A perpetual challenge we (instructors, instructional designers, teaching assistants, learning engineers, educational technologists, and anyone learning online) encounter with online teaching and learning occurs in the absence of live engagement: how do we facilitate and engage meaningful exchanges within the classroom when there are no classes or classroom? (For the sake of brevity, I am …
Loyola has adopted Simple Syllabus as a new platform for storing and displaying course syllabi, effective Summer 2024. This new system maintains a repository of all syllabi to meet accreditation requirements and provides a searchable resource for students looking to review future courses. Simple Syllabus simplifies the process for faculty, allowing you to upload your …
When Charles Schulz introduced the world to the beloved characters of Peanuts in 1950, he captured the essence of childhood, friendship, and the trials of growing up. From Charlie Brown’s perpetual optimism to Lucy’s bossy demeanor, each character brought a unique perspective to the challenges of school life. But how would these iconic figures adapt …
There is a greater need than ever for flexible and easily accessible learning environments. Cloud-based learning can be valuable in this instance. The adoption of cloud computing fundamentally alters education by enhancing accessibility, scalability, flexibility, and efficiency of learning. When we speak of “the cloud,” we mean an online network of servers used for data …
Creating a survey in Qualtrics is easy but making it visually appealing and engaging takes a bit of extra effort. A well-designed survey can significantly boost response rates and ensure that participants have a positive experience while providing the data you need. Here are some tips on how to dress up your Qualtrics survey to …
This blog post is about collaborative learning, the new and improved VoiceThread, and the elusive sweet spot between collaborative learning and collaborative overload in which students receive the most impactive and effective learning experience. Collaboration is often cited as a key component of effective learning. It encourages teamwork, enhances communication skills, and fosters a …
Change is on the horizon for Loyolans’ Sakai experience. Read on for a preview of the new and improved features making their way to your web browser in December 2024. Most notably, Sakai 23—the version Loyola will implement on December 19th, 2024—changes the way faculty, staff, and students will access their courses. “Pinned” and “recent” …
Collaboration, teamwork, community: these terms are familiar across disciplines and industries, and often, they reflect organizational values and goals. Collaboration is supposed to be a worthwhile practice for the benefit of the stakeholders involved. And yet, why do students dread group projects? As a lifelong student and instructor of adult learners, let’s together consider the …
Data-driven decision-making is becoming increasingly important across many sectors, including education. As an instructor, you might have come across the term “learning analytics.” But what exactly does it entail, and how can it benefit faculty and students? Read on to gain a better understanding of what learning analytics encompasses and how it may boost your …
In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, online courses have become a cornerstone of learning, providing flexibility and accessibility to students worldwide. Amid this shift, the role of multimedia in online course design has emerged as a key factor in shaping engaging and effective learning experiences. Enhanced Engagement and Retention Multimedia elements, such as …