The Challenge:Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology (BIOS E-1A), co-taught by Professors Casey Roehrig and Zofia Gajdos, focuses on principles of cellular biology. The course is part of an introductory series of courses that fulfill medical school requirements for one year of introductory biology.
The course typically has high enrollment given that it’s a core requirement for medical school and is part of several Extension School degrees and certificates. A challenge of teaching this course is balancing the demanding nature of the course content with the number of students. Providing ways for students to feel motivated, bring the course content beyond the classroom, and monitor their own learning were important aspects Professor Roehrig wanted to create for her course.
Community is an essential piece of your course. It builds student engagement, persistence, and increases the potential for student success. Developing student community might be a natural process in an on-campus classroom. Students can talk to each other before class starts, turn to their neighbor when working on class activities, and can check in with the instructor after the class is done. But what happens when some or all of your students are joining your class are online?
Building community in an online course is even more essential to student success. Online students can feel isolated or frustrated when there are no easy ways to connect with their instructor or their peers. But, creating a learning experience beyond watching videos or sitting in isolation necessitates purposeful planning in your course. Here are some ways to create community in your course:
After the semester ends, students will be asked to evaluate their courses confidentially. You will receive a link to your course feedback via email once the evaluation period ends. Evaluations are a great way for you to get a sense of your students’ experiences and shape any future courses you may teach at the Extension School. But, it can also be nerve-wracking to read feedback on something you’ve spent a lot of time on and is close to your heart.
Reading your course evaluations doesn’t have to be a painful exercise. Here are some ways to make the most out of student feedback for your future teaching:
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Imagine for a second that you’re trying to teach a kid how to ride a bike. You explain the mechanics of peddling and balance. You sit with them on a park bench and watch other bikers ride past. Then you put them on a bike and ask them to ride.... 
Give your students the opportunity to present their work and give feedback to each other through Zoom or discussion boards. Bringing student presentations online gives each students more time to give and receive thoughtful feedback.