, and tweet out the link so students can subscribe.
This is obviously just scratching the surface. The point is, there are a ton of tools out there that can only help you connect with your students and help them engage with material outside the classroom. Most of them are relatively easy to use. They are all free. Yes, it does require time and effort to learn the nuances of each medium, but the ROI is phenomenal. Just making one quick video tutorial can save you from answering the same question again and again via e-mail. Knowing students have read an article you tweeted out allows you class time to discuss it rather than explain it. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve seen students connect the dots on a topic from class because of articles I’ve tweeted them, or the number of resources they’ve found useful and have sent me.
I’m not saying these tools are the be-all, end-all. They are just tools. But I think they are the “new textbook,” a new medium for reaching students where they are. I’m always looking for new tools, so if you have any, let me know!