FSI Conference Part 2

I’m continuing my description of Spring workshops and conferences I attended.  In this post, I describe the most interesting sessions I attended at the FSI Conference at the University of Illinois.  Check out my previous post about the keynote presentations at this conference and about the presentation my colleague and I presented.

Laurie M. Erickson “Critical Thinking for Beginners”

Laurie M. Erickson, from the Blitstein Institute of the Hebrew Theological College, described an assignment in a first-semester Biology course that promotes critical thinking.  The assignment, called “Good Science or Bad Science?,” asks students to find two scientific reports (journal or magazine articles, websites, even social media posts) on a science or medical topic related to the course, such as fad diets, diabetes, medical treatments, etc.  Students answer four questions to evaluate the merit of each report, and they decide if the report is legitimate.  Students evaluate scientific merit by identifying the following:

• Credibility of source.
• How the study was conducted.
• Sample size.
• Source of funding.

Afterwards, students also compare the two studies, and they determine which one is more effective.  Students create a PowerPoint and give a short oral presentation to the class.

According to Erickson, the project helps students learn search skills, deeper reading, a better understanding of the scientific method, how to recognize bias, an understanding of how funding can influence conclusions, analytical and evaluation skills, and oral presentation skills.  Click here to see Erickson’s full presentation.

ATLAS and CITL Teams at the University of Illinois
“Ensuring Online Course Quality Over Time”

This session, hosted by instructional designers and IT staff from the Applied Technologies for Learning in the Arts & Sciences and the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning at the University of Illinois, described effective practices for keeping online courses “fresh” and up-to-date.  Strategies included:

• Understanding when small changes in online courses are necessary:  instructor change, updating information, a change in the best practice for teaching that content, integrating a new outside resource, changing a textbook, tech tool update, etc.
• Designing for longevity:  using modular design, generic terms, and weekly due dates.  For example, calling an assignment “Unit 1 Assignment” rather than “Grapes of Wrath Essay” – this allows the writing prompt to change without needing to change assignment titles and descriptions.  Similarly, using terms such as “Friday of Week One” rather than “Aug. 19, 2019” so you don’t have to change the wording of the due date each semester.
• Solicit feedback (from students and faculty) to make improvements.
• Revise items to add quality.  Don’t change content simply to change it, and certainly don’t lessen quality.
• Use templates to promote similar experiences for students, and maintain similar back-end organization for instructors.

Feedback:  Does your online program use these strategies?  What strategies do you use to keep online courses “fresh” and up-to-date?  Post a comment below, or use the Contact link on the menu bar to share your strategies.

Vickie S. Cook
“Engaging Generation Z: How Do We Engage the Digital Generation”

Vickie S. Cook, Executive Director of the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Services at the University of Illinois at Springfield, described classroom engagement strategies, curricular approaches, technology uses, and communication expectations of Generation Z students.

Strategies include incorporating video and other media, using short reading assignments, presenting information through info graphics, and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement.  The presentation also described many trends and statistics about Gen Z students.  Click here for the full presentation, and click here for Dr. Cook’s Google Sites webpage.

Feedback:  Have you attended or presented at any conferences or workshops lately?  Use the Contact link above to share your experience.  If you recently presented, let me know, and you can be featured as a guest blogger.