Part+2+-+Observations

Artifacts from both my VHS course and my face to face classes.

=Getting to Know Each Other=

** Acrostic Introductions **
Students create an acrostic using their names and personality traits. This is a good way to introduce themselves and also to start thinking about personality traits. [|Acrostic Instructions] [|Examples]

** Homepage Bingo **
During the first week students create their homepages as a way to get to know each other. Week 2 begins the academic content but I think it's still important to allow students an opportunity to continue to learn more about the classmates. This activity encourages students to visit those homepages one more time. [|Homepage Bingo Instructions] [|Homepage Bingo Examples]

** Drawing Students Into a Discussion **
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I present the link to this video in the Week 2 - Research discussion forum. In my post I ask:

//Based on your reading of research strategies, what flaws can you find in Dr. Verkman's methods?//

The students love it and, more importantly, come up with the correct flaws!

**Creating a Connection Between the Teacher and Students**
This is a Guided Relaxation podcast I created for both my face to face psychology class and my VHS class. While it can stand alone as an activity in the Stress and Health unit of psychology it also works to make a connection between me (as an online teacher) and my students. I think that hearing my voice gives me more of a presence. The next time they see me post an announcement or a comment in the discussion forum they will remember my voice.

media type="file" key="Guided Relaxation - Unwinding.mp3" width="240" height="20" I just used this last week in my face to face class and the students were a little wary. Once they tried it they couldn't wait to go home and download it to their ipods.

**Helping Students Navigate in Wikispaces**
Helping students feel comfortable using new technologies is important in creating caring classroom setting. I cringe each time I hear myself on these screencasts but at some point you just have to stop editing and let it go! I can also use these as teachable moments by letting students hear my fast talking and Philly accent :-)

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** How to Sign Up for a Project and Create a New Page in Wikispaces **
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