‘The Pivot’ — Moving Studio Classes Online During a Pandemic

Abstract

Due to pandemic restrictions, three semesters of coursework were moved to 100% virtual instruction using learning management systems (LMS). The opportunity for constructing rubrics that are linked to program-wide SLOs and course-level SLOs, and aligned to individual assignments and productions now exists. Even as coursework pivots back to hybrid and face-to-face/hands-on instruction, the use of aligned rubrics deployed across multiple online sections of a course would allow for much more efficient and effective data collection and analysis across multiple sections and years. This research will examine the process of creating, deploying, and using rubrics in proprietary LMS systems such as Blackboard and Google Classroom, and open-source LMS systems such as Moodle and Sakai. Beyond virtual learning, it will explore how physical productions in the field can use aligned streamlined rubrics, and how rubrics for interactions in synchronous virtual class sessions such as Zoom and Collaborate Ultra can be constructed and used to measure peer feedback. The practice of sharing data across departments and institutions will be explored, and some of the challenges and opportunities of big data analytics will be examined. The outcome is expected to be applied to periodic program reviews and QM strands for online and blended course design and construction. Potential curriculum redesign and streamlining will be explored and linked to contemporary research in higher education and industry-standard technical updates.