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TEACHING BLOG
Online instructors and students are NOT expected to be in their online classes during this period. NOTE: These days are NOT part of the blackout time for part-time instructor work, however, so you may choose to work and report your hours as usual on these days. Since the Module 11 deadline falls during this break, we strongly suggest that you extend the deadline for your Module 11 topics and quizzes, to allow students some extra time to complete and submit their work. (How much additional time you allow is up to you.) Course Topics 1. Navigate to your Current or Pending Topics page (depending on when you make this change), and click the "Edit" link next to any topic you want to update. Global Topics 1a. Navigate to your Global Topics page, and use the dates interface to make your updates. The topics are automatically updated with the new dates you enter. And don't forget to let your students know about this schedule change (by posting an announcement or creating an informational topic — or using whatever means you prefer to communicate important information). The Gradebook, which launched in Summer 2018, is now active in more than 400 classes. We've noticed a few questions coming up over and over, so I'm going to answer them here. A: This is an important question! If the Gradebook has not been activated in your class, you cannot yet use it. You can find out by checking your Course Home/Syllabus page. Open the grading tab and check your grading breakdown. If you see a colorful pie chart there, then — in most cases — yes: your class has the Gradebook! Please note: There are a few online classes that have the new pie-chart breakdown without an active Gradebook. You can double-check to make sure your class has the Gradebook by looking for the Class Grades Matrix. (See, below, My class has the Gradebook, but where is it?!!) If you only see a list of categories and percentages, then the Gradebook is not yet active in your class. Talk with your academic director if you are interested in using the Gradebook next semester. A: The Online Teaching Library has lots of training materials available for the Gradebook! A: When people ask this question, they're usually looking for the Class Grades Matrix. Option #1: There’s a link on the Section Grades page. From the Enrollments section of your Home page, click the Grades link. The Section Grades page opens. Click the link to Class Grades Matrix. Option #2: There’s also a link on the Student Grade Detail page. From your Home page, click the Grades link. The Section Grades page opens. Click the Detail link for any student. The Student Grade Detail page for that student opens. Click the link to Class Grades Matrix. Option #3: There's another link on the Progress Grading interface. During a progress grading period, click the Submit Grades link under the Enrollments section of your Home page. The Progress Grading interface opens. Click the link to Class Grades Matrix. A: Overall grade calculations are performed only during a progress grading period. You can see them on the progress grading interface or on the Student Grade Detail page – but not on the Class Grades Matrix. Keep in mind that the Matrix is only a report. It reflects the information you have entered and calculates average grades for each category and each assignment. Once you enter progress grades, these will be displayed on the Matrix, as well. At present, the Matrix cannot calculate an on-demand overall grade for a student, but we hope eventually to add this feature to the Gradebook functionality. A: Yes! Beginning this semester, students can see the pie chart and the rest of their grade calculation information when they check their progress grades. RETURN TO: Online Teaching Library: Blog | Home Here are some guidelines: If you live in an affected area yourself, please contact your department as soon as possible. Your director may need to make arrangements for a temporary substitute, if you are unable to teach your class. Do you have our app? Online Education has developed Classes, an updated app for students and faculty, where they can check all things Academy-related. As of January 2018, the Classes app now includes the shuttle schedule previously found on the Student/Campus app, along with course information, online classrooms and student grades. Download the app for iOS or Android today — and tell your students about it! #1 – Review the most recent updates to the online learning system. #2 – Get familiar with the Academy's Online Teaching Standards. New standards were established in Spring 2017, so make sure you are familiar with the current expectations. Review the list and download the rubric to help you assess your own effectiveness as an online instructor. #3 – Review the Workday requirements for reporting your hours (for part-time employees only). #4 – Plan your time: Review & download the Online Module Calendar for this semester. #5 – Clarify and post your expectations. #6 – Make your class student-ready. Review and edit your topics, as needed. Learn more: Setting Up Your Discussion Set up personal topics for your students, if your department requires this. Learn more: Project-Based Classes What if... you want to encourage students to discuss each other's work? Try Creating a Private Office where students can contact you about personal issues and concerns. Extend the close date for all your Module 1 and 2 topics to the end of Module 3 (9/30), to accommodate any students who register after the semester begins. Learn more: Welcoming your new arrivals #7 – Get students talking Personalize your "Welcome" topic and add an icebreaker (or create a new topic for your icebreaker). Learn more: Icebreakers & Refreshers Introduce yourself via video — and ask your students to do the same. Learn more: Connecting with your students via video You might also consider tagging all your students in this initial post. Learn more: More tips for tagging Make it easy for students to engage by posting optional topics where they can share initial ideas about the class. Learn more: Discussing "First Impressions" #8 – Take care of administrative tasks. Update your contact information in WorkDay. Contact HR (hr@academyart.edu) to update your contact information in the Academy's official record, if needed. Set up Easy Grade Pro with your new class roster. OR, if your class is using The Gradebook, familiarize yourself with its features. Request that a virtual office in Adobe Connect be set up for you (onlineoffice@academyart.edu). Attend a workshop on "Teaching in your Online Office." Learn more about Teaching in a Virtual Office. #10 – Get some support. Contact Jenny Michael (jmichael@academyart.edu; 415-618-3547) to make an appointment for one-on-one support. Check out our growing list of Common Teaching Problems (and their solutions) Post a question (as a Comment, below).
The Academy will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from Thursday, November 22, through Sunday, November 25.
2. Change the close date and due date (for assignments). Then click the "Submit" button to post your updates. 
1b. Alternatively, you can click the "View / Edit" link next to any topic you want to update. 
2. Change the close date and due date (for assignments). Then click the "Submit" button to post your updates. 
Happy Thanksgiving!
Q: Do I have the Gradebook in my class?
Q: How can I learn how to use the Gradebook?
Q: My class has the Gradebook, but where is it?!!
Click to enlarge.There are links to the Matrix from three pages:
Q: Where can I find my students' overall grades?
Q: Can my students see their progress grade calculations?
Teaching online this fall? This checklist will help keep you on track.
(Classes began Thursday, 9/6. Fall Art Experience classes begin Saturday, October 6.) 
IMPORTANT Our thoughts are with our students and their families impacted by Hurricane Florence. If you have students who are affected by the storm, please make every effort to reach out and support them.
PLEASE NOTE: This semester, the Thanksgiving holiday runs from Thursday, November 22, through Sunday, November 25.#9 – Set up an online office (optional).
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Teaching Library OverviewIn this library, you will find a wide range of resources to support your work as an online instructor at the Academy of Art University, including:
Learn more about what's available here by watching our tutorial. The Online Teaching Library will grow over time, so please check back often to see what's new here. Browse the Online Teaching Blog
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About Me
I’ve been training and supporting online teachers at the Academy since 2004. In 2018, I began working with onsite instructors, as well. My focus is on ensuring the success of our teachers. I've developed numerous resources for online instructors, including trainings on Course Development and Teaching Online, workshops (online and in-person), along with this library of teaching materials. I also created and managed the online mentoring program — and I have taught online myself. I earned a Ph.D. in Folklore & Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania. My particular areas of interest are in traditional art and other aspects of material culture, including foodways, dress and adornment. I also hold a Master's degree from U.C. Berkeley and a B.A. from Stanford University. I have taught numerous courses in folklore, anthropology, American studies, and writing at various institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, University of Delaware, Drexel University, Indiana University, University of San Francisco, and U.C. Berkeley. Want to get in touch with me? Here's how:
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12 Comments
Christine Hanlon
This is great Jenny! I love the new organization and the recent postings...thanks and I look forward to checking in during the fall. Also really like the suggestions about wrapping up the semester.well. Great picture of you as well!
Jennifer Michael
I'm glad you like the changes, Christine! And thanks for the heads-up about the access issues. I don't understand what the problem is but will check back with our tech guru to see if we can figure this out...
Jennifer Michael
I think we have sorted out the issue! If anyone is still having problems seeing the images here, please post a comment or drop me an email: jmichael@academyart.edu. Thanks!
Molly Flanagan
Nice, visual approach here! I love the ability to get the headlines or dig deeper. Constantly evolving.
Molly
Tina Sweep
Nice work on the revised Layout and design Jenny. It's great to have immediate access for all of the newest content. With such a wealth of information keeping it organized makes all the difference, you're amazing!
Michelle Kennedy
I love this! Really great visuals and wonderful information!
Ellen Sears
Jenny, thank you for the suggestions about inviting student feedback. I have always done this but from a narrower perspective. Just putting it out there and asking directly, " How can I do better?" is great! In the interest of full disclosure, I used your questions and created a new topic that will be open for Modules 14 and 15.
Ellie
Jennifer Michael
I will be interested to know how that works for you, Ellie!
Floyd Byars
I too appreciate the idea of inviting student feedback. I know they grade us in their own way and understanding their perceptions has to help one teach better. I wish I had done that directly in my classes last semester on site. Instead, I just tried to wheedle it out of them....
Natalia Calle Giraldo
I love all this information because help me to understand what to expect from the instructors! Such a great resource!
Thank you Jennifer!
Henning Knoepfle
Hello everyone, I am just playing around with the new interface to get familiar with it.
Unfortunately the Markup window stays blank and nothing happens with the page, the only way is to click back to the previous page. I am on a Mac using Safari. Does anyone else got the same problem? Can you offer solution or suggestions?
Thank you,
Henning
Jackson Riker
Hello just getting started here but I see the 24 hour support will help me sleep well