Week 4: Practicum Reflection for Module 1 (part 1)

Image Credit: @eqavet.eu

Welcome to the first week of Module 1. My students are now diving into the basics of Microbiology. Module 1 is a basic introduction to the world of Microbiology. Because the Module last two weeks and just began this week, this will be a shorter reflection about the Module setup and some of the early experiences I had for this week. 

This module introduces the basics of microbiology. This module allows the students to get familiar with basic microbial terminology, microbial classification, and some of the background of the field of microbiology. There is a lot for each student to get acquainted with throughout this module. Students will start to realize the importance of the history of microbiology and how it shapes the field even today. There are some things that I do to help guide students through their initial journey and here are some of those aspects. 

Welcome to the Module

Image Credit: P. Williams 

The first thing that I like to provide students at the beginning of the module is a welcome to the Module announcement. While I have always done this, I have perfected it over the years, applying some tidbits to it while learning from the courses in the online teaching and instructional design program. I make sure to give a simple overview of what the module covers and I provide the due dates that occur within the module. This module is a little funny because they have an extra due date that is not found in other modules. As you recall, we have a required orientation quiz that must be completed by the census date. This census date falls in the middle of the first week of module 1. So... students have an extra date to worry about outside of their Sunday due dates. So, I posted that reminder within this post as well. But, this is a general announcement to get the students ready for the module that is ahead. 

Resources for Learning 

Image Credit: P. Williams 

Within the module are a variety of resources for the students to use to help guide them through the information they are learning.

As stated in previous reflections, students have all the resources provided, a discussion and labs (which I will reflect on in Week 5 reflection) and quizzes for the module. 

Students are provided with a wide range of resources that hopefully help students with different learning styles. I have added variety over the years to try and make sure I am helping the most students I possibly can. I provide students with recorded lectures for each chapter (each are closed captioned), provided Power Points (which are ADA compliant), and provided animations and other videos that students can use if they want to get extra information. I also provide a short recorded MP3 file (which contains a transcript for students with disabilities) that contains a quick review of important information that they can download to their phones or other mobile device and listen to in their car or during short breaks. Students who utilize each resource have provided me with very positive feedback for each type of resource. I keep statistics tracking on in each area of my course and follow how long students use each resource. I find that students who use the resources consistently have the highest grades in the course. Students how do not use the resource or use them inconsistently tend to have lower grades in the course. This, of course, is a perfectly logical trend and something that I expect. 

Image Credit: P. Williams 

One of the newest things I am working on now is adding more connection to the assignments and the learning outcomes. I have been working on Module 1 over the last week to ensure that students know what is expected of them. I started using the "lesson planner" feature of blackboard for the first time last week and I love it. It allows me to connect learning outcomes to different parts of the course. While I am still getting used to it and learning the specifics, I have already applied it to Module 1 resources. 

Image Credit: P. Williams 

The lesson planner allows me to put the Learning objectives in the area where the materials are located. It allows me to put a better description (than the usual description box provided) and break down the instruction to different levels (see image above). The students can then scroll down and find all the resources they need (see image to the left). 

Now, the learning objectives are listed directly above each of the resources areas so the students know what to look for within each resource. I have recorded lectures, notes, study games, and animations provided. I am looking forward to seeing if this helps the students learn the information better. Since this is the first time I have done this, it may take a few weeks to get a good feel for the perceptions of the students. 

Wrap Up

While I have less to reflect on this week due to the timing of the modules and the due dates of the reflections, I have found out a few useful things from my students. I am still receiving messages from students telling me they like the setup of the course. A few have pointed out that it is the best organized course they have been in. That makes me feel great and makes me feel like I succeeded in trying to look at my course organization from the student perspective. This program has allowed me to view online courses from the perspective of both the student and the instructor, so I feel the program has helped guide me in that aspect of development. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I am on the right path. 

I have also been spending a lot of time replying to Voice Thread posts (both for Module 1 and for the introduction posts). I am making sure to respond to each student... which takes time since I have a total of 60 microbiology students (30 in each of the classes I am teaching). I will reflect more on that experience in next weeks reflection because it will be the end of Module 1. 

I am looking forward to continuing to move forward, make improvements, and teaching material as the days go on. Here's to another week. The semester is starting to fly by.