Check out this exciting new resource in Moodle that's designed to help prepare your students to take either a blended or online course. Everything from learning how to use digital tools to time management skills will be reviewed.
By Tom Jennings
How do we ensure that this new generation of online learners are getting the same quality and personalized learning experience as our traditional students? One step is to make certain that those students are connected with the resources they require to have an effective learning experience. Over the course of the 2015 Spring and Summer semesters, Associate Provost for Online Learning, Dr. Laura Martin, organized a group that developed and launched the Online Student Readiness Series. This group of online teaching faculty, students, administrators, and FCPE collaborators developed a set of resources to prepare online students with the essential skills needed for a successful online course experience.
The group developed a set of resources and organized the content into these topic modules:
- Hello and Welcome (Online Course Expectations)
- Technology Basics
- Course Technologies
- Learning Online
- Research and Writing
- Professionalism
- Nuts and Bolts
- Getting Help
Each topic module includes a list of expectations, a quick and informative video, relevant resources and information, and a culminating quiz to test what the student has learned. The core content was developed by the group, combining official Adelphi policies and resources with information faculty members found essential for online student success. These modules cover topics ranging from accessing basic course technologies to how students should conduct themselves in the online classroom environment.
Introduction video:
All of the video components were created internally at Adelphi. FCPE team members, Tom Jennings and Robbie Lucia, collaborated with Dr. Laura Martin and her student workers on the video and Moodle development. To keep the content engaging, the group produced a combination of live action videos using student actors and animated videos. The video scripts were written by Dr. Laura Martin and the FCPE media team. Special attention was given to adhering to university policy and procedures. The live action videos were recorded at Garden City campus locations and feature talented student performers from Adelphi’s Performing Arts program. The animated pieces were created internally using the PowToon platform. These videos introduce the topic and provide key information. “Most of my students are coming back to the academic environment for the first time in years and are utilizing this learning technology for the first time. Having these videos available is a wonderful addition to help them become successful in the online learning environment,” said Meghan McPherson, MPP, CEM, adjunct faculty in the entirely online MS in emergency management program.
This PowToon animated video provides students with basic information regarding online course expectations:
The self-paced Moodle course also utilizes some of the new features of Moodle 2.7, such as Activity Completion settings and Badges. The activity completion check boxes allow students to track which resources they have used and by completing a module’s culminating quiz, students receive a corresponding badge within their Moodle profile.
Badge for completing the professionalism module:
Students and faculty can access and utilize the Online Student Readiness Series at any time by clicking the ONLINE STUDENTS button on the Moodle home page.
Access is always available on the Moodle home page:
If you encounter a student that is learning online for the first time, or could use some additional guidance, direct them to go through the Moodle course or highlight specific modules that may be of assistance to their online performance. To see if your students have been utilizing this, you can check their Moodle profile pages to see which badges they have received. This is a great way to introduce your students to the online learning environment and prepare them for success in your classes!
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director
p – 516.237.8634
e – twilson@adelphi.edu