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Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework we can use to design courses that are more inclusive and accessible. The framework, developed by CAST, is quite extensive and there are many resources available that can help you implement UDL principles. In this blog post we will provide an overview of the three UDL guidelines…
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Strategies for Asynchronous Online Learning
A topic of interest in higher education these days is the future of instructional modalities. Educause describes a trend in students’ preferences for modalities that are mostly or entirely online because of the many benefits for students. Online asynchronous courses are characterized by self-paced flexible design to accommodate the needs of students. Students access course…
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Flexible Assessment
What is Flexible Assessment? Flexible assessment can take many forms. The flexibility may come from format, due dates or topic. It can apply to individual assignments or the assessment plan for your entire course. However, the success of any approach to flexible assessment will stem from the development of clearly established learning outcomes. Why Adopt…
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Difficult Conversations in the Classroom
We’ve all had (or worried about) that experience where the in-class discussion is lively and productive, until a student says something that upsets everyone. How to respond on the spot? How to mend the community that is your classroom after someone has said something ‘out of line’? Or, if the case allows, how to make…
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Gathering Together: VIU’s 2023 Teaching and Learning Conference
The 2023 Teaching and Learning Conference is open for registration and proposal submissions! Our conference theme “Gathering Together” invites you to explore ways that teaching, and learning can be done in relationship with others. Join us May 11-12 as we take part in an ever-growing conversation about how we can foster relational bonds that create,…
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The Share Drive (Ep. 20)
In our 20th(!) episode of the Share Drive we chat with Georgina Martin (Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies) and Shannon Dames, (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), about the innovative work they have been doing in the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy program at VIU.
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UnGrading: What is it? How would you DO it?
A few thoughts on grades by people who think deeply about teaching and learning: Grades are not a good incentive.Grades are not good feedback.Grades encourage competitiveness over collaboration.Grades are not good markers of learning.Grades don’t reflect the idiosyncratic, subjective, emotional character of learning.Grades aren’t “fair”. Grades can dampen existing intrinsic motivation, give rise to extrinsic…
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What Are Rubrics and Why Use Them?
A rubric is any tool that is used to communicate the criteria and standards for evaluating student work. Rubrics tell students and instructors what it is that is being used to measure achievement in student work. When used appropriately rubrics can be effective teaching tools for the purpose of clarifying expectations for students. They can…
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Tips for Marking Less and Teaching More
Regularly checking students’ learning progress and providing specific feedback is crucial to successful learning. However, assessment can be a heavy burden for both staff and students. This blog introduces options for reducing marking time and enhancing effective feedback by leveraging formative assessment. We will suggest practical ideas that you can use in your classrooms and…
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Early Feedback Service
The Early Feedback Service is a mechanism for gathering feedback from your students around midterm—before it is too late to make changes that might improve your students’ learning experience this semester
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Building Community in the Classroom
As we covered in last week’s blog, starting the semester off right includes building community in the classroom, promoting student engagement, co-creating classroom expectations, designing an inviting and inclusive syllabus, and growing considerations of student well-being. This week, we will dive more deeply into the steps you can take to build community in your classroom.…
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Starting Your Semester Off Right
Our first interactions with our students are an opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the course. Whether we are meeting them face to face, via Zoom or asynchronously via VIULearn we can use this time to connect with students, have students connect with each other, have them connect with the content and…