An online opportunity for students to confess concerns about the course, fellow peers, provide suggestions, and overall comments. Confessions are managed through an online Google Form. The form contains the words I must confess with a text response box and submit button. The results of the form are collected anonymously within a Google Spreadsheet. Before class, I create a PPT slide with the confession and associate it with an image. The first 5 10 minutes of class is dedicated to the confession allowing students an opportunity to respond with comments or suggestions. This has been an amazing way to hear the student s opinions of the course throughout the semester instead of at the end of the course via official UH course evaluations. This also allows the instructor the opportunity to tweak the course as needed. 1
I mentioned to the class that I am happy that my personality comes across in the videos and that the videos are not dry and boring. 2
Several students disagreed and loved working in their groups. As a class we discussed the pros and cons of working with others on a common goal/assignment/purpose. We also discussed strategies to improve communication, work load, etc. 3
Students confessed about another class. After discussing with the class, I realized that the instructor kept the assignment open for interpretation to allow more freedom on how the assignment is to be completed. Students understood but wanted more structure. I guided students to suggest some more direction from their instructor. They took the advice and the instructor accommodated fairly without sacrificing any objectives/goals. 4
Students confessed about another class. After discussing with the class, I guided students to suggest some more direction from their instructor. They took the advice and the instructor accommodated fairly. We also discussed the importance of reflection. Several students understood the reason but just hated the routine. 5
This assignment was regarding the Google Document group assignment template. There is a reflection piece on the template that confused this student. The majority of the class disagreed and thought the instructions were very clear but we worked as a group to see if there was a way to make the instructions fool proof. An added word or two helped to clarify it even further. 6
Immediately after reading the confession out loud, students disagreed. Most mentioned that they have never heard or used the tool. I reviewed how a flipped classroom is to operate lectures/ tutorials online and homework/activity in person. Students mentioned that this student could have just simply fast forward the video or not watch it at all if they are so familiar with the technology. Most also mentioned how useful the videos are for them. 7
The student approached me after class and mentioned that they just submitted the following confession: My group locked me out of the document the night before it was due. I'm unable to edit for some reason. Won't respond to my comments, chats (even though I saw someone working online), or blackboard discussion posts. It's surprisingly ironic how unforgiving or understanding teachers can be. This was an assignment, not a three week project. It would have been nice to have been able to do my work. This just hasn't been my week and it sucks that I am seen in a light that doesn't represent my true work ethic. We had a nice chat. I explained that everyone drops the ball sometimes and it should not be the end all, be all mark on your character. Sometimes things cannot be controlled and before someone judges they should try to figure out what happened. I asked the student what was done to inform the group of the situation. The student mentioned that he tried to contact them online several times but no one responded. I suggested to perhaps speak with them in person or write an email to help them understand that it was not intentional. Afterwards the student, decided the confession online was no longer necessary. I asked permission to still share it with the class as a shortened version because it is a great discussion topic to mention as a whole group. He agreed. 8
Several students sympathized. We discussed how stress may be a catalyst for bad habits to develop. Students discussed some strategies to manage stress in a healthy way. I urged students to not develop bad habits because of other people! 9
Everyone agreed with the meme associated with this comment. I informed students that their other courses will have group work assigned. It is part of the teaching profession. With practice students may be able to foresee technical issues, come up with Plan B communication strategies, etc. I asked the class if there were any strategies used to help prevent any negative experiences. One student mentioned that they knew they had a student that procrastinates. Therefore they came up with a punishment system: If a person does not do their load of the project, they will have to buy coffee for everyone in the group since they all had to work harder to make up for their lack of participation. I asked the student if it worked, and she said YES! 10
A fun confession that related to another course. The students taking that same course agreed with the labels and found it so great that they took photos of the slide. 11
Everyone crack up at this confession. I reminded students that my course exposes them to popular technologies used in the school districts. I further explained that even though I force the technology tool to be used, at least it helps to establish an opinion of the tool and develop skills to use it. I surveyed the class. This semester it appears that ½ of the class enjoyed using Prezi. Those that did not like it, I asked them when they started to work on their Prezi. Most said the night before. I then proceeded to share that some technologies may not come as easy as others. Early discovery of the tool is necessary. 12
After reading the comment, I shared with them the YouTube video of the meme (https://youtu.be/tp8rb7uzhki). We had some great laughs. In all several students disagreed with the comment. Those that agreed mentioned that they waited till the night before to create their Prezi. Some mentioned that they are so trained with the linear tool and square ness of PPT that it was hard to think differently. Some mentioned that PPT is so much easier. I then mentioned how PPT is a good Plan B as it also supports texts, video, animation, images, transitions, hyperlinks, background audio, and voice narration. 13
This confession was about another class. Students mentioned that my course is very structured and would like to see other COE courses structured in a similar way. I discussed with students how learning management systems (such as Blackboard) allows instructors to customize their course layout/structure but that simple web development strategies should be applied such as three clicks or less. Additional clicks indicates that the information is too buried. As the Instructional Designer for the college, I reassured students that one of my goals is to guide instructors to standardize materials from course to course (within the same program) and to apply 3 clicks or less strategy. 14
The cohort has really developed a close friendship. I asked students what things needed to happen for the instant connection with everyone. Students mentioned two main items had to happen. (1) Positive personalities and attitudes (2) GroupMe app. The app allows everyone to communicate often, share photos, create events, use as emotional support, assistance, etc 15
Students in the class found this confession funny and sad at the same time. The majority had positive group work experiences but completely understand the frustrations if even one person falls behind in their collaborative efforts. 16
Majority of students related to this confession. As a class we discussed how taking breaks is healthy. Some students mentioned that perhaps the main issue is successful time management. Two students shared strategies that has helped them develop a healthy work/life balance. Students realize that solutions may not apply to everyone but there are things that can be done to make it easier to manage. 17
The class immediately had an idea of who this confession was directed towards. The student in question was not in class when the confession was discussed. I confessed to students that I had to look up the word salty in the urban dictionary it refers to someone that is not sweet, a person that is negative and bitter, not pleasant to be around. I asked the class What made the student salty? One replied He was always like that and he was a fake all along. He started out nice and friendly but it was all fake. I asked the class to imagine if the salty person was one of their own Middle School students. What would you think then as a Middle School teacher? What questions would you ask yourself if a personality of a student suddenly changed? Several responded with: Issues at home. Family death. Illness. Medical Issues. Friend issues. Series of unfortunate events. Depression. I then asked the class, what would be the next steps as a teacher to further investigate. The class responded with: Don t make assumptions. Speak with the student. Provide support and positive responses. Talk with the school counselor. I then requested the class to apply those same strategies in this situation. Work towards understanding their colleague before placing judgements. 18
The class laughed and agreed with this confession. They understood that the hardest part of a presentation is to write the content and they are happy we forced them to write a word for word script that can double as part of their Research Paper and to beat some student procrastination. I also informed the class that the script is to (1) help support any peers that may have hearing disabilities, (2) if the audio is poor in the presentation the script would be used as a Plan B, (3) help identify key points to highlight in the presentation with supporting materials, images, videos, etc. 19
Students believe this confession was focused on the end of the semester madness when several projects, presentations, and final exams are due. They expressed difficulties on how to handle it all. Students shared some suggestions and I also added one. I suggested students (if time allows) to work on all the easier projects first. Get those assignments done, and focus the rest of the time on the harder projects. It will help to feel a sense of completion seeing that long checklist get shorter quicker which makes things more manageable. 20