LearningTimes Green Room

Susan and Dan respond to a question from a listener regarding authentication of online students.




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Show Notes:

Susan and Dan respond to a question from a listener regarding authentication of online students.

Thanks to listener David White from Missouri State University, who asked about authentication in light of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. One of the clauses in the act requires institutions need to verify the identity of the students taking online courses. What does that need to look like?

In researching the question, Susan and Dan found David Eubank’s blog helpful. Look for the piece called FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) from March 2009. David unpacked the problem and reminded his readers that it is up to the accrediting agency to make sure the institutions it accredits have a process to authenticate their learners, and right now a password protected environment is sufficient.

Has anyone heard from their accreditors?

So the practical question is about what we do on a day to day basis?

• Break assignments into smaller pieces
• Get to know the student work so you can determine a change in writing or performance

What about testing?

• Writing the test knowing that students might look up resources.
• Making questions application and not just facts
• Proctoring (What about the military or those who are overseas?)

Dan shares his business situation and a high stakes situation. If you don’t pass the tst, you cannot purchase the franchise.

The two end with a conversation of how to approach a student who submits work that is inconsistent with prior performance.

You can offer your thoughts and ideas on this topic by using the “Comments” link below or talk to us in LearningTimes. Or call us at 1-800-609-9006 x8055 (US and Canada) or 678-255-2174 x8055 (outside US and Canada). Join us!

Susan and Dan talk about time management. They share their own personal struggles but offer solutions and thoughts about how this relates to online teaching, learning, and work in general.

Download MP3 File

Show Notes:

In the spirit of keeping things short, these notes are abbreviated.

Faculty:

Organizing is the underpinning.
Schedule time to work on the class.
Establish a routine.
Deal with the unexpected (acknowledge and then come back later, if that works for you).

Students:

Look for private correspondence from instructor
Check the gradebook
Check the discussions to see where you might contribute
Establish a routine of what to do when you get into the course on a regular basis (similar to faculty)

Anyone:

Prevent time loss from following additional links and resources by putting those links somewhere and following up later.
Block out time for reading.
Save files and repurpose when you can

Corporate Side:

Use the mobile phone judiciously
Continuous partial attention – not a good thing
Focus and block out distractions
Self-awareness; knowing your peak
Make the tools serve you

You can offer your thoughts and ideas on this topic by using the “Comments” link below or talk to us in LearningTimes. Or call us at 1-800-609-9006 x8055 (US and Canada) or 678-255-2174 x8055 (outside US and Canada). Join us!