The purpose of this workshop is to explore digital tools that can be used to facilitate communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity for online students. We will look at a variety of tools and examine how they can be used for formative learning activities as well as assessments. Participants will be given the opportunity to explore specific websites and applications, reflect on current practices, and consider the benefits and limitations of use. We will also address concerns for implementation, such as evaluating non-traditional assignments, guiding both tech-savvy and tech-wary students, and other issues, such as copyright and privacy concerns

1. My Toolbox is Full!
How, Why, and When to
use Digital Tools in the
Online Classroom
Kelly Warnock
ETUG Conference
May 13, 2014

2. Presentation Outline
1. Foundations of Teaching and Learning
2. Digital Tools Exploration
3. Resource Sharing
4. Benefits and Limitations

3. Setting the stage…
What knowledge, skills, and
attitudes are required for the
21st century?
What makes an effective
learning activity?
How do we measure learning?
How can digital tools facilitate
effective learning?

4. 21st Century Skills
undergrad.wayne.edu
• Critical Thinking
• Inquiry
• Problem Solving
• Application
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Digital Literacies
• Decision Making
• Communication
• Global Awareness BLOOM’S TAXONOMY

5. Back to the Basics
esthersuantak.wordpress.com

6. Learning Outcomes
http://www.ecvet-toolkit.eu/site/introduction/howdoesecvetwork/ecvetandlearningoutcomes

7. Choose Your Verbs Wisely!
tech2040.pbworks.com

8. Verbs to promote
critical thinking
sites.stanford.edu

9. www.ljhammond.com
ASSESSMENTS:
Making Connections
LEARNING
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENTS
LEARNING ACTIVITIES

10. A+
Formative activities and assessments
are important for students to know
what they are aiming for.

11. Feedback in Formative Assessment
www.stemresources.com

12. Examples of Formative Assessment
Diagnostic Tests
Observations
Peer/Instructor Review
Practice Questions and Self Tests
Self Reflection, Discussions
Practice Exams and Presentations
Research Proposals
Draft Essays

13. Types of Assessment
Tech-based
Essays
Tests/Quizzes
Discussions
Journals
Group Projects
Presentations
Research
 Websites
 Blogs /E-Portfolio / Wikis
 Social Media
 Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
 Multimedia Production
 Videos, PowerPoint, audio
 Engaging Activities
 Simulations
 Webquests
Familiar

14. Why Assess Differently?
http://searchingeyes.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/assessment-comic-climb-tree.jpg

15. Approaches to Learning
From: http://introductiononlinepedagogy.pbworks.com/w/page/20123560/Teaching%20Multiple%20Learning%20Styles

16. Universal Design for Learning
apasick.wikispaces.com

17. What makes a good learning activity?
• Activate students’ prior knowledge
• Make clear and engaging
• Involve students in the topic
• Make personally relevant
• Apply to a real life situation
• Facilitate higher level thinking
• Students construct and evaluate new
ideas
• Opportunities for feedback and
improvement

18. Reflective Questions
 What types of activities and assessments
do you have in your courses?
 Is there a balance of formative and
summative activities/assessments?
 Do your activities/assessments promote
21st century skills?
 How can you use digital tools to engage
students and enhance their learning?

19. Now for the Digital Tools!

20. Digital Toolbox
Please Google:
TRU KUMU digital toolbox
 http://kumu.tru.ca/Documentation:Digital
_Toolbox
Wikia digital toolbox
 http://digital-toolbox.wikia.com/
wiki/Digital_Toolbox_Wiki
Weebly digital-toolbox
 http://digital-toolbox.weebly.com/
 Or kellywarnocksteachingportfolio

21. DIGITAL TOOLS
FOR STUDENTS
 Communication
 Collaboration
Wikis, blogs
 Critical thinking
& problem-
solving
surveys
 Creativity
FOR INSTRUCTORS
 Course development
Content, assessment
 Media Resources
Images, Videos
 OERs
 Teaching
Feedback, tutorials

22. Effective Teaching
allthingslearning.wordpress.com

23. The 21st century teacher
should be able to:
1. Create and edit digital audio
2. Create screen capture videos and tutorial
3. Use videos, images, and infographics to
visually stimulate students
4. Use social bookmarking to share resources
5. Use blogs and wikis to create online
platforms for students
6. Detect plagiarized assignment
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/33-digital-skills-every-21st-century.htmlcreateyournextcustomer.techweb.com

24. The 21st century teacher should be able to:
1. Use polling software to create surveys
2. Understand issues related to copyright
and fair use of online materials
3. Use computer games for pedagogical
purposes
4. Use digital assessment tools to create
quizzes
5. Use note taking tools to share content
6. Use online graphic organizers
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/33-digital-skills-every-21st-century.html

25. Types of Assignments
Blog /
Wiki
Essay /
Report Practicum
Interview Hands-On Test/Quiz
Discussion Presentation Project
Simulation Journal Multimedia
Production

26. How Can You Use Digital Tools
to Meet Your Learning
Outcomes?

27. Websites:
Blogs
USES
 Personal journal
 Reflective reading
 Portfolio
 Class discussions
 Resource sharing
 Learning Management
System
EXAMPLES
 Blogger
 WordPress
 Tumblr
 Blogsome
 Blogetery
 Blogster
Blog: a website with
frequent, periodic posts
creating an ongoing
narrative.

28. Education Blog

29. Wikis
USE
 Collaborative workspace
 Resource Sharing
 Knowledge management
Organize data
 Database/Encyclopedia
 Note taking
EXAMPLES
 Wikia
 WikiSpaces
 MediaWiki
 Blackboard Wiki
 WikiEducator
Wiki: a website which allows its
users to add, modify, or delete
its content

30. Wikis

31. E-Portfolios
USES
Collect
Select
Reflect
Connect
EXAMPLES
Mahara
Weebly
WordPress

32. E-Portfolios

33. Social Media
USE
 Resource Sharing
 Surveys / Polls
 Collaboration
 Publish
 Discussions
 Network
 Optional
Assessments
EXAMPLES
 Twitter
 Facebook
 LinkedIn
 Delicious
 Flickr
 Pintrest
 Tumblr
interactions among people in which they create, share, and
exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and
networks

35. Assignment Examples Using
Social Media
http://kcsdiglibrary.weebly.com/blooms-digital-taxonomy.html

36. Surveys

37. Polls

38. CREATION
1. Slideshows (Prezi, Photopeach)
2. Graphic Organizers (Visio, Cacoo)
3. Photos (Pintrest, Museum Box, Photoscape)
4. Audio (Audacity, Soungle, Freesound)
5. Video / Digital Storytelling (Go Animate,
StoryBird, Camtasia, Animoto)

41. Timelines
http://www.preceden.com/

42. http://cashstudios.co/Infographic-of-Infographics
Infographics

44. a pinboard-style photo-sharing website that
allows users to create and manage theme-based
image collections such as events, interests, and
hobbies.

45. Storybirds are short, art-inspired stories
you can make and share on any device.

46. Media Production Examples

47. Time to Dig into that Toolbox!
1. Choose a tool
2. Use it
3. Evaluate it
4. Create something
5. Share what you’ve learned
nolimitstolearning.blogspot.com

48. Reflection
What are the benefits of using
digital tools?
What are the limitations or
challenges?
How can you overcome these
challenges?

49. Using Digital Tools in Assessments
Challenges /
Limitations
Benefits
Motivating
Student
Choice
21st Century
Skills
Privacy
Technology
Marking

50. Motivation

51. http://joshbersin.com/2010/07/12/how-people-learn-it-really-hasnt-changed/
Enhances Learning

52. Digital Tools that Facilitate
Critical Thinking
digitallearningworld.com

53. CHALLENGE:
How do I mark that?

54. SOLUTION: Rubrics
Definition:
A standard of performance
Benefits:
Clarity for instructor and students
Directions
Expectations
Objective marking
Easier to mark and record

55. Essay Rubric Score
Content: Summary
 Includes all important ideas (use quote/paraphrase/summary).
 Demonstrates a clear understanding of the ideas in the readings.
/10
Content: Analysis
 Shows critical thinking.
 Has specific supporting material: facts, examples, quotations, paraphrased
or summarized information, etc.
/10
Organization
 The essay follows an outline (introduction, body, & conclusion).
Introduction:
 Begins with general sentences & ends with a thesis statement.
Body:
 Each paragraph has unity & begins with a clear topic sentence.
 Each paragraph has coherence & uses transitions.
Conclusion:
 Summarizes the main points or paraphrases the thesis statement.
 Begins with a conclusion signal and leaves the reader with the writer’s final
/5
/5
/5
/5

56. Discussion Rubric
Criterion-referenced assessment
• Evaluating performance based on clear and
measureable objectives

57. Blog Rubric

58. Twitter Rubric

59. CHALLENGE:
Privacy
www.someecards.com

60. Blogs
(Private or Public?)

61. CHALLENGE:
Intellectual Property
definingnewmedia.com

62. SOLUTION:
Follow the Policies &
Give Students Choices

63. CHALLENGE:
Bridging the Digital Gap
thesocialmediatrainee.wordpress.com

64. SOLUTIONS:
Tech support
Tutorials & training
Peer Support
Student Choice
Other…

65. CHALLENGE:
Faculty Buy-in
aalhe.org

66. • Impacts heavily on student satisfaction.
• Communicates on a more personal level
• Presents tone
• Motivates students
• Informs students how to improve
• Forces students to listen to all of the feedback,
not selecting only the sections they desire
• Provides an alternative to often ineligible
handwriting
(National Student Survey, HEFCE, 2007)
http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/guide/audio-feedback
SOLUTION: Tell Them Why
Why Use Audio Feedback?

67. Twitter in Higher Ed
Uses
Benefits
 Tweet during learning activities
 Tweet summaries of class discussions
 Tweet comments and reactions to class presentations.
 Improves peer dynamics
 Facilitates debates &
discussions
 Allows people outside of
class to join discussions
 Encourages instructor/
student interactions
Limitations
• Distracting
• Tech for tech’s sake
▫ Connect to learning
outcomes
• Learning curve
▫ Difficult for digital
immigrants
Source: http://www.adelinekoh.org/blog/2012/09/18/twitter-in-a-higher-education-classroom-an-assessment/

68. SOLUTION: Show Them How
Sample Digital Portfolio Screencast

69. TRU Tutorial - Acrobat Comments.pdf
Using Audio Feedback in
Blackboard Learn

70. CHALLENGE:
Technology / IT Support
actionbash.com

71. SOLUTION: Tutorials / IT Support
http://www.tru.ca/distance/services/student-orientation/blackboard-tutorials.html

72. CHALLENGE: What else?
mlabs.boston-technology.com

73. Final Reflections
1. Foundations of Teaching and Learning
2. Digital Tools Exploration
3. Resource Sharing
4. Benefits and Limitations

74. Contact Information
For references, questions, ideas, please contact me at:
Kelly Warnock:
kwarnock@tru.ca
kellywarnock@hotmail.com
250-852-6336