Category: Online Learning

Categories
Online Learning

DKU Sakai course template

Create a guided learning experience with the DKU course template in Sakai

In order for you and your students to have a streamlined, well-organized, learner-centered Sakai site with a range of instructional materials and tools, we have created a new DKU course template to give you options for getting started.

When we complete the fall course site batch creation process, you should have your course site(s) with the new template applied.

This template starts with an Overview page where you can put some basic course information like your name and email address and a brief course description.

For a more in-depth introduction to the course, the template has a Getting Started page with 1) tips for how students can get started in the course and 2) a place for you to upload your syllabus.

The template has a dropdown menu called Weeks that includes a page for each week of the semester where you can put information such as a weekly introduction, learning outcomes, readings and resources, and weekly assignments.

A screenshot of the Week 1 page of the Advanced template in Sakai. This page has a top-level heading of "Week 1" followed by the heading "Introduction" and this text: “Put a short introduction to the week here, such as a brief overview of the concepts and/or topics you will cover, guiding questions for the week, and why these concepts/topics are important.” Next, there is a heading for “Learning Outcomes” followed by the text: "By the end of this week, you will be able to: list what you want learners to be able to do, and write measurable and action-oriented goals.” The next heading is "Readings/Resources" and the text below it says "This is where you can list readings for the week, provide links to external resources or videos, or add links to files uploaded to the Resources folder in Sakai.” Finally, there is the heading "Learning Activities" followed by text that says, "This is where you can list and link to this week's assignments. To link directly to Sakai tools including Forums, Assignments, and Tests & Quizzes, select the plus button on the bottom right and then select one of the following: Link to an assignment, Link to a Test or Quiz, or Link to a Forum or Topic."

The template also includes a robust offering of commonly-used tools, including those for learning activities (Assignments and Tests & Quizzes), course communication (Announcements, Zoom Meetings, and Email), and other tools for course management (Gradebook, Resources, and Calendar). In addition, the template includes Warpwire so you can easily upload and share images, audio files, and videos.

 You should see three extra menu items: Library (linking to the DKU library website), Writing and Language Studio* (to WLS Sakai site), and UG Advising* (to Office of Undergraduate Advising Sakai site). (*Please note: currently, both WLS and UG Advising Sakai sites are accessible to students only by enrolling all students.

With the template, you can provide more information about each unit or week of your course while taking advantage of multiple tools to enhance learning. This guided experience walks students through the course and makes it clear what they need to do and when. The template also allows you to be creative with your course site by adding multimedia, learning activities, and supplemental resources.

With the template, by creating a clear and organized course site with useful information, you free up time for the best part of the course—the learning.

For more information about the template or to get help with your course site, contact CTL: DKU_CTL@dukekunshan.edu.cn

Categories
Online Learning

Engaged Learning Student Checklist

This guide will help you successfully finish Session 4.

Online learning requires faculty and students to teach and to learn with intentionality and focus. From lectures to labs, your faculty have been scrutinizing every aspect of their teaching to deliver a quality online educational experience. But they can only do so much. You, too, have a chance to create a uniquely rich learning environment.

Already, DKU has been featured globally for its two week transition to online learning and we have just released Four Weeks In: 10 Lessons from Teaching Online at Duke Kunshan University. We invite you to join the faculty in writing the next chapter in DKU’s global leadership.

Below you’ll find a checklist of essential practices for online learning, specific strategies for synchronous and asynchronous environments and a special section on group work.

Essential Practices

☐ Communicate with your instructor early and often. Let your teachers know how the course is going without overwhelming them. Make your comments suggestions and offer to problem-solve. Check your DKU email at least twice a day.

☐ Set aside time free from distractions (including unnecessary open tabs in your web browser) to participate in class and complete assignments, and having a dedicated work space. Note that this may require communicating with other household members about what you need to be successful.

☐ Set reminders, either through an online calendar or phone app, about class meeting times and course due dates.

☐ Create study groups. Reach out to students who aren’t in the same time zone and may need to connect with you asynchronously. Look for or suggest a forum where students can post the times they are available (or their time zones) and their own Zoom link so they can virtually get together. Arrange your own peer-to-peer asynchronous and synchronous conversations. 

Synchronous Strategies

☐ Use your video camera unless your bandwidth is poor. (Otherwise it’s too easy to check out.) If possible, plug in a phone or other headset with a built-in microphone, rather than your laptop’s speakers and microphone. Do your best to be in a quiet location. Mute your microphone when not speaking. 

☐ Zoom has the ability to provide live closed captioning. If you are not seeing this, and would like to see this feature enabled, please feel free to reach out to your instructor.

☐ Use the chat function and encourage your peers to respond to each other. Be aware of how much you are contributing to in-class discussions. Try not to silence yourself out of concern for what others will think about what you say. If you have a tendency to contribute often, give others the opportunity to speak. If you tend to stay quiet, challenge yourself to share ideas so others can learn from you.

Asynchronous Strategies

☐ Communicate early and often with your instructors, especially if you have questions about the material, have difficulty finding or accessing course materials, or simply feel unsure how best to engage.

☐ Use video or pictures of yourself in Forum posts and online sessions so that other students can see you and know you are engaged.

☐ When prompted, engage in the Sakai discussion forums with thoughtful, substantive responses to course readings, your peers’ comments, and to ask/answer questions.

☐ Independently, or with the help of your instructor, find ways to engage with your peers. This might include live discussions using Zoom, breakout rooms for smaller group interactions, or taking advantage of the chat function when appropriate.

☐ Re-read and think before you post in online discussions, since intentions behind a statement might not be clear. 

Group Work 

☐ Make regular progress, even if small, and stay in touch. Consider a quick text on your group chat about progress every couple of days. Ideally, have real conversations over video every week you’re working together.

☐ Set a purpose for meetings in advance and use a shared note document so you can all contribute and follow along.

☐ Check on each other and ask for backup: If someone has been absent from your group meetings or chat, ask them directly if they’re still able to participate in the project. If you aren’t getting responses within a day or two, let your instructor know. Know it isn’t being petty, it’s your team’s responsibility.

Need help?

☐ Get in touch with your instructors and advisors.

☐ For resources and answers to frequently asked questions, visit Online Student Learning Sakai site The resources and discussion forums on this Sakai site are designed to help you transition to the online format and answer any questions you might have related to courses or technology. For all technical problems, contact the IT Help Desk at service-desk@dukekunshan.edu.cn.

☐ If you need a learning consultation or a tutor, the Academic Resource Center is available to you online.

☐ For technical help with Sakai, Zoom, or VPN, contact:

  • China-based faculty/staff/students (+86) 0512- 3665-7100
  • US-based faculty/staff/students (+1) 919-660-1810
  • International-based faculty/staff/students can use either telephone option (recommend using tools like Skype calling)
  • Live Chat:  https://oit.duke.edu/help
  • Email:  service-desk@dukekunshan.edu.cn

Credits

Adapted from the University of Michigan Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (http://www.crlt.umich.edu/examples-discussion-guidelines) and the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning (https://ctl.columbia.edu).