In The Classroom With Stan Skrabut

I first learned about gallery walks attending Duncan Wardle’s presentation called “How to Innovate by Thinking Differently: The Disney Way” at Social Media Marketing World. Wardle’s focus was on improving creativity and innovation. One of the strategies he shared was this idea called a gallery walk. His reasoning was that we tend to become confrontational when we are across the table from each other. But by posting the presentation around the wall and reviewing it, a group begins to think more expansively. I thought this was a great idea and discovered that it was already being done in education. Gallery walks allow students to tap into higher-order thinking skills like analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. They have an opportunity to practice other soft skills in a group setting while increasing their knowledge on a topic. This week we are going to take a closer look at gallery walks. Gallery walks is a strategy for looking at and critiquing exhibits. We are going to look at what a gallery walk is, why use th

Pinch points in your class are holding your students back. They are areas in your class where students are struggling. One of the simplest ways to revise your course is to apply Universal Design for Learning techniques to eliminate identified pinch points. You can use strategies like Plus One to provide an instructional choice in a confusing area of your course. Naturally, use the 80/20 principle to identify the areas with the greatest impact. This week, we are going to take a closer look at pinch points. Specifically, we are going to look at how to identify them and strategies for fixing them. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/intheclassroom  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc87  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/textexpander  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/ 

No one likes to have their time wasted. However, disposable assignments do exactly that. Sure, a student may learn something while doing them but they are quickly discarded when returned. A lot of man-hours go into creating the assignment product, then grading the product. It is for nothing when the product is discarded shortly after getting back to the student. What if the assignment served an additional purpose such as helping more people than just the student? By using open pedagogy, you can extend the value of an assignment and serve more people. This week, we are going to take a closer look at disposable assignments and why you should switch them out with renewable assignments that provide greater benefit to more people. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/intheclassroom  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc86  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/textexpande

I believe that we can all safely agree that Wikipedia should not be used as a primary source in a formal journal article. However, as a learning and teaching tool, we should not discount it. Research has shown that Wikipedia is as accurate as common encyclopedias. It provides a solid jumping-off point for most research quests. It also ranks high in searches with most search engines. We need to take time to show students how to use it because most students will leave academia and the library article databases. We need to teach students how to use tools like Wikipedia to support their everyday tasks. You may say that Wikipedia is not always accurate. Well, you and your students can make the corrections. And you should. This week, we are going to take a closer look at Wikipedia as a teaching and learning tool. I think you will be surprised at what I have pulled together for you. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com

Research has shown that deeper learning will take place when students can tie new knowledge to prior knowledge. One cannot expect deep learning when the first exposure to new concepts is through only a lecture or simply passive reading. Students must engage with content to start forming mental models. The strategy I picked up at the Prep School arranges learning in an order that helps to create prior knowledge thus allowing for deeper connections during lectures. This week, we are going to take a closer look at this learning and teaching strategy. I will breakdown the necessary steps and highlight why each is important. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/intheclassroom  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc84  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/textexpander  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/ 

After reading about Harvard Business School Board Planning strategy in Teaching Effectively With Zoom by Dan Levy, I wanted to learn more about improved chalkboard practices. You may be thinking to yourself, “Isn’t using a chalkboard pretty basic?” I thought so as well. However, there are strategies you can use to improve learning. Another piece of research I found to be interesting is that students actually prefer instructors to use a chalkboard rather than using PowerPoint. Based on what I have learned about chalkboards, I have to rethink my position. This week, we are going to take a closer look at using chalkboards, blackboards, and whiteboards in the classroom. We are going to look at the reasons why as well as strategies for improving effective practice. Finally, we are going to explore ways to use chalkboards in a virtual environment. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/intheclassroom  Show notes: https

Bloom’s Taxonomy is a wonderful model for developing the learning objectives necessary to identify what students need to know or do in your classroom. Bloom’s Taxonomy helps to identify the level and depth of knowledge or skill students need. The great thing about this model is that you can use it to craft expectations at the appropriate level. Novice learners would start at the lower-order thinking skills, whereas the experienced learners would start at a higher level. Educators across the globe have shared resources to help peers more easily adopt this model. I have shared links to some of these resources in the supporting blog post. This week, we are going to take a closer look at Bloom’s Taxonomy, specifically, the revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. I will include a strategy for putting it into practice. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/intheclassroom  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc81  Music credit: ht

Very often, how we teach is not in alignment with how the brain works. Fortunately, we can change how we share content as well as how we assess to ensure students are comprehending the material. Using information recall techniques will help students process information from sensory memory through short-term memory to long-term memory. You can control for Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve effect by intentionally using some of the information retention techniques that I share in this episode. Practicing information recall is a cornerstone to the success of this strategy. This week, we are going to take a look at how memory works, strategies for increasing information retention, and specific ideas you and your students can use in your classroom. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/intheclassroom  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc81  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com

Each week, while preparing this podcast, I have to open a number of Google folders and files, websites, and Windows applications and folders. This process takes me two minutes to do. With AutoHotKey, a simple keystroke accomplishes this task in 15 seconds. Over the course of the next year, this will save me nearly two hours. Imagine the time savings if these hacks are applied to other processes. AutoHotKey will allow you to script computer tasks to a key combination. With AutoHotKey, you can reprogram keys to serve your bidding. This program has already saved me time and increased the functionality of my computer. I am now using features that I previously did not use because it was too time-consuming to do. This week, we are going to take a look at AutoHotKey and share some ideas of how you can use it. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodcast/  Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/intheclassroom  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc80  Music credit:

Many of the instructors I have met have not learned about instructional design and how it can help them. Instead, they build courses based on trial and error. My focus on different instructional design principles and theories is to help cut down on misspent time and energy while increasing the return on investment in terms of student learning. Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction include: Gain attention Inform learners of objectives Stimulate recall of prior learning Present the content Provide “learning guidance” Elicit performance (practice) Provide feedback Assess performance Enhance retention and transfer to the job Gagne’s 9 events of instruction can be applied at the course level, a module level, or an individual class session. You can layer the approach and create a powerful learning experience. These events can be used in online, hybrid, and face-to-face classes. This week we are going to take a look at Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction and provide ideas for implementing each of the events. Come learn more

Most online courses I review as part of an instructional design quality review are missing a human element. Things we would do naturally in a face-to-face course are being left out of an online course. Video can help bring humanness into a course. Many faculty are concerned about how they look or sound on a video. I would encourage them to remember who and what the video is for. The video is to help students learn a concept. If you have taught face to face courses, students already know what you look and sound like. They appreciate you because you are human. Do not deny them that. With only the basics, you can create videos that will make a difference in your course. Videos can be used to clarify concepts, create community, and increase engagement. This week we are going to take a look at humanizing your online course with videos. We’ll look at types of videos you could and should create, equipment needs, and success strategies. Come learn more. Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTheClassroomPodc

According to David Kolb, learners move through a four-stage cycle as they develop new skills and learn concepts. By learning about this cycle and associated learning styles, you can better assist students to master your content. By understanding the learning styles, you can develop content and learning activities that are in line with how your students best learn. Incorporating these different learning styles align with Universal Design for Learning by providing more supports and choice in the classroom. This week we are going to take a look at Kolb's Learning Styles and Experiential Learning Cycle. Additionally, we are going to see how these concepts can be used in your classroom. Come learn more. Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/archive/  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc77  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/  

This week I want to take a look at digital badging as a tool for your academic tool chest. I have been around the concept of badging my whole life. Badging in the workplace and through volunteering has shaped my life. There is more to learning than what occurs in the classroom. Digital badging helps to capture learning that is not formally recognized through the formal transcript process. This week we are going to take a look at digital badges for an academic classroom. For part of that discussion, I am going to tell you about my experiences with badging. Come learn more. Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/archive/  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc76  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/  

This week I am going to address one of my pet peeves. It focuses on a word that is frequently used in higher education by faculty and staff. It is also a word used in college sports and even professional sports. I never heard the word being used in the 20 years I served in the Air Force. I was shocked to hear this word used in higher ed with regular frequency. It is insulting to those it is referring to. It is disrespectful. This week we are going to take a look at what I consider an offensive four-letter word used in higher ed. Come learn more. Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/archive/  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc75  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/  

Have you ever had a student ask what they needed to do to increase their grade? I never have because I did not set up the conditions where they needed to. With subtractive grading, students can only go down and then need extra points to raise their grades. Additive grading works the other way around. Students are always moving up. In order for students to attain the grade they desire, they must accumulate points. They start at zero and then everything they do contributes to the grade they want. I picked this strategy up from the book The Multiplayer Classroom by Lee Sheldon. Additive grading leverages the best of game-based elements to encourage students to keep improving. Because there is regular and constant positive feedback, students tend to repeat positive performance. This week we are going to take a look at additive grading. Come learn more. Other podcast episodes: https://tubarksblog.com/archive/  Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc74  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: http

Throughout my life, I have benefited from self-directed learning. Skills I have brought to my work have in a large part been developed through a self-directed learning journey. With a rapidly changing world, everyone needs to develop skills to stay current. Those who do not continue to learn and adapt will be left behind. The challenge is to transform students who are dependent upon a teacher or professor into learners who are responsible for their own learning. This week we are going to take a look at self-directed learning and different ideas for getting students started down a self-directed learning path. Come learn more. Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc73  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/ 

Assessments done well measure a student’s ability to meet objectives, the quality of instruction, and the quality of the assessment instrument. This must be done in a balanced and fair manner. When the approach is focused more on the education system of sorting rather than learning, some students may resort to cheating. When the stakes of assessment become too great or when they are perceived to be not authentic then cheating can occur. There are steps instructors can take to help reduce cheating. This takes the shape of authentic learning and increased human interaction in a course. This week we are going to take a look at cheating, specifically, why does cheating exist, What type of environment do you want to create, and what you can do to prevent cheating. Come learn more. Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc72  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/ 

Due to the current COID-19 pandemic, I can expect that we will be delivering a lot more instruction online. What was thrown together for the spring due to the outbreak does not resemble a well-designed online course. We can do much better. I am recommending that you explore these five strategies for building an online course that is engaging and useful—one that you will be proud of. These strategies are Backward design Open Educational Resources Universal Design for Learning Quality Course Review Accessibility This week we are going to take a look at these five strategies and set you on a self-directed learning path to designing a great online course. Come learn more. Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc71 Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/  

Love them or hate them, group projects are essential to learning. They should not be discarded if you are teaching in an online environment. With the current COID-19 pandemic, who isn’t teaching online. Your LMS has tools that will make it easier to facilitate group projects as well as encourage communication and participation. Use these LMS tools to create your student groups as well as provide students with collaboration tools to help them succeed. Most LMSs provide group tools for file sharing, discussion boards, email, page creation, and virtual meetings. This week we are going to take a look at why you would want to have your students participate in group projects, common tools found in two LMSs, and strategies for successfully implementing the tools. Come learn more. Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc70  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/  

All good courses start with a plan. All good plans start with goals and have intended outcomes. Yet, a lot of instructors creating courses only pay lip service to the goals they list in their course. Goals, objectives, and outcomes are the foundation of your plan. They define what will occur in the course and more importantly what will not be covered. Goals and outcomes describe broad aspects of behavior. They indicate what students will learn as well as what they have learned and how well. Learning objectives operationalize course goals. They indicate what a student must be able to demonstrate what they know or can do. This week we are going to take a closer look at course goals, objectives, and outcomes as they apply to your course. Come learn more. Show notes: https://tubarksblog.com/itc69  Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com/  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/scrivener  Sponsor: https://tubarksblog.com/read-to-succeed/