The end of the semester has arrived!
Throughout EC&I 834 I was able to learn about a variety of different topics related to online and blended learning. You can view my summary of learning here. Thank you for joining my journey and being a great contributor to my learning!
As fast as it began, the Winter 2023 semester is now almost over! For EC&I 834, I created an online course prototype for Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies‘ Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED) outbound mobility program. As I previously mentioned, the program has two courses, GWED 215 and GWED 225; however, I chose to build GWED 225 for my online course prototype. My course profile can be viewed on my EC&I blog page or by clicking on the previously embedded link.
Throughout my education career, I have created various online courses for high school or higher education students. However, this course prototype was special because I was provided with the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone, use new tools and features, and think more deeply about considerations for common concerns. I found that through this process, I was able to tailor my course prototype to a variety of learners that will come through the program. One of my favourite additions to the course is the ability for students to self-enroll within groups to complete the capstone project assignment as a group. This feature was previously disabled on Brightspace and I had to contact SIIT’s Brightspace administrator to enable the tool. Once I set it up and provided students with information on how to use and access the tool, it provided a great space for student-student interactions. Previously, in order to share files among themselves, students had to send files through Microsoft Outlook. However, Microsoft Outlook emails have size constraints on files, so some students were not able to share their larger files and had to upload them into Sharepoint. This eliminated the problem and provided students with an organized space to collaborate and work. It also helped to eliminate spacial barriers between students that are studying at various campuses throughout Saskatchewan.
In education time is not necessarily on your side, so it was great to have the ability to slow down, think about the choices that I am making, and apply new concepts to a program that will help enhance each student’s experience. Below, you will find a link to my walkthrough video of GWED 225, highlighting the various tools used within the course prototype, module one, and module two. If you have any feedback or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out or comment on this blog post below!
This week, I was tasked with taking a deeper look at my current interactions within my course prototype on Brightspace. Are they meaningful and authentic? Do they facilitate discussion and collaboration? Hoping that my course would be engaging (I can only hope) I have included various forms of student-student and student-instructor interactions within my course prototype. However, there is always room to grow, learn, and add new variations that are tailored to my students!
Before online learning begins, within each program, in the first semester, students are provided with online learning guidelines and best practices. At the beginning of each course, I ensure that I reiterate those guidelines to students and I monitor student-student interactions throughout the course. I also engage the students in an online learning discussion where we discuss the guidelines and debate further best practices that are tailored to the students in the cohort. For example, my previous cohort preferred for discussions to be more organized and we implemented a respectful guideline that each student should virtually, or physically, raise their hand when they want to talk next. This helped eliminate the confusion of students talking over one another and students not talking because they did not want to interrupt.
Below is a comprehensive list of what interactions I currently have implemented and my justification.
If you have any suggestions for further student-student or student-teacher interactions please comment on my blog post below!
After completing module one for my course, Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED) 225, I was provided with feedback from my peers about the course shell, content, and overall course profile. Overall, the feedback was very positive and highlighted the layout and ease of use of my course. It’s always a wonderful feeling to receive great constructive feedback!
During class last week, we were asked about the feedback process and one of my peers stated that it made them wish that they could talk to the creator to clarify their choices and build a deeper understanding. After reading my feedback, I definitely agree because I often design courses for non-traditional post-Secondary curriculum and I could tell that my reviewers struggled to fully grasp and situate my course. Therefore, I want to highlight a couple categories of feedback and further explain my course to help scaffold their learning, so they are well prepared for my final prototype and course walkthrough.
Students within the Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED) program at Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) are required to be within their second-year of studies in their post-Secondary program. Therefore, students have already taken foundational courses in writing, communication, presenting, and several courses related to Indigenous peoples within Canada. Depending on their program of study, students may have taken Indigenous Care Practices, Indigenous Models of Healing and Practice, Indigenous Leadership, Indigenous Foundations, Indigenous Business I and II, Indigenomics, and more!
When students are accepted into the course, they bring a wealth of knowledge that is built upon through two courses. The pre-requisite course for GWED 225 is GWED 215, which is called International Work Study Prep. This course is an introductory course and includes four modules that cover travel documents, including obtaining all required travel documents with assistance from SIIT staff, health and safety while travelling, intercultural competencies, and preparing to travel by air. GWED 215 was created strategically to help remove barriers that Indigenous students may face when travelling domestically and internationally. Therefore, SIIT staff works with each student to fill out travel document applications, pays for all associated travel document fees, and submits applications on behalf or with students. As well, one of my reviewers inquired about intercultural competencies and the ability for students to learn about the Navajo and Pueblo peoples within New Mexico, as their culture, way of life, traditions, and language are very different from Indigenous peoples within Saskatchewan. This is thoroughly covered within the intercultural competencies module within GWED 215. This course is also kept open and accessible for students while they are completing GWED 225, in case they need to reference the materials.
The feedback I received and our discussion last week about accessibility in an online course provided a great opportunity for me to further debate my choices within my course. My largest challenge by far related to accessibility is the actual learning management system (LMS), Brightspace. A lot of the links that are within my course open on a new webpage, which is not great for users on smartphones or students with low bandwidth. Although Brightspace has the capability to incorporate videos, documents, presentations, built in Brightspace tools, and has extensions options, when you create a link there is a warning that pops up (pictured below). The warning asks for confirmation to make the change, as even Brightspace knows that it might not work well. I have previously clicked yes to this warning and attempted to have links open within the same window, but when I viewed it from a learner perspective the links were often unfocused, took long to load, and slowed down my computer. I am really hoping that this issue is something that Brightspace designers are working on fixing!
For reflection journals, students have the capability to write their journal directly into Brightspace and view the rubric, with outlined learning outcomes attached, while typing to align their response to expectations. One of my reviewers inquired about the feedback process, as they could only view the course from a learner perspective. My favourite part of the feedback process is the ability to provide student’s feedback on various different levels. While marking students, I can provide feedback directly into the rubric category and overall feedback regarding the assignment. In the overall feedback section, I can compare their reflection to the rest of the class, upload media, attach links, and even provide the feedback using audio or video instead of text! I have used the video feature before to share my screen with students and walk through their work to provide further detail and examples.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading my feedback from my peers, especially when they come from a very different education and work background. It allows me to critically think about my specific choices, the impacts I have, and also reiterates how cool my job is! I am very lucky to work in an institution that culturally understands and supports their staff and students and actively works towards breaking down industry and historic barriers. I also get to travel domestically and internationally frequently, which is always a fun bonus! The projects that I am currently working on for my institution are exciting and quite revolutionary in design, so I am thrilled that I am able to share a glimpse into one of my projects with all of you.
Flip, previously Flipgrid, is Microsoft’s free video discussion application that allows students and educators to connect in small groups using videos to build a safe learning environment. Essentially, Flip is Microsoft’s educational version of the video viewing and messaging applications Snapchat and TikTok. However, unlike TikTok and Snapchat, Flip focuses on educators, organizations, and community builders. Flip seeks to provide its users with a platform to share their voice and creativity with confidence while connecting with their peers, build a secure online community for your club or organization to strengthen communication, plan events, share milestones, and share your story. Flip is available as a web-based application or downloadable on the App Store or Google Play.
Flip is a video discussion tool that allows teachers to post videos with text as topics, which is then shared with students who are prompted to respond. Responses are recorded using the software’s camera to create dynamic videos that can be recorded an unlimited amount of times and users can add text, emojis, stickers, drawers, or custom stickers. Flip is designed to engage students in group discussions, without some of the social pressures students face within classroom settings. Therefore, the application is great for use when teaching blended, hybrid, or asynchronous courses.
Surprisingly, the process for Flip is pretty straightforward, especially if you have experience using Snapchat, TikTok, and other Microsoft Office 365 applications. Educators can sign up for a Flip account for free using a Microsoft, Google, or Apple account. Upon your first login, it will automatically prompt you to create your first group and provides you with lots of group categories, such as classrooms, clubs, friends and family, events, gaming, hobbies, professional development, and more! For my Flip investigation, I chose the classroom group and I was prompted to select the level of learners that would be using the application. I could choose from all levels ranging from Elementary to University learners and after my selection, I was prompted to name the group and select a featured background image for the group. Afterwards, the application created an invitation link and QR code and I was given the option of allowing access to anyone who had the link or just the people that I approve. Once I had completed the setup, I was now able to create topics to start discussions with students and chose the time limit for videos and add photos, stickers, or links. After I made my selections, I was given another link to share with students or post on a Learning Management System (LMS). Students can click the link, watch the video, and post a video response, which can be commented on by other students. “Flip currently offers more than 25,000 lessons and activities, and more than 35,000 topics, helping you to create new Topics or use existing ones quickly and easily”(Edwards, 2022).
Flip was created to do one thing, facilitate online video discussions; therefore, similar to any application, there are benefits, limitations, and drawbacks associated.
When I first saw the application, I was excited because it was owned by Microsoft and my work relies on Microsoft Office 365 applications. I did not understand why I have never heard of the application before. However, I now understand why it is not well-known. Although the application can provide users with a different way of doing discussions, it is riddled with drawbacks and user reviews that cannot be ignored. Flip can be great if you have students who prefer online discussions and are creative. It can also be a great place for students to participate in safe online discussions with other specialists around the world. Teachers and educators can also access Flip’s step-by-step guides, already built topics, and partake in professional development opportunities online. Unfortunately, this application will not work for the demographic of students I work with, but it could be great for you!
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) outbound mobility program, Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED), is a pilot program funded by the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), Global Skills Opportunities (GSO), and the Oyateki Partnership. The GWED program provides full-time post-Secondary SIIT students with the opportunity to participate in international travel in their second year of studies.
GWED 225 is the second course within SIIT’s GWED program for outbound mobility. Upon successful completion of GWED 215, International Work Study Prep, in the first term of the student’s second year of studies, students will participate in GWED 225, Outbound Mobility and Capstone Project, in the second term of their second year of studies. In GWED 225, students will apply the knowledge learned throughout the program and outbound mobility experience to three reflection journals and a multimedia digital storytelling capstone project. The formative and summative assessments in GWED 225 will allow students to use critical thinking, communication, collaboration, organization, accountability, networking and relationship building, system thinking, and leadership skills. Therefore, students will apply cross-curricular knowledge to real-world situations that will apply to their future education, business, and/or employment opportunities.
The Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED) program is targeted toward full-time post-Secondary students currently attending Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). Recruitment of eligible students occurs within their first-year and second term of studies with admission to the program opening in their second year and the first term of studies at SIIT.
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) is an Indigenous institution governed by First Nation leaders with a learning community made up of more than 90% Indigenous students and 70% Indigenous staff. All students within the Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED) program have self-identified as Indigenous peoples. The age range of students within the program is 21 to 46 years old with gender-conforming and LGBTQ2S+ students. Students within the GWED program are located in Prince Albert, Yorkton, and Regina.
GWED 225 is delivered to students using a hybrid model of learning. The course materials and assessments are delivered using an asynchronous model through the Learning Management System (LMS), Brightspace by D2L. However, students within the course meet several times using Brightspace’s virtual classroom streaming platform, Bongo, to discuss fundraising, potential activities and excursions, and to present their capstone projects to their peers and instructor. For the outbound mobility portion of the program, students and SIIT staff will be in-person with technology-enhanced learning.
The course will be delivered to students using SIIT’s LMS, Brightspace by D2L. The course will include print materials, visualizations and graphics, and other interactive resources as instructional tools. The content for the course will be set up as modules and can be located under the ‘content’ tab within Brightspace. To assess student learning, formative and summative assessment tools found within Brightspace, such as assignments, checklists, quizzes, rubrics, self-assessments, and surveys, will be utilized. To engage with students, the course will also utilize Brightspace’s communication tools, which include the virtual classroom streaming platform, Bongo, and Brightspace’s built-in instant messaging, emailing, activity feed, and online discussion board.
Within the course, students will prepare for outbound mobility through SIIT’s curriculum, which was designed in partnership with SIIT Curriculum Writers, SIIT’s Curriculum and Learning department, and SIIT post-Secondary staff. The designated learning outcomes for GWED 225 are the following:
GWED 225 is a pass-or-fail course that will use a variety of formative and summative assessments to properly assess the student’s learning. To assess students formatively, students will complete several polls, surveys, and checklists and engage in discussions that utilize open-ended questions, critical thinking, and reflection and summarization skills. As well, students will complete several summative assessments throughout the course including three reflection journals and a multimedia digital storytelling capstone project. Therefore, students will be assessed using continuous, subjective, and criterion-directed assessments.
I have chosen to use Brightspace by D2L as my Learning Management System (LMS) for this course, as I am quite familiar with the platform, have administration and instructor access, and it is for SIIT, which uses Brightspace as their designated LMS. As well, I want to use this opportunity to utilize more functions and tools found within the LMS that I previously did not integrate into other courses. I needed to create a hybrid course that includes elements of an asynchronous, synchronous, blended, and in-person model of learning. The demographic and location of students that will be in the Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED) program will differ each year, but the materials and assessments will continue to be easily accessible regardless of these factors. Through the creation of a functional, engaging, and easily adaptable course I can remove some barriers and challenges that SIIT’s predominantly Indigenous student population may face regarding international travel and learning.
What are your experiences and perceptions related to your own use of blended learning and/or technology integration in your professional context? What challenges and opportunities have you experienced?
I have a variety of experiences with blended learning in Secondary and Post-Secondary contexts. When working as a Secondary teacher, I used blended learning almost daily in my classrooms. At the time, I was teaching primarily English as an Additional Language (EAL) students. It was critical to use blended learning techniques, as most of the students were at different learning levels. The ability to integrate technology into my daily plans allowed the students the freedom and flexibility to work at their own pace. As well, since the majority of the students were at different places in their learning, it gave me more time to work individually with students, personalize the content, and build a classroom community that thrived on inquiry-based assignments and student-led learning. In order to do this successfully, I utilized the institution’s Learning Management System (LMS), Google Classroom, to create tailored lessons, extra practice assessments, fun surveys and Kahoots, and a discussion board that allowed students, from any level, to ask their peers questions. One of the largest challenges that I experienced teaching EAL with a blended learning model was the time commitment. Since I was not just preparing materials, content, and assessments for one level, but typically two to four, it required more time than was allocated to me during my prep periods. As well, the ability to book and use computers was a challenge since they were in high demand and the school did not have enough for students to use.
Eventually, I transitioned into the Post-Secondary realm and began instructing in the Mental Health & Wellness program at my institution. Unfortunately, I made this transition just as COVID-19 hit. Thankfully, my institution understood the importance of learning in person and adopted a hybrid blended model of learning instead switching to fully online. This allowed me to connect with students in the classroom by holding discussions and debates, but also build content and assessments online using the LMS Brightspace for students to access and work through on their own time. However, as we all know, students get sick. Due to this, I would often have students who could only join our in-person days through Zoom or Microsoft Teams while other students were learning in person. This created a challenge for me since I did not have a microphone, so I was metaphorically tied to the front of the room near my laptop so the students online could hear and see me. Walking throughout the classroom to engage students, hosting fun learning activities like gallery walks, and discussions suddenly became challenging. Students online had difficulties hearing the students in the classroom, information would get misunderstood, and I could see the frustration from the in-person students who would rather be online. Although this particular model of blended learning had its benefits, I found that the challenges outweighed the benefits.
After a year of teaching in Post-Secondary, I was given the opportunity to become a Program Coordinator for Post-Secondary Studies and I oversaw the Mental Health & Wellness and Business Administration programs. As part of my role, I helped assist, educate, and manage the instructors in my programs. Due to this, I was able to witness their challenges and successes with the blended learning model. The majority of the instructors used blended learning in a similar manner as I did when teaching through COVID-19 since we had no other choice. However, once the programs switched to fully in-person again, instructors were able to transition to a blended learning model shown in the video linked here. The instructors were visibly less stressed when the transition happened because they could again focus on student success, instead of being pulled in multiple directions. As well, by this time I had also spent time writing curriculum and assessments for the institution, so I was able to create development course shells on the institution’s LMS, Brightspace, for instructors to export and import into their courses to reduce their prep load. This also helped make the institution’s courses universal amongst their campuses, so students at each campus would be reading the same materials and assessed in a similar way. In addition, the LMS shells strengthened our institution’s articulation and brokerage agreements.
Blended learning can look a variety of different ways and each way has its own benefits and problems associated. Just like how each classroom is different and diverse, there is no set specific way that blended learning must look, which allows instructors to tailor each course for the students that they have.
Kwey (hello) and welcome to my introduction blog post for EC&I 834!
My name is Chantal Stenger and I am of mixed descent, part European and part Wolastoqey First Nations from Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nations. I am a graduate student at the University of Regina taking the Masters of Indigenous Education program. In my professional career, I am the Academic Initiatives Coordinator for Strategic Initiatives at Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). I oversee the Go Where Eagles Dare (GWED) outbound mobility program and engage in internal and external initiatives taken by the institution.
In my professional career, I have had the opportunity to create, develop, maintain, and review asynchronous and synchronous online courses and blended learning courses. Previously, when I was a Secondary teacher and Post-Secondary instructor, I created synchronous and blended learning courses for students in my classes. In my current position, I assisted in the revision of the outbound mobility program by creating a new program that included the development of new courses, syllabi, learning outcomes, and assessments with the implementation of the courses on the current Learning Management System (LMS), Brightspace. By taking this course, I hope to further my knowledge about course development and apply new techniques and skills to my current job.
If you are interested in keeping up with me and my professional career, you can connect with me on LinkedIn.
Woliwon,
Chantal Stenger
(She/Her/Elle)