Click here to view the embedded video.

A discussion of the video by its creators: http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=188

She and Theresa Fish like to “hide”  information in quiz question feedback areas that, ultimately, result in extra credit points for the students.  Students learn to check the feedback areas in order to earn the points and (BONUS!) read the instructor feedback, as well—which of course was the intention of the act in the first place.

The book I was browsing through today is titled “The Online Learning Idea Book”.  The author, Patti Shank, recommends hiding “interesting facts about the content in unexpected places or hide answers in the text”.  Keeping our students interested and on their toes can be a challenge.  Incorporating something like this that is out of the ordinary can be fun — as long as we’re only surprising students and not frustrating them in the process!

One quick and easy way to surprise students is to include their first name in the news area (or anywhere else that accepts HTML code in the course).  When typing your information do the following:  {firstname} and your students will see their first name in the text.  My students get a kick out of this — it catches them off guard and personalizes things just a bit!

Online Course Peer Review Rubric standard I.5 states: The self-introductions by the instructor and student mentor (if utilized) are available and appropriate.

Ideally, an instructor’s introduction will go beyond the essentials which might include the instructor’s name, title, field of expertise, and contact information. Including information such as past experiences with teaching online, personal teaching philosophies, hobbies, and so on can help to create a sense of connection between the instructor and the students. Building that connection can help to put nervous students at ease, as they may feel more comfortable asking course-related questions of both the instructor and fellow classmates.

• Welcome students to your class in the homepage news area.  Specifically tell them what they should do first upon entering your class.  Include in your message how they can contact you.
• Include an Ask the Instructor/Ask the Class forum on the discussion board.  Encourage students to ask class-related questions there instead of via email.  Other students will benefit from the questions and responses.
• Remind students to read the syllabus and other important course information carefully.
• Consider putting a photo of the required textbook (or other materials) in the news area.
• Encourage (or require) students to introduce themselves to one another in the discussion area.  Introduce yourself, too!
• Remember to include the course description and outcomes, word-for-word, from the official course outline on your syllabus.  Peggy Gustofson has all official course outlines available online and will email them to faculty, upon request.
  

Have a great semester — and remember to check in weekly for tips and online peer review updates!