1. Teaching In Focus - 2016 A fully on-line version of NATS 1880; Trials and Tribulations Michael De Robertis & Paul Delaney Faculty of Science, York University

2. Background: NATS 1880 6.0 – Life Beyond Earth (13 Chs) Science behind search for life elsewhere 500-700 non-science students; many “science phobic” 2014-15 - Hybrid format (Moodle); ½ lectures, ½ group work Videos, slides, M/C assignments

3. Reformation I: (2015-16 fully on-line) 520 students started, 480 finished Intro Videos (course, syllabus, each Chapter) Quiz 0 – Course Essentials Quiz (must score 100% to proceed) Full suite of learning objectives IQs (Important Questions) for each Chapter Camtasia-narrated slides with periodic comprehension quizzes (every few slides) “So you really want an A” (enriched material)

4.  Screen Chapter sample (add in tonight say Chapter 1)  I don’t think this works well… fonts too small to get an entire chapter on the page. Besides, we have a pretty good description of a standard chapter already

5. Reformation II: (2015-16 fully on-line) Generation of interactive and informative SCORM packages Activities: 6 IAs (Individual writing Assignments) 6 GAs (Group writing Assignments) Chapter Completion Quizzes Face-to-face midterms & exams (each term)

6. e.g., Drag and Drop

7. Interactive

8. Video

9. Reformation II: (2015-16 fully on-line) Generation of interactive and informative SCORM packages Assessment Activities: 6 IAs (Individual writing Assignments) 6 GAs (Group writing Assignments) Chapter Completion Quizzes Face-to-face midterms & exams (each term)

10. Challenges: Major: Group Work 6 students/group (Moodle) Discussion forum for each group Rotating facilitators Mandatory self-assessment Attrition, dysfunctional groups, personality conflicts, plagiarism, mediocre results…

11. Moving Forward (I): How to better engage students online? Discussion Forum not very useful Generate a Wiki glossary of terms How to enhance the group experience? Teach students how to approach a group assignment and how to work effectively within a group

12. Moving Forward (II): Additional explanatory and enrichment materials (videos, simulations) Additional navigational videos Incorporate Moodle rubrics Improve multiple-choice questions Improve TA training