Week 14: Ending Module 6

Image Credit: N. Stohlman 

Wow... I am writing a post for week 14 of this practicum. I cannot believe there is only one last reflection post I need to make after this one. Time flies so fast and I had to go back and look at some of my earlier reflections just to get a since of where I am. Hopefully that is a normal feeling.

So far, in this online microbiology course, we are in Module 6, week 2. This translates to the 12th week of the semester. This week has been pretty standard with regards to instruction. My students just had a short break for the Easter Holiday and returned on Tuesday to continue forward. I think it was a much needed break for some and catch-up time for others.

What am I Doing This Week? Mentally Preparing for the Finals!!!

Image Credit: @OdasseyOnline

This week is pretty standard with the exception that the final exam is coming. We are preparing for the big exam and the culminating experience for the students in the class. It is important that the students work through module 6 and module 7 at a steady pace, because the end comes so quickly. I think this is the most stressful time for instructors and students. So, some of my time this week has been to start "mentally preparing" students for the final. I have an announcement going up on Friday (after this blog is published) about expectations of the final exam and what the students need to do to prepare for it. The final exam is housed in module 7, but I like to start getting the students prepared during module 6. I find this helps most students, but I will acknowledge it does stress some students out. I find it hard to balance between preparing and scaring.

In this online course, students have one main final and a lab practical (the culminating experience). So, basically, it is two big tests in the last module. I try and help the students out by not presenting too much new material. In the past, I had three chapters of new material plus the finals. I have worked it out this semester to have only one chapter of new material. Students seems to like this. But... I am not sure that they realize that I cut it down from previous semesters.. they just know it is less chapters to learn than the previous modules in the course. They are very happy about that.

The downside to having less new material is that earlier modules have more material in them. This can still be frustrating to some students. Haveing 4-5 chapters every two weeks can be frustrating. I had to make a choice. I cannot cut material from the course, I can only arrange it. So, I choose to weight the material heavier in module 2-6 and lighten the load in modules 1 and 7. I lightened module one to help the students ease in to the course and lightened module 7 to ease in to the final. I am looking forward to seeing if this helps students on the final exams in the class. Unfortunately, this practicum will be over before my students take the final and finish the course, so, I will not be able to report the results in this practicum.

I will be making more frequent announcements from this Friday on to the end of the course. They vary from encouragement to strict statements about deadlines and policies. I try to balance out the range of announcements, but I find it is essential to discuss both with the students. The more "harsh" announcements are about the structure, timing, and proctoring aspects of the final. While the students have lots or written instructions in the course, the syllabus, and on the orientation quiz, I still like to make sure the instructions are very clear. As you know, I have a no late work policy in the course. Even so, I reiterate that there is no acceptable reason to miss the final exam. I make it clear that sickness and technology issues are no excuse and encourage the students to take the exam as early as possible to avoid any last minute issues. Most students take that warning and get it done several days early, but some risk it and start taking the test with minutes to spare. I think it is important to constantly remind students the steps and procedures they need to take and be aware of as the final approaches. I know my words sound harsh, but I have learned that more heartache occurs if it is not presented, in detail, ahead of time.

What Else am I doing? Finishing My Extra Goal!!!

Update to Module 7 Learning Outcomes
Image Credit: P. Williams

So, for this practicum, I chose to setup and teach this online microbiology course. I actually have two courses that started with a total of 60 students. I am happy to say that I still have 57 of them at this point in time. The drop deadline has passed, so that number should stay the same. On top of that, I wanted to challenge myself even more and add some course revisions. As you know from previous reflections that task was to better integrate the learning outcomes into each module. I finally finished that task this week and I am so thrilled. I will be writing about that accomplishment in the last reflection next week, but I will say, I am so happy and proud of myself. I really pushed and challenged myself to put in lots of time and effort into this practicum and use it to better the courses I teach... and... I feel like I have really done that.

Other Things Going On

Module 6 Voice Thread Discussion
Image Credit: P. Williams 

As always, the general day-to-day tasks need to be completed. There is no getting behind on those tasks. Responding to 57 students (once was 60) on a day-to-day basis is challenging. There is no way to get behind. So, I am constantly making posts, checking in on students, and working to make sure the students have everything they need. 

Another big aspect is responding to students in the discussion forums (using VoiceThread). That is a daily job. It is not only responding, it is also getting in to make sure that student comments are being monitored as well. Students  can choose to respond in a variety of formats as long as one posts is audio or video recorded. I have students that do all three methods. I also have a lot a students who prefer to respond by typing. This is fine as long as the students make one of their posts with audio or video. As you can see in the image, there is over 1 hour and 40 minutes... and we still have a few days left in the module. This takes a lot of time to listen / read through and to respond to as well. So, this task alone takes a lot of time. 

Examples of Some Announcements Posted for Students
Image Credit: P. Williams 

Other aspects of the course is making sure to keep students informed and just letting them know I am there for them. I also like to post announcements about all the stuff going on around campus (even through some of our students are not near campus). I like to make sure students know that there are free events and activities for them to do around campus if they would like to be involved. This week is Spring Fling and there are lots of free food and activities for students. I like to make sure they are aware of these fun things. Sometimes students do not check their email and this just gives another point of contact to get information out there to students.

Wrap Up

So... that is a little about what is going on throughout this week. It is a very busy and stressful time during the semester and it is all about keeping up (and a little ahead) so that students feel supported. I spend a lot of time just trying to make sure my presence is known and that everything I do is in support of the student. As we make our way into Sunday this week, students will be approaching the last module and heading into the final exam. 

Next week will be my last post for this practicum... hopefully... I can provide a good wrap up to all my work this term and where I hope to go from here. 

Now... on to week 15...