Resources for Online Learners
Email EdSafety@shsu.edu for guidance and coaching.
-
General Conversations about Online Learning
You’re not in this transition alone. Many people are working through similar issues. Social media an colleagues have allowed us to connect as a profession to support our students.
The Spring 2020 Online Learning Collective Facebook Group
A group meant to support higher education instructors as they pivot to online learning. Offers mentorship opportunities.
Dr. Laura Pasquini (Univ. of North Texas), Dr. Paul Eaton (SHSU), and colleagues from all over the world have compiled a comprehensive, open access document with a variety of tools and resources to help with moving coursework to online or remote formats in a fast paced manner.
-
Pros and Cons of Various LMS systems
The right tools make all of the difference. A Learning Management System (LMS) is the technology solution your school or institution has chosen to use to deliver online learning
The TEA has developed online courses available to eligible students. Check out their resources.
This comprehensive list is updated daily and outlines a variety of online learning tools companies are making freely available to educators in this time of need. Amazing resources for K-12 and university level educators alike!
Which LMS is Best? Pros and Cons of Blackboard, D2L, and Canvas.
A 2016 video by Mark Maxwell reviewing the relative strengths and challenges of various Learning Management Systems.
A 2017 resource from Paradiso detailing differences between two LMS
Additional Readings
Shannon, L.Y., Rice, M. (2016) Scoring the Open Source Learning Management Systems. International Journal of Information and Education Technology 7(6). 432-436.
-
Online Pedagogical Philosophies
How to be a Better Online Teacher
Flower Darby’s renowned Advice Guide for instructors. Includes 10 practices for online learning.
Best Practices and Expectations for Online Teaching
Guidelines from Purdue University pertaining to setting your tone, rhythm, and feedback expectations.
Additional Readings
Arnesen, K. T., Hveem, J., Short, C. R., West, R. E., & Barbour, M. K. (2019). K-12 online learning journal articles: trends from two decades of scholarship. Distance Education, 40(1), 32-53.
Baytiyeh, H. (2019). Mobile Learning Technologies as a Means of Maintaining Education Delivery In Crisis Situations. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education (IJICTE), 15(3), 1-10.
Holzweiss, P. C., Joyner, S. A., Fuller, M. B., Henderson, S., & Young, R. (2014) Online graduate students’ perceptions of best learning experiences, Distance Education, 35:3, 311-323, DOI: 10.1080/01587919.2015.955262
-
Best Practices in Online Tools (i.e., discussion boards, tests, wikis, etc.)
There are many ways to engage learners in online settings. Variety, developing a strategy, and a rhythm all matter to learning the most our of online learning.
Mastering Online Discussion Board Facilitation
A resource from TeacherStream LLC aimed at improving instructors’ capacity to host strong online discussions
Best Practices in Managing Online Discussions
An excerpt from the University of Rhode Island’s series on online instruction
4 Expert Strategies for Designing an Online Course
Guidelines for developing an online course include collaborative work and creating a consistent structure.
Best Practices in Online Test and Quiz Creation
Clemson University’s guide to faculty using Canvas. Can be applied to multiple LMSs.
Best Practices in Delivering Online Tests and Quizzes
The University of Virginia’s guidelines for faculty offering tests online.
Suggested Best Practices for Wikis in Moodle
Though focused on Moodle, this guide from the Univ. of Mass. Amherst offers insights on how wikis can play a part in your online class
Google Classroom Cheat Sheet for Families and Teachers
A handy guide for Google classroom users.
Google Classroom Guide for Parents and Students
A guide meant to help parents and students as they first navigate Google Classroom.
K-12 Classroom Teachers might find the following tools useful for specific subjects:
Engineering Activities for Kids (when under Quarantine)
Free Online Learning at Home Sessions and Resources from Jodi Southard
New York Public Library is Offering 300,000 books for Download for Free
Free: 28 days of STEM and STEAM Activities for Kids
63 Science Experiments for Kids using Household Items
Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read-alouds
Online Weather and Meteorology Class
List of Sites for Families to Use While School is Closed
Top Take Home STEM Resources for School Closing
Free COVID19 Elementary Relief Packs
Science Mom Weekly Videos with Science demonstrations
150 Educational Shows on Netflix
Additional Readings
Budhai, S. S. (2017). Best practices in engaging online learners through active and experiential learning strategies. Taylor & Francis.
Brown, M. L. (2017). Evaluating Online Teaching: Implementing Best Practices by Thomas J. Tobin, B. Jean Mandernach, and Ann H. Taylor. Journal of Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness, 7(1), 117-119.
Niemeyer, D. J., & Gerber, H. R. (2015). Maker culture and Minecraft: Implications for the future of learning. Educational Media International, 52(3), 216-226.
Montelongo, R. (2018). More than a field trip: Using point of view action cameras for online courses. College Teaching, 66(2), 84-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/87567555.2017.1413535
-
Pros and Cons of Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning
Allowing students to engage in learning on their own schedule has benefits for students in crisis situations and allows for distributed internet bandwidth. Synchronous sessions, however, offer students opportunities to process through their experiences in crisis events.
Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning: Which is Right for your Learners?
Though focused on training and corporate settings, this guide offers a great overview of synchronous and asynchronous learning.
Best Practices for Synchronous Sessions
Kristina Wilson’s blog on how to effectively host a live online session.
7 Tips To Create an Effective Asynchronous eLearning Strategy
Christopher Pappas’ guide for developing sessions that students can complete on their timeline.
Additional Readings
Thompson, J. T. (2006). Best practices in asynchronous online course discussions. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 3(7).
-
Grading and Assessment in Online Learning
Grading and assessing student learning is often aided by the online medium because learning occurs in ways that can easily be observed and documented.
Best Practices in Assessment in Online Courses
A brief statement about principles of effective assessment in online learning from Winthrop University.
Best Practices for Large Enrollment Online Classes
Though focused on Canvas, Arizona State University’s guidelines are useful in helping faculty manage grading and feedback expectations.
Additional Readings
Alley, L. R., & Jansak, K. E. (2001). The ten keys to quality assurance and assessment in online learning. Journal of Interactive Instruction Development, 13(3), 3-18.
Timms, M. J. (2017). Assessment of online learning. In Handbook on digital learning for K-12 schools (pp. 217-231). Springer, Cham.
Vonderwell, S., Liang, X., & Alderman, K. (2007). Asynchronous discussions and assessment in online learning. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 39(3), 309-328.
-
Diversity in Online Settings
Teaching students about diversity via online medium is possible. Students can learn about this critical learning outcome even when face-to-face opportunities are not possible.
Teaching Diversity Online Is Possible. These Professors Tell You How.
SHSU Professors Ric Montelongo, Paul Eaton, and Rebecca Bustamante describe how diversity can be taught in online sessions
COVID 19: Online Teaching Basics & Diversity in Online Learning Spaces
A video about teaching diversity in online settings facilitated by Drs. Paul W. Eaton & Ricardo Montelongo from Sam Houston State University
Additional Readings
Grant, K. S. L., & Lee, V. J. (2014). Wrestling with issues of diversity in online courses. Qualitative Report, 19, 12.
Montelongo, R., & Eaton, P. W. (2019). Online learning for social justice and inclusion: The role of technological tools in graduate student learning. International Journal of Information and Learning Technology, 37(1-2), 33-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-11-2018-0135
-
Dealing with Technology
Technology allows educators to enhance learning, but it can also be very frustrating, especially when it doesn’t work. With practice and testing, technology will not be a challenge for instructors.
8 Engaging Ways to use Technology in the Classroom to Create Lessons That Aren’t Boring
Though the ideas in this article by Kelly Walsh with EmmergingEdTech.com is focused on technology in the traditional classroom, many applications to online settings could be developed.
Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students with Special Needs
These add ons to Google Chrome support all students’ needs in web surfing and online learning.
A useful guide for navigating Zoom.
Inclusion of a resource on this list does not indicate an endorsement of any service or specific approach. SHSU offers this resource as a guide to your own professional judgement.
We’re here to help! The following SHSU faculty contributed to this resource:
Matthew Fuller, Ph.D.
Peggy Holzweiss, Ph.D.
Hannah Gerber, Ph.D.
Ricardo Montelongo, Ph.D.
Marilynn Rice, Ph.D.
Paul Eaton, Ph.D.
Kimberly LaPrairie, Ph.D.
Reach an SHSU Faculty member for guidance and help by emailing EdSafety@shsu.edu.