Author: Jennifer Parker

Specifications Grading: A Method to Improve Student Performance

Last revised: 10/07/2021 by JP

Overview

Are you looking to increase student motivation and the quality of their academic work? If yes, consider specifications grading.  According to Linda B. Nilson, Ph.D. the traditional higher education grading method is broken and specifications grading offers a solution with benefits for both students and faculty. Nilson published her seminal work, Specifications Grading: Restoring Rigor, Motivating Students and Saving Faculty Time, in 2015.  Since then, faculty have adopted her method, including some at UConn.

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Collaborative (Group) Learning, Example Uses and Supporting Technologies

Last revised: 05/12/2021 by JP

Overview

Collaborative learning, also known as group learning, is an opportunity for students to develop higher-order cognitive skills; promote connection and community; innovate; and engage with different perspectives. There are a handful of UConn supported technologies that enable student collaboration in online courses. Beyond those, there are many applications that faculty can use for free or purchase a single-use educational license and integrate with their HuskyCT site via Learning Tool Interoperability (LTI). This article shares examples of both.

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Competencies for Online and Hybrid/Blended Instruction

Last revised: 10/24/2022  by jap

Overview:

What does an instructor need to succeed with an online or hybrid/blended course? The UConn Competencies for Online and Hybrid/Blended Instruction provides twenty-seven competencies to inform and self-assess against. The UConn Competencies for Online and Hybrid/Blended Instruction tool serves as an instructor self-assessment. The second edition takes into account developments in higher education instruction since the COVID pandemic.

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Design: Using a Course Design Plan

Last revised: 02/03/2020 by jap

Overview:

This article introduces using a course design plan for the Design phase of the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate) instructional design model. It also emphasis how using a course design plan can help meet Quality Matters’ design standards.

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Performing a Quality Matters Self-Review

Last revised: 8/20/2018  by ess

Overview:

As a subscribing Quality Matters (QM) institution, UConn encourages faculty to perform (at minimum) an “unofficial” QM Self-Review of their online and blended courses.  This article details the steps for completing a QM “unofficial” Self-Review and where to seek further information and assistance.

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