SCIENCE ROCKS! BLENDED AND ONLINE TIPS, TOOLS, AND STRATEGIES FRANCES KARELS BLINN COLLEGE

COURSE DESIGN Converting from face to face to blended/hybrid class Lectures online, labs in the classroom Converting from face to face to fully online class Prepackaged kits

Online simulations/Virtual Labs SimBio Be A Martian – Virtual Exploration & the Human Robotic Partnership Be A Martian – Virtual Exploration & the Human Robotic Partnership Some may come with your textbook My Lab Mastering Geology Oceanography Biology - Anatomy & Physiology My Math Lab COURSE DESIGN

BUILD YOUR OWN ADVENTURE How to find material online to use for free commons-licensed-material-on-media-sharing-sites/ commons-licensed-material-on-media-sharing-sites/ Citizen Science Projects Zooniverse – Analyze Cancer Data Project BudBurst – Help monitor changes in plants Zooniverse – Classify Galaxies More Zooniverse Projects Scientific American Citizen Science Projects

VIRTUAL LABS / LAB EQUIPMENT HHMI Biointeractive Virtual Labs =71&Itemid=137 =71&Itemid=137

TIPS Course syllabus Be specific about expectations Include online attendance information Include an awesome course calendar Include approximate times for turnaround of grades and/or feedback

TIP - INCLUDE A DETAILED CALENDAR Tuesday, January 27 Evolution of Populations Lab In Class: Evolution of Populations Lab  Print & Bring Lab Instructions to class  Lab Activity At home before next class Chapter 24 What to do at home:  Ch. 24 PowerPoint Notes  Ch. 24 Lecture recording  Ch. 24 Study Questions  Chapter 24 Quiz  Print & Read Lizards Lab Thursday, January 29 Lizards Lab In Class: Lizards Lab  Bring Lizards Lab Instructions to class  Lab Activity At Home before next class Chapter 25What to do at home: Chapter 25  The Day the Mesozoic Died Video  Print & Read Weighing the Evidence Lab  Ch. 25 PowerPoint Notes  Ch. 25 Lecture recording  Ch. 25 Study Questions  Chapter 25 Quiz What is due by 9am Tuesday :  Chapter 24 Quiz  Chapter 25 Quiz

TIPS LMS course Make them read the syllabus before they can access anything else in the course and/or Make them view a course orientation before they can access anything in the course Have regular, frequent due dates, included on your course calendar Choose an organization pattern that works for you, and stick with it for the entire course

TIP - GET ORGANIZED

TOOLS Set up your on your phone so you can read the s wherever you are Encourage students to use their phones to set reminders for class work Make your own FAQs for your classes and post online Reliable, relevant videos

TOOLS Have an introductory discussion so students can get to know you and each other You can use Skype, FaceTime or Blackboard Collaborate to interact with students or guide them through labs Students can use Skype to communicate with each other and/or work together (Teamwork Assessment)

STRATEGIES Weekly deadlines during the week will reduce the amount of “emergency” s you receive on the weekend (Tuesday at noon, Wednesday at 1pm, etc.) Include the technology failure stipulation in your syllabus Give yourself a break – tell students in the syllabus that if they you in the evenings or on weekends, to expect to hear back from you the next day (24 hours) or Monday

STRATEGIES Have students post a picture in their profile so you can “see” what they look like Post technology help line numbers so they know whom to call Know where free WIFI is in your area so you can help students when their internet goes down

STRATEGIES Consult others who teach online and blended courses Frances Karels – Biology