"

Chapter 5 Learning Activities

Stevy Scarbrough

The purpose of these activities is to help you navigate learning management systems and other technology used for taking online courses.

LO1. Apply the Plan-Monitor-Evaluate Model to an assignment in one of your classes.

LO2. Demonstrate how to use 3rd party apps for assignments in the LMS.

LO3. Evaluate your readiness to take online courses.

LO4. Demonstrate that you can access your copy of Microsoft Office 365. (Adjust this based on what word processing programs are used at your institution)

LO5. Discuss a tool, tip, or trick for using the [your school’s] LMS.

Activity 5.1 Plan-Monitor-Evaluate

Choose one of your classes in which you have completed at least one exam or quiz or have an exam or quiz coming up and use the Plan-Monitor-Evaluate questions below to gain a deeper understanding of what you are being asked to learn in the course.

What class are you going to evaluate?

 

Planning(What do I need to learn?)

  1. What are the Learning Objectives for this class?
  2. What do I already know about this topic?
  3. What are the concepts I need to master before my next test?
  4. Planning(How am I going to learn the material?)
  5. How can I integrate textbook reading with lecture notes?
  6. Will I study alone or with a study group?
  7. What memory strategies can I use to remember key words and concepts?
Monitoring(How am I doing at learning this material?)
  1. What concepts do I understand well?
  2. What concepts are still confusing for me?
  3. Can I explain the material to someone else without referring to notes?
  4. Am I using the supports available to me (e.g. office hours, tutors)?
  5. How can I make this material more personally relevant to me?
Evaluate(Did I learn the material effectively?)
  1. To what extent did I meet the Learning Objectives for this unit?
  2. What in my exam preparation worked well?
  3. What in my exam preparation did not go well? What do I want to change?
  4. How did my exam answer compare with the suggested answer? What key components did I miss?
  5. How will what I have learned help me in my next courses?

Activity 5.2 Using Technology

[Instructors: Tailor this activity to specific 3rd party tools that are most common at your institution. Have example assignments, videos, etc. that students can practice using to help familiarize them with those tools. I have included the tools that are most common at my institution below as an example.]

Using Panopto

Panopto is a video lecture tool used by many instructors on campus. It has features such as built in quiz questions and tracks viewing time for each student. Please watch the Panopto lecture below and complete the quiz in it to demonstrate your ability to use this tool.

To see the Panopto set-up as I describe it in the video, you will want to click on the “Watch in Panopto” arrow at the bottom right of the video below. If you prefer the format shown here, you can leave it “as is” and still have access to the features discussed in the video. You may also need to sign in to Panopto using your student account.

Post example video here

Using Padlet

Padlet is another 3rd party app used by instructors. It is like a digital bulletin board where you and your classmates can post and share ideas, pictures, videos, links, or documents all in one place. It’s super easy to use,  you just click and start writing or uploading. Think of it like an online wall where everyone can contribute, kind of like a group chat, but more visual. Please post an image with a short introduction to demonstrate your ability to use this tool.

Post link to Padlet assignment here

Using Perusall

Perusall is an online reading tool that lets you read textbooks or articles with your classmates, kind of like an online group study session. As you read, you can highlight parts and leave comments or questions. Everyone can see each other’s notes and reply, so it’s a great way to help each other understand the material better. Your teacher can also see your comments and sometimes give feedback or grades based on your participation. Please go to the Persuall example article and select part of the article and make a comment on it to demonstrate your ability to use this tool.

Post link to Perusall assignment here

Activity 5.3 Online Course Readiness Assessment

[Instructors: I have included a pdf copy of the assessment. However, I would recommend setting it up using the quiz function of your LMS.]
Please take the Online Course Readiness Self-Assessment to determine how prepared you are for taking online courses.
Then answer the questions below:
  1. What are the reasons you will take online courses?
  2. Based on your assessment results, how prepared are you for taking online courses?
  3. List all of the recommendations you were suggested on the assessment for how to increase your readiness totake online courses.

Activity 5.4 Accessing your Free Copy of Microsoft 365

[Instructors: This activity is meant to help students find and use the word processing tools/apps that are provided to them. At my institution, students are provided with a free copy of Microsoft 365. However, your institution may use other programs or not offer students access to programs. My alternative suggestion would be to have them demonstrate how to use Google Docs or some other equivalent word processing program. I have listed the instructions I use below to give you an example of what this activity looks like.]
All students are given access to download and install a Free Copy of Microsoft 365. Please follow the instructions to download and install your copy. Then access each of the apps listed below as you will likely be asked to use these for many of your classes.

Word

Open a new document in Windows and type your name, major, your favorite activity, and your favorite food.Then take a screenshot of your document and paste it below.

Example

screenshot of a Microsoft Word document
Figure 5.11 Example showing how to use Microsoft Word program

PowerPoint

Open a new document in PowerPoint and type your name, major, your favorite color, and your favorite animal.Then take a screenshot of your document and paste it below.

Example
Screenshot showing a Microsoft PowerPoint document
Figure 5.12 Example showing how to use Microsoft PowerPoint Program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity 5.5 Tips and Tools for Using the LMS Discussion

Do a Google search of “[LMS] tips for students,” “[LMS] tools for students,” “Using [LMS] for students” or a similar subject search. Additionally, please peruse the following Student Guide on the [LMS] official site:

In your initial post, you will discuss 1 of the tools/tips/tricks you found in your Google search. Make sure you describe what the tool/tip/trick is and why it should be used/followed? Then discuss one of the “How do I…” links from the [LMS] Student Guide, explain how to use this feature and/or what it is. Please make sure you are not sharing resources that another student has already posted about.

Read the initial post of three of your peers, then add your reply by clicking the reply button. Please make sure you follow the Netiquette guidelines post that you read in the Course Info page. Your replies should be thoughtful, encouraging, and between 50-150 words in length.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Chapter 5 Learning Activities Copyright © 2025 by Stevy Scarbrough is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book