Transform Your Teaching

How does the continued rise of technology affect how instructors should approach learning? What is a thoughtful usage of technology? In this episode, Rob and Jared chat with Derek Bruff, author of Intentional Tech, about what principles are most relevant six years after his book was released.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes. Your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Your response will remain anonymous.

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• Intentional Tech: Principles to Guide the Use of Educational Technology College Teaching - Derek Bruff 
• Intentional Teaching Podcast - Derek Bruff 
• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL 

Chat with us!

• Connect with us via LinkedIn 
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions 

In this episode, Rob and Jared review “Intentional Tech: Principles to Guide the Use of Educational Technology in College Teaching” by Dr. Derek Bruff. They discuss the key principles of the book and their major takeaways.

Please take this opportunity to fill out our end-of-the-year survey. This survey should take 5-10 minutes. Your responses are anonymous. If you would like to be entered for the Uncommon Sense Teaching drawing, you can share your name and email address at the end of the survey. Your response will remain anonymous.

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• Intentional Tech: Principles to Guide the Use of Educational Technology College Teaching - Derek Bruff
• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

What are the major takeaways from our “Online Teaching Practices” series? In this episode, Rob and Jared reflect on the lessons they learned throughout this series and provide some next steps for educators who want to improve their online teaching.

Lesson 1: Reflective Practice Fuels Everything

Lesson 2: Organization Is an Act of Empathy

Lesson 3: Collaboration—You’re Not on an Island

Lesson 4: Crystal-Clear Communication

Lesson 5: Cultivating Community Online

Lesson 6: Media Matters—More Than You Think

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

How can media enhance an online course? What are the markers of “quality” media in an online course? How can instructors take their media from good to better to best? In this episode, Rob and Jared chat with Jacob Lashuay, the CTL’s instructional media producer, about some practical ways to make high quality media in your courses.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• Best Practices for Webcam Recording -  FOCUS Blog
• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

Can you really create a good sense of community in an online course? What does it look like? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss what community is, the value of community in an online course, and the best way to encourage community among online students.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

How is being clear about content and grading in an online course different from face-to-face? What needs to be emphasized? What should be avoided? Join Rob and Jared as they discuss clarity in online teaching. 

Clarity in an online course can be achieved by avoiding “UNCLEAR” practices:    

• U – Unexplained jargon or acronyms 
• N – Nonspecific instructions or vague prompts 
• C – Complex, run-on sentences 
• L – Lack of examples or concrete models 
• E – Erratic formatting or inconsistent styling 
• A – Assumptions about prior knowledge 
• R – Rushed or delayed feedback  

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!   
View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

How can someone else help you develop better teaching practices? Who should you collaborate with as you design courses? What forms can collaboration take? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss how collaboration can lead to better teaching and learning.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

How can structuring and chunking content and assessments in an online course help both the instructor and the learner? What are some best practices for organizing a course in your school’s learning management system? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss how organization can alleviate barriers and facilitate learning in an online course.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode! 

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

What importance should instructors place on student reflection in their online course? How crucial is modeling self-reflection to your students? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss self-reflection and how it can be placed pre-, mid-, and post-learning in an online course.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions

What are some key aspects of online teaching? What role does self-evaluation play in teaching and learning? In this episode, Rob and Jared begin a new series on online teaching practices and preview the importance of reflecting on your own teaching practices.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions