Mid-Semester Strategies for Supporting Students
The following strategies can be used to support and engage students with a focus on those approaches that can be impactful during mid- and late-semester activity. Please contact us with any questions or for individual follow up: fctl@eku.edu.
1. Incorporate select synchronous components into fully online classes. Students need a semblance of connection; it can be challenging to build relationships in the asynchronous instruction environment. The Noel Studio has provided helpful tips for teaching online and learning in the online space. However, should you choose to incorporate additional synchronous components to your fall classes, please be mindful that students’ schedules are set. Meetings should be flexible, such as expanded office/student hours, or student sign-up for small-group meetings, even if occurring only semi-regularly.
2. Use feedback on student assignments to build relationships, not just to assess content. Incorporate reflection assignments regularly in order to give students the opportunity to explain how the course is going. Respond to student work with compassion and encouragement. Recommendations for student engagement and collaboration are available here.
3. Give students specific, frequent, individualized feedback on what they can do differently or better to improve their performance in the class. Students need concrete information when day-to-day activities can feel abstract and disconnected. See “How do I improve my grading?” here and “Enhancing Teacher Presence” here.
4. Record and post a short screencast video that explains “how Blackboard is used in this course,” which students can return to throughout the semester. Among other software, you can use Zoom to record.
5. Collaborate within a department or a college to create uniformity in Blackboard design and procedures for student use. Courses with large numbers of first-year and sophomore students share design guidance with college advisors, the Noel Studio for Academic Creativity, and the Success Center.
6. Post weekly or regularly occurring screencast videos that walk students through a week’s work or a new assignment. You can use Zoom or other software to record these. More information about screencast and screen capture software is available here.
7. Use the Announcements function on Blackboard to remind students of approaching due dates. A guide for using Blackboard Announcements is available here.
8. Use the “email this student’s instructors and advisors” link on the class roster to talk with colleagues about any student who seems to be slipping through the cracks. Instructor and advisor communication can be critical to identifying issues that are resolvable in our efforts to support student success.
The Noel Studio offers faculty consultations for anyone interested in discussing strategies or resources.