CUNY Academic Commons

I hear you. It could very well take me a few rounds to go OER on this course.

I think it is natural when designing a new course, to find a textbook, open source or not, to be a big help. Perhaps after teaching the course a few times, that urge to tinker with it and customize it will kick […]

Nice! I’m struggling with the extent to which I’m using OER. I have it for the basic public speaking class because the textbook is relatively inconsequential to what I need them to learn. But as I’m putting […]

This is great, Adele. I’m letting my students lead a class discussion for 10 minutes as an optional assignment (haven’t done it yet), but this takes it to a different level. It’s so hard to let go of control in […]

Hi Ruru! I miss you! Yes, it’s a real shift and I think it’s a good one. Honestly, their performances are as good if not better. Giving 5 points for eye contact doesn’t seem to motivate them or make them do […]

So interesting to read about, Hollis, and glad to hear of the successes so far. I see a similar tension in the use of rubrics in online classes – trying to give detailed guidance to the students but sometimes it […]

Thanks, Eliza. Even better: we coached a student in asking for a raise from her boss and she did it and got it! Come on! She is totally getting her money’s worth!

You know, the speeches do seem better and people are getting them done in a more timely way. But, almost everyone has to do a re-write of their outlines. The good thing on that, is they are doing the re-write […]

Thanks, Brianne. So far so good. I’m feeling more relaxed about it anyway. That has to count for something, right?

Yes, especially because of all the anxiety there is around public speaking. It definitely seems diminished this semester and they think they can get the grade they want. At least that’s how it appears to me right now.

Even though I teach another subject (English), I see real advantages in replacing evaluative measures with performative measures. I can see how that shift would certainly reduce student anxiety and at the same […]

Thank you for this thoughtful description of a student-led discussion!

Yes! Looking forward to hearing how this works. I did something similar in my Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies courses and it feels good. Of course, I will see if it is working when I assess the course […]

That was insightful, Hollis. Thanks for sharing. How are your students responding to this approach? Improved attendance? Improved participation? Improved quality of speeches?

Yeah, we did a role-play with the student who is going to ask her boss for a raise. The students had lots of good coaching tips for her and she’s going to do the deed this semester so she can report back.

Hollis-

This sounds very interesting! I read an article not too long ago that proposed a similar approach, so I’m looking forward to hearing how this unfolds in your classes. I can appreciate your desire to […]

Thanks, Judy! Good to hear from you!

This is a very useful article. Kudos to Hollis for being open to trying something new. My favorite part is including an activity that directly relates to the student. What college student wouldn’t want an […]