-
Learn about the system that you will be using for your online course well before the course begins.
-
Expect to spend more time in online teaching. Remember that everything you would naturally say in a regular classroom now will be typed.
-
Send an introductory email message to your students before the course begins. This message can include general information about the course as well as specifics of how to connect to the online course, how to get required course materials, and any other instructions to help them get started.
-
Provide students with information on how to get help, both technical and course related. Provide contact information for you and other staff including phone and fax numbers in case technical difficulties prevent students from connecting to the online course.
-
Be clear and concise in your written instructions. Use short, cohesive statements and ask direct questions.
-
Establish deadlines and timelines and set clear goals and expectations for submitting assignments and online participation. Let students know when they meet the goals.
-
Establish guidelines for how much interaction you expect in online discussion including beginning and ending dates for each discussion and how to respond to each topic. Frequent online interaction helps to keep students motivated.
-
Find ways to insert your personality into the online course. The online environment can be isolating and uncomfortable for students. They need to feel your presence and will be more likely to complete the course if you are "visible" online.
-
If you plan to use synchronous chat to address content then prepare questions for students to consider before the chat is scheduled. Find ways to structure the chat sessions to encourage quality participation.
-
Keep meticulous records - You may want to keep a separate folder, diskette or CD on each student; definitely keep ALL assignments and e-mails until the term is over. You may need this documentation if grades are appealed.
-
Keep in touch with students. If you haven't heard from them in a week contact them by phone, if possible. Personal contact is critical.
-
Constantly encourage students to contact you for help, and suggest other ways to get help online. Create Help topics in the discussion room where students can post questions about assignments. More student-instructor and student-student contact encourages students to complete the course.
-
Remember that students must take an active role in the online course by independently taking responsibility for their learning. Develop activities that encourage active involvement.
-
Be sensitive to different communication styles and varied cultural backgrounds. Remember that students may have different language skills, and that humor is culturally specific and won't be perceived the same way by all.
-
Use study questions and other organized activities to encourage critical thinking and participation by all students.
-
Ask for student feedback regularly during the online course. Student feedback will help you understand challenges faced by students and make adjustments to your online format.
-
Be aware that student participants will have different learning styles, and that the online environment may present challenges for some of these learning styles. Develop activities to allow for various learning styles.
-
Use a variety of instructional strategies as motivational tools to encourage active online participation. These might include:
-
Use World Wide Web resources to enhance course materials. Use search engines to locate interactive web sites, online books and other resources that can be used for student assignments and easily accessed by them.
