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1/14 I asked my students and majors what worked/didn’t this Fall semester and got some wonderful tips and advice (specific to Zoom History classes). Not everything is feasible, but I thought it helpful to share what our students are thinking and experiencing. @GUHistory
2/14 To build community in classroom: 1. Have students create group chat; 2. Start class early and stay after it ends to talk to students [as one does with in-person teaching]; 3. Have small break-out groups first week with ice-breakers to get to know each other; 4. Movie nights.
3/14. Class Structure: 1. Use break-out rooms but make sure there is structure. Give students a question to answer, a google doc to work on together, have them present back to the whole class; don’t just send them out to “discuss.”
4/14 Class Structure: 2. Break up lectures with polls, questions, discussion; stop sharing screen and don’t talk for full 50/60/75 minutes. 3. Don’t cold-call on students [I think this can be used judiciously, especially for those with cameras off. But ask open-ended questions].
5/14 Assignments: 1. Have everything due same day of week to help keep track; 2. Don’t change assignment dates last minute; 3. Have assignments clearly laid out on the syllabus at the beginning of the semester so students can plan and manage their time;
6/14 Assignments: 4. Be more lenient with due dates; 5. Keep assignments in the same section on Canvas and make sure your Canvas page is organized logically; 6. Don’t have heavy reading or assignments always due M/T; students need some weekend downtime;
7/14 Assignments: 7. Don’t have anything due on weekends [this should be a no-brainer!]; 8. Limit discussion board posts, which can overwhelm over the semester; use VoiceThread instead; 9. Lighter reading load, less assignments; 10. Ensure all readings digitally available.
9/14. Dealing with Zoom Fatigue: 1. Replace synchronous class with asynchronous work; such as VoiceThread Project, exploring something outside, doing an oral interview of someone; 2. Do NOT replace class with recorded lecture or add recorded lecture on top of regular class time;
10/14 Dealing with Zoom Fatigue: 3. Find assignments not screen-relate [see above]; podcasts are a very popular option. 4. Just cancel class every now and then [Seriously, this is something that benefits everyone, especially since Georgetown has eliminated most breaks in Spring];
11/14 Dealing with Zoom Fatigue: 5. Assign inexpensive books that students can buy rather than always reading pdfs [though don’t require purchase]; 6. Have one day every couple of classes that students can choose to have cameras off if they need a break.
12/14. Technology-related: 1. Don’t record discussions, which inhibits free expression [though hard for other time zones]; 2. Be aware/discuss Zoom privacy issues; 3. Promise not to look at analytics showing when/how long they’re on Zoom/Canvas. [Don’t be Big Brother].
13/14. What has NOT worked this semester: 1. Assigning more reading in hopes that it will ensure coverage of material and make up for engagement in lieu of in-person interaction;
14/14 What has NOT worked: 2. Professors who pretend this is a normal semester and keep things "business as usual." One must acknowledge stress and anxiety we are experiencing and not expect students to function at their optimal capacity during a global pandemic. [Amen to that]
