Instructor Posting Canned Material
During my six years of teaching I have saved some material so I can reuse it from class to class. I recently took a class and found out that the instructor did the same thing except she didn't bother to read what she was posting and some of the information did not apply to us. It was very irritated so we would email her to ask for clarification and then she would send an email to all the students letting us know about the correction.
I think saving canned material is a good idea but instructors still need to read that material before posting.
Robert,
I have also noticed a substantial number of errors in answer keys and such in many of the test banks. When you upload a test bank and don't review the materials, and have 2-3 errors on every quiz or test, students also start to question the material and instructor.
Herbert Brown III
I also agree that providing "canned material" for future classes surely saves time, but this material must be reviewed carefully and modified for each subsequent class. If not, the instructor appears uninterested and disengaged- a killer for any course, be it traditional or virtual.
Mike,
I do use some pre-canned, publisher materials. I usually use the test banks and such as formative assessment elements, not as the primary assessment tools. I also select the questions and REVIEW them to make sure they do not have errors and pick the questions I feel best represent what I am doing with the class. Most of what I do is project-based so students can demonstrate the skills and I don't use much in the way of pre-scripting teaching materials. If I use them it is usually more as a supplement.
Herbert Brown III
This can save a lot of time, but often if not prepared correctly can give off the sense to students that the course is pre-scripted and canned as well. What are some of the things that everyone does to address this?
Kenneth,
Canned materials, if professionally developed, can save an instructor a fair amount of time with the course content basics. However, be aware that even professional materials (such as test banks) have errors. You do need to carefully review what you are using. Even more important is the need to build in more "interactive" elements and assignments and opportunites for students to share and connect with other students, as well as the instructor.
Herbert Brown III
I believe that canned material can be used as long as we make sure it is updated and that we also do our best to individuaklize the response to the student. We want the student to know that we are reading their replies and responding to them, as a student, and not just fulfilling requirements.
Ken
I have been teaching online for 19 years, and the use of so-called canned or bank material is a huge time saver and it can allow for much more feedback to the students. However, there are two major components to this type of feedback that must be included if it is to be 100% successful:
(1) The instructor must adjust the feedback post to the individual problem the student has with an assignment when necessary. While approximately 70% of comments can be used as is there is another 30% that must be tweaked or adjusted to meet needs to fully covered by the pre-prepared comment. The bonus: this allows the student to feel as if the instructor is definitely writing comments fore him or her, not just for anyone. (And my suggestion: ALWAYS include at least one post that has-been tweaked thusly; this will also give the impression the instructor is talking directly to the student.)
(2) Nearly all comments should have three parts: an indication something is wrong, telling the student why it is wrong, and giving the student suggestions on how to get it right. This allows for the comment to be carried beyond the assignment, beyond the course, beyond the school.
Eleanor,
I agree, it is very important for faculty to keep all of their materials current. That is a little easier for me, as I typically teach technology-oriented topics and as fast as technology changes, I am always updating. Proofing is very important, if you don't the students will for you. Students will often associate sloppiness with poor academic credentials of the faculty.
Herbert Brown III
I agree that some canned materials are useful, especially when the materials have a proven history of effectiveness when teaching certain points/topics. Having said this, I still think its important to review and update that "canned" material periodically. There may be the need for changes in language (based upon current trends in the academia and popular culture)and periodic assessment assessment of the potential continued effectiveness. Rereading the material before posting is an absolute necessity.
Jodi,
This type of error done on a regular basis can reduce the perceived competence of the instructor. But we all have to learn that lesson at some point we are not perfect.
Herbert Brown III
