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The University of Akron
Public Administration
Level of Course:
Graduate
Instructor:
Claudia J. Coleman
Course Subject:
Public Administration
Number of community participants:
Unknown
"Due to the infrequency of class meetings, once a week, I was looking for a way to keep students engaged from one meeting date to another. I found that posting short videos and articles and launching polls keeps students engaged and actively involved in the course during the times we aren’t together."
In February of 2018, Dr. Claudia J. Coleman presented to faculty on her use of Yellowdig in courses within the Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies. Dr. Coleman uses Yellowdig as a way to create "icebreakers" for learners in the beginning of a course. She also finds Yellowdig is a great way to segue from topic to topic throughout the semester.
By The Numbers
+ Inolvement
Of Students
+ Prepared
For In-Person Class
1
Times a Week the Class Met In-Person
Results
"So, how do I use Yellowdig as an ice breaker? Many students in my class don’t know each other. Yellowdig is a great way for students to introduce themselves. When students introduce themselves in class, they are so focused on what they will say, that they aren’t listening to others. In addition, students are inclined to share more information about themselves in written form, than verbally. Yellowdig also allows them to post photos of themselves, family members and their favorite pet. You get a much better sense about a student when you read their personal introduction versus hearing it."
"My posts have included videos about women’s rights, featuring Malala Yousafzai, to one on why we have too few women leaders by Sheryl Sandberg (chief operating officer at Facebook). Students are encouraged to comment. A favorite and unique feature of Yellowdig is that it issues points to students when they posts, and tracks them throughout the course. Points are used to boost grades."
A sample of scrolling through a Yellowdig community.
This was transcribed from a presentation by Claudia J. Coleman, PhD in February of 2018 from The NEXT Conference: New Explorations in Teaching with Technology
Students learning from each other takes on another dimension. The feeling of isolation and anonymity is reduced and a shared sense of purpose and community develops. For me, the tool to create segues and icebreakers is Yellowdig
~
Dr. Coleman
About the Instructor
Claudia J. Coleman
Ph.D. (The University of Akron), M.A. (The University of Akron), B.S. (Central State University)
Assistant Professor
As a Faculty Member of the University of Akron, Dr. Coleman taught graduate courses in the department of public administration and urban studies.
About the Institution
The University of Akron
The University of Akron is a vibrant community within metropolitan Akron, with more than 80 buildings on 218 acres. UA is a vital urban research university inspired by its people, its promise and its place. We are firmly anchored in a great American city, and driven by collaboration, partnership and a steadfast determination to provide opportunity and success to all learners (https://www.uakron.edu/about_ua/).
