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Steps for Online Teaching Success
Initial Response is Critical
Send each student (first day of class)
an initial e-mail outlining the course and your expectations (and
welcoming them) in addition to the URL for the class and login
& password when appropriate.
Establish CLEAR Expectations
Students want to know what is expected of them each week make
sure your Assignments, Lectures and Course Documents
are clear, understandable and concise. A brief audio podcast orientation is a great way to reinforce your course expectations and it gives your students a sense of who you are.
Establish specific goals and objectives
Try to distribute (balance) your course material (content) evenly over the course of the 16 weeks and establish specific learning
goals for each week (module) and incorporate accountability and assessments
for learning that material.
Eliminate ALL Gray Area from Course
Make sure students can't interpret assignments in different
ways. I learned this the hard way don't assume
the students know anything about the course content. Don't be
vague in how you write your Assignments or directions for discussions
and homework. Make sure external links are functional
and course content is current.
Maintain Seamless and Fluid Communication
Use the various communication tools on the Blackboard
to maintain fluid communication with all your students.
This can make or break an online class. Online students
want to know their instructor is responsive to their questions
and concerns. This is especially critical the
first few weeks of the class.
Stay on Task
The Blackboard is your forum for keeping students on task and
answering questions, inspiring, and insuring they are accountable
for the work, no matter what that may be. It is your
job as facilitator to guide the discussions back on topic
if they get off track or task.
Engage, Inspire and Challenge
Devise teaching strategies that enable you to
infuse your personality into the course. Make an effort
to incorporate your enthusiasm and passion for your subject
matter into the fiber of the class.
Accountability is Key
It's important to expect your online students to be ACCOUNTABLE
for the course material. I do this in our weekly discussions
and homework assignments sent to the Blackboard Drop Box Discussion board and/or e-mail. Assignments and discussions should not be open ended . How do you assess learning has occurred in your online course?
Follow-Through on Your End
Simply put, do what you say you are going to do when it comes
to grades, discussions and feedback. Don't be afraid
to use viable shortcuts in your online classes.
No need to reinvent the wheel every semester when it comes to
engaging students in weekly dialogue or sending out homework
feedback.
Give Viable Feedback
Students like feedback! This is a given and it doesn't take much extra effort to post an announcement explaining how you came up with the grades and/or post feedback into the Assignments Manager..
Post Announcements Regularly
Keep students informed as to what they just learned,
what they are going to learn and any special announcements that pertain to the course material like field trips, specials on TV or books and videos on reserve in the library. I also like to add pictures and graphics to my announcements to grab their attention.
Share in the Learning Journey
Lets face it, we as teachers are constantly learning
as well. I can't tell you how much I learn from my students
so be open (and receptive) to what students have to offer in
the learning process and let them know in subtle ways that you
are on the learning journey as well, even though you are the
guide / facilitator, keeping an open mind to new ways to
view or discuss the material makes for healthy debate.
Be Flexible
There will be times students run into personal problems
so try and be flexible with homework deadlines if
and when a student has a viable reason for missing a deadline.
This takes the stress level down a notch for both teachers and
students.
Importance of Good Visual and Instructional Design
Your web pages should all incorporate solid design strategies
that have visual impact, focal points and a
visual hierarchy that directs (navigates) your online students in, around and through your Assignment, Lecture and various course content pages.
Make it FUN!!!
I try to have some fun with my students in the context
of learning ? there are many ways to do this. Be creative
and remember it is ok to have a sense of humor.
Your students will appreciate it!
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