The Writing Program’s set of Essential Lessons represent key elements of our classes; this page contains suggestions and tools for remote (synchronous and asynchronous) implementation of the suggested activities in the Essential Lessons.
Viewing videos
Synchronous Implementation
- Videos can be viewed together as a class synchronously, with the instructor sharing their screen (and optimizing screen sharing for better audio and video quality). There may be follow-up discussion of the videos as a whole class or in break-out rooms.
- The Flipped Learning Module (FLM) videos may be completed during class synchronously. The instructor may ask students to view the videos individually or in small breakout rooms followed by the completion of the online activities and whole-class discussion. Completing the FLMs during class synchronously in a remote class, allows for better collaboration among peers.
Asynchronous Implementation
- Recommended videos can be assigned as homework. In order to ensure full engagement, students may also be asked to respond to a class discussion board (e.g. Blackboard or Padlet) with comments or questions.
- Flipped Learning Modules (FLMs) may all be assigned as homework. Each FLM has a digital implementation of the online and in-class activities.
Recommended Tools
- Zoom’s Screensharing feature
- Padlet: Provides the ability to run interactive discussion boards as a follow-up to watching videos
- BlackBoard Discussion Board
- Pronto or Slack (using specific channels for each discussion topic): Allows for whole-class general discussion, peer-to-peer communication, and topic-specific discussion. Slack is mostly a communication tool, but may be used for online discussion boards.
Making Webpages Interactive & Managing Online Annotations
Synchronous Implementation
- Webpages can be made interactive to highlight important aspects of a page, or ask students to engage in online discussions by posting answers/opinions to questions raised by the instructor on the actual website. Instructors may also choose to use programs that allow for annotation of text/websites.
Asynchronous Implementation
- There are a variety of platforms that allow for making web pages/annotations interactive. The instructor may ask students to engage in an asynchronous online discussion on the website itself.
Recommended Tools & Resources
- Insertlearning: Provides added features to any web page: annotation, highlights, Q&As and class discussion questions (This is a non-BU supported tool).
- Hypothes.is: Provides the ability to annotate a web page individually or collaboratively (This is a non-BU supported tool).
- Perusall: Blackboard integration available, and can function as its own stand-alone Learning Management System (LMS). Some instructors use it within their Blackboard site because it allows for some additional tools, like annotations. See this video on Social Annotation on Perusall. (Note: Although this tool integrates in Blackboard, it is a non-BU supported tool).
Sharing Student Presentations
Synchronous Implementation
The most common way presentations are done in synchronous live sessions is when students present by sharing their screen with the entire class. The instructor needs to ensure they have given screen sharing privileges to students in advance. There are also alternative ways to implement synchronous presentations, some of which are below:
- Presentations may also be done synchronously in break-out rooms. Depending on the length and nature of the presentations, the instructor may set up a gallery walk of the presentations by creating a few break-out rooms on Zoom, and having students rotate across rooms to listen to multiple presentations. (Please note: The instructor and students need to have an updated Zoom for this function).
- Student groups may also record their presentation in small break-out rooms, and share their recorded presentation with the instructor and the class on the course Blackboard site. (Please note: The instructor would need to give students recording privileges. It is possible on Zoom to give certain students recording privileges).
Asynchronous Implementation
Presentations may be recorded by students outside of class, with voice-over narration or video presentations. Presentations may then be uploaded on BlackBoard and/or on Mymedia for the students to view asynchronously.
**If students are attending class remotely from their hometowns, depending on the topic of their presentation, they may be encouraged to use actual video footage to include in their presentations.
Recommended Tools & Resources
Presentation Tools
- PowerPoint: Offered free through BU IT to current BU faculty and Students (Voice-over narration is possible)
- Keynote: Available on all Apple computers at no cost (Voice-over narration is possible)
- Prezi: Provides the ability to create engaging presentations
- Google Slides: Allows for creation of slides in a simultaneous collaborative environment (recommended for team presentations, and voice-over narration is possible)
- Remote Presentation Tools & Resources: Check out this Teaching Writing site page for more information on tools for presentations, and giving feedback on presentations.
Video recording/Screencasting Programs
- Zoom: Presentations may be recorded by individuals or teams on Zoom by using the ‘record’ feature. For an overview of Zoom, visit the Teaching Writing site’s Zoom tutorials or BU’s IS&T resources on Zoom.
- Kaltura: Provides the ability to record videos and share on the class BlackBoard site.
- Prezi Video: Provides the ability to record videos while showing slides in an engaging format.
- Production and Post-production Tools: Check out this Teaching Writing site page for more information on options for video recording and screencasting programs.
Checking for Students' Knowledge
Synchronous Implementation
There may be instances where the instructor would want to check for students’ prior knowledge or poll the students during class. Zoom provides a poll option, which can be created prior or during a session. Other polling programs can also be used to gauge students’ understanding of the content. Polls do not need to be multiple choice questions. Many polling programs offer word clouds, sentence submissions etc. as well.
Asynchronous Implementation
Checking for students’ prior knowledge can be done asynchronously on many platforms as well. Platforms such as Polleverywhere allow for asynchronous submissions of entries as long as the poll remains active on the instructor’s end.
Recommended Tools & Resources
- Zoom Polls: The quickest way to poll students during a Zoom session is by using the Zoom polling tool. If you have a yes/no question, you may also use the quick feedback option on Zoom as well. Checkout the Center for Teaching & Learning Pedagogical Guide to Zoom Part 2 on working with Zoom polls.
- Polleverywhere: Provides polling options with a variety of question formats (word cloud, sentence submission, prioritization, etc.).
- Padlet: Provides the ability to run interactive discussion boards, and check for students’ knowledge.
- BlackBoard Discussion Board