About the Online Modules
The ISW emphasizes the importance of modelling learner-centred and effective methods for teaching. This modelling extends to the ISW online modules. These modules were developed to provide ISW participants an opportunity to start building a learning community, start their learning path and apply their ISW learning in their first mini-lesson. Completing these modules allows us to focus on the synthesis of content and deeper learning during our meetings.
As you work through the modules, you will be prompted to complete a worksheet that will help you design your first mini-lesson. You will find further lesson planning templates in Module 8. Please do not prepare your second and third mini-lessons yet, as you will want to incorporate feedback from your fellow participants.
Module Structure
Based on feedback received from previous cohorts, we expect that you will spend approximately 2-3 hours to complete modules 1-7 which allows us to shorten the in person days.
The modules are designed to be completed as a cohort and we recommend following the schedule outlined on the previous page. Each module is unique but shares a number of common elements:
Module Objectives: The learning objectives for the module
Reflection: A bridge into the content and an opportunity to connect this content with your pre-existing knowledge and experience
Watch/Read: A curated or created video and/or text that will guide you through the content or concept
Knowledge Checks: Quizzes and interactive course elements that help to reinforce your understanding of course concepts
Discuss/Share: Instructions on how to discuss and/or share what you have learned
Optional Go Further: Explore related resources, approaches and strategies.
Throughout the readings and videos, you will be completing short knowledge checks and reflections. Online learning research suggests that completing short, interactive activities while reading or watching videos improves learning outcomes (Krodinger et al. 2015), (Kardas, M., & O'Brien, E., 2018). Krodinger et al. (2015) reported in their influential research paper 'Learning, is Not a Spectator Sport' that when participants completed interactive online activities embedded within course content like videos, their learning gains were six times greater than that of students who passively read and viewed content.
Metalearning in the ISW
We designed activities using a variety of tools to reinforce your learning and integrate new concepts into your understanding of teaching and learning. Below, you will find a quick explainer and notes on how you could use these tools in your own teaching. Note that we choose to use a variety of tools for modeling purposes. Typically, we recommend choosing only a few tools to reduce cognitive overload and focus students on achieving the learning objectives rather than trying to figure out multiple tools and activities.
H5P
What is it
H5P is an open-source tool that allows you to create interactive HTML5 content. H5P is an abbreviation for HTML5 Package, and there are 45 different interactive content types available, including multiple-choice questions, videos with interactive quizzes, memory games, image hotspots and many others. Currently, H5P is not integrated with Canvas, and elements cannot easily be graded.
How can I use it?
H5P is available to all faculty, staff, and students at UBC. To get started, go to h5p.open.ubc.ca and log in with your CWL. Once you have logged in, you can create H5P objects. To share these, you will need to embed each of the H5P elements in Canvas. To get started, follow the Directions on the UBC H5P site.
Padlet
What is it?
Padlet is an online bulletin board that teachers and students can use to collaborate, curate, and share digital content. In higher education, Padlet is often used as a classroom backchannel. Padlet is a valuable space for students to reflect or contribute to online courses.
How can I use it?
Padlet is not currently a supported tool at UBC. However, you can use the free account for up to five Padlets. UBC has not yet conducted a privacy impact assessment for Padlet. If you do use this tool, be sure to let students know not to share personally identifiable information or give them a chance to opt out. Padlet is not integrated with Canvas. If you would like students to access Padlet within Canvas, you must embed it.
Canvas Discussion Boards
What is it?
The Canvas discussion board tool, is a discussion tool built into Canvas. In the ISW online course, we have used the discussion board for course discussions, and we have created an Ask and Share Anything discussion topic for course questions. While the Canvas discussion board has limitations compared with more 'modern' discussion interfaces such as Discord, it provides some specific functionality for grading, such as gradable discussions and the ability to require students to post before seeing other students' responses.
How can I use it?
Canvas discussions are built directly into the Canvas system, and you can activate them in any course. In Canvas, "focused" discussions are best used for quick topics, as they only allow replies to the original post. For in-depth discussions, "threaded" discussions are best, as they allow for infinite levels of replying. Note that online discussions are most effective if the reflect and actual discussion. For activities such as sharing a reflection to a question, other tools such as Padlet are more useful. Log in to your Canvas course and click Discussions in the Course Navigation to get started.
MURAL
What is it?
MURAL is a digital workspace for visual collaboration that facilitators and instructors implement to support synchronous and asynchronous collaboration and interaction. In the ISW we use it as a whiteboard space for participants to asychronously develop group guidelines through visual brainstorming. Some facilitators may use MURAL during their synchronous or in person sessions.
How can I use it?
MURAL is not currently a supported tool at UBC. As educators, you can apply for a free account and use this for your courses. Note that the learning curve to using MURAL tends to be steeper compared to other tools such as Google Jamboard or Google slides. We suggest introducing easier activities that introduce the tool to students before relying on more advanced functions. Currently, MURAL has not had a privacy impact assessment done at UBC. If you do use this tool, be sure to let students know not to share personally identifiable information or give them a chance to opt out. MURAL is not integrated with Canvas. If you would like students to access MURAL within Canvas, you must embed it.
Instructional Videos
What is it?
Instructional videos are often used in online learning to inspire, model, and transmit content. We have included several instructional videos within the online ISW. Compared with text, video offers multiple cognitive channels, auditory and visual, enhancing learning. Mayer (2011). Note that instructional videos themselves are not active learning. To increase engagement, some instructors share prompts, ask reflective questions or add questions into the video.
How can I use it?
There are different ways that you can incorporate instructional videos into your courses. YouTube and other video sites have a huge variety of educational videos that can be reused and embedded in Canvas or other online tools. Additionally, you can produce educational videos using Camtasia, a video creation and editing tool available to all faculty, staff and students at UBC or with Kaltura, a video creation and streaming tool. To get started with Camtasia or Kaltura, take a browse through the UBC Camtasia and Kaltura instructor guides. When using instructional videos, we recommend enabling closed captions.