A varying mix of in-person and online instruction.
Challenge of Mixed-Mode
Arguably one of the most challenging modes of teaching delivery is via mixed-mode or blended learning. In this model it is expected a number of students will attend the class remotely (synchronously or asynchronously) while students will also attend face-to-face on campus. It is important to become familiar with the varied tools the school has provided to help make sure remote and on campus students receive a quality learning experience. It is equally important that faculty have the opportunity to teach effectively and comfortably in this mode.
(a)synchronous Video
With this in mind we have a similar range of tools and resources available to assist you. Use of synchronous and asynchronous video through Zoom or Google Meet, inclusion of pre recorded video and audio in a suitable learning or publishing platform, the placing of course materials, tasks and assessments in online, accessible spaces with adequate understanding of requirements and rubrics for online course work are also key.
Customized Classrooms
Through our work with faculty over the past several months we now have a more detailed understanding of the issues faced when simultaneously teaching in-person and to a remote group. Our IT colleagues have customized classrooms to include large video monitors and in situ camera tech to help with inclusion of remote students in as natural a way as possible, e.g. via large monitors placed alongside those physically present, both faculty and students are able to participate in a more seamless and stable offline-online experience. To complement this setup classrooms have been augmented with high quality ceiling microphones, thereby hopefully illuminating one of the hindrances of remote engagement – poor quality audio. In addition to these methods faculty may also choose to customize written input for the group via projected and broadcast tablets such as iPads, or through dedicated cameras focused on in-class whiteboards. It is important that written, spoken or visual clarity is maintained in order to ensure immersive and connected experiences. Alongside technologies that hope to eliminate synchronous quality and engagement issues, successful mixed-mode classes should also leverage many of the tools utilized above in other teaching modes, such as offline video, collaboration, discussion and interaction approaches.
Instructional Platforms
NYU Shanghai supported instructional platforms alongside dedicated RITS, Library or IT staff are at hand to help assist you in designing immersive and connected experiences, often using a basket of tools and approaches to good effect. For example, the utilization of audio-only materials can be of great use, or well designed offline resources and tasks, such as collaboration or critique of subject/ peer content using tools such as Voicethread. Additionally, via peer work between remote and classroom based participants, as well as leveraging remote students’ immediate environment, city or town through experiential approaches can help alleviate isolation or disconnectedness.
Experiential Learning
RITS can help you design rich experiences or assist with ideas for task building and participation amongst your students. A rich offering of in-class as well as remote use of VR and AR content as well as methods to allow creative projects involving emerging technologies such as 360 video creation, virtual computing, virtual field trips, and games-based learning can be employed to help with your classes and to bridge some of the difficulties in reaching disparate groups of learners in difficult circumstances. The RITS team also offer extensive experience in integrating digital mapping tools and approaches, as well as data analysis, visualization and computational. Alongside partnerships with departments and schools across the NYU global network we can help with integration of a wide range of digital scholarship approaches in order to help make your class a success.