This example looks at a multiple section course in which the instructors work together on course prep. There are both asynchronous and synchronous components and faculty bring some students into the in-person environment with remote technology.
Course type
Principles of Economics
Examples
Econ 121
Class size
25-30, Multiple Sections
Room capacity
<=10
Asynchronous
Mostly asynchronous video lectures approximately 15 minutes
Synchronous
Synchronous classroom activities. Mixed discovery activities, short clarifying presentations by instructor, flipped classroom format
Assessments
2 midterm exams + Final Exam
Assignments
Daily homework submitted electronically in pdf form. As an alternative, an online homework grading system could be used.
- Moodle
- Zoom
- Electronic Whiteboard (either in Zoom or as a stand-alone app such as Jamboard
- Faculty and each student has some sort of writable screen with a stylus. For example, iPad with Apple Pencil, Surface with stylus, etc.
- Swivl camera for the classroom.
Since this is a multiple section course, there are several instructors involved. They will all share in the preparation of the asynchronous content. Generally, this means preparing 1-3 small video segments which present the daily content in chunks. It will be expected that the student will watch the videos prior to class time. Each instructor will lead a synchronous classroom session. As well, it would be reasonable to expect that they share in the preparation of classroom materials.
Option A: During class, all students are present either in the room (if allowed)
or via Zoom. TA monitors Zoom conversation to see if there are questions.
If possible, all remote attendees’ faces are displayed in
the screens/monitors in the rooms. The instructor is mic-ed and is tracked using a swivel camera (which follows the instructor as he/she moves around). The instructor uses the electronic whiteboard which is shared with all the students.
Class time can be spent on an initial activity following up on the
asynchronous content. This can mean “worksheet” prepared as a pdf
Document. All students, including those present in the classroom, work in small Zoom Breakout groups, reading from the same worksheet and filling in responses to the questions/problems. Students work together via a shared whiteboard.
The Zoom session is recorded.
Option B: Class divided into sections (M, W, or F, OR T or Th).
Class in-person meetings are synchronous, and are in the form of a flipped classroom in which students and professor work together solving problems that apply the economic principles discussed in the asynchronous taped “lecture”.
Sometimes, the entire class is conducted remotely.
Is flexible. Easily migrates to “all online” if necessary. If the situation allows, it would be easy to include more face-to-face portions.
- Relatively high degree of technical dexterity
- Uniform hardware/software for faculty and students
Teaching assistant