During the transition from traditional classroom learning to online classroom formats, the faculty of the University of Wyoming has shown innovation in lab class and student teaching programs.
A number of undergraduate and graduate faculty members have incorporated unique and creative learning techniques in order to provide similar learning outcomes for students enrolled in lab and student teaching courses.
UW Associate Vice Provost Anne Alexander said she and faculty alike want to make this work for students.
Lab classes encompass hands on learning techniques that may be difficult to replicate from a remote course format, but Alexander said the approaches taken by faculty have been very different in order get the most out of the remaining time in the semester.
“We’ve seen an incredible amount of creativity and innovation among our faculty to try to help students get the most they can from the time we have left in the less than perfect circumstances we have to do this in,” said Alexander.
Students and teachers were asked to adhere to the protocol set by their chosen host school. However, K12 schools have closed across the nation but student teachers will continue to learn regardless of closures.
“The departments and colleges who oversee the student teachers have put together online course components to help them complete all expected learning outcomes from the experience,” said Alexander.
Alexander said some of the approaches taken by instructors of labs have been different than others as they spent a significant amount of time creating learning material.
“For example, in the LIFE program, they spent a significant amount of time over the extended spring break coming up with demonstrations to film and load up for students to watch so they can understand a particular lab technique. Others are doing something in real time,” said Alexander.
UW Institutional Communications stated in a recent news release that the approximate 1,000 faculty members teaching courses have been forced to become especially creative. Professor Doug Russell has taken the approach of instructional video to his “Drawing I” and “Drawing II” sections of the course, according to UW Institutional Communications. He said he hopes that students can learn the specific physical skills required to succeed in his courses.
“Everybody is rising to the challenge,” said UW Faculty Senate Chair Ken Chestek in a recent news press release. “I’m confident our students will receive good instruction, and we will come out of this with good results at the end.”
