Tonight after another fun day at the beach with Amada and Aurelio… I decided to watch a session by Carrol Warren, Michelle Bartlett, and James Bartlett colleagues from North Carolina State University. This recorded Lilly Conference online 2021 session was entitled “Bringing Online Course Design Forward: Applying Across all Disciplines.” I was actually part of a reading circle with Carrol Warren last semester! Warren talked about re-envisioning synchronous and asynchronous online course design. Warren mentioned how the pandemic caused her to re-think online course design and include more “flexibility, target deadlines, asynchronous options, opting out of team projects.” Warren wants to aim for a balance of the structure from courses she taught pre-pandemic and the flexibility she incorporated recently. Warren pre-arranges breakout rooms for networking and allowing quiet space. I love the idea of the extra rooms for quiet space! Warren teaches in a cohort-based program, and this space for community was very important. I also agree with Warren that this past year has raised awareness of resources and support services that students can benefit from. Setting clear expectations is always critical, and Warren tells students when teamwork will be required and engagement with others is needed for successful completion. Warren would create an agenda with expectations and send out to the class before class. I have wanted to create a GoogleDoc they can copy with the weekly expectations. Michelle Bartlett spoke about being mindful about what tools we are using and why. Bartlett uses DotStorming, Padlet, and GoogleSheets for crowdsourcing information. M. Bartlett brings in virtually guest speakers and has practical assignments. James Bartlett spoke about partnerships that could be continued virtually to allow students to participate in networking and professional development opportunities. Interestingly, many students, according to James Bartlett, were still able to continue internships virtually during the pandemic. James Bartlett also talked about being able to reach more students in the expanded redesigned online course delivery. The presenters concluded by encouraging instructors to think about what flexible online course design we will take moving forward, regardless of discipline. I have been watching and listening to several sessions about online course design and always appreciate what Michelle Bartlett and Carrol Warren share. The messages are clear, and the tools they share are simple and very useful. Even today, I learned about designated networking and quiet space rooms.
