Course Development Path to Success
Weekly Update~Summer 2014 Course Development
Weekly Update #8: March 31-- April 6
Getting Ready to Teach: Characteristics of an Effective Online Instructor
Online teaching and learning is a very different paradigm than the traditional face-to-face classroom. In a traditional classroom, the instructor has the role of educator, providing a lecture or demonstration of the material, and other concrete guidance. An online classroom lacks that “presence” and therefore a skillful instructor will guide students to effective interaction with the material as well as to encourage active learning in the social atmosphere of the online classroom.
Creating an interactive atmosphere is a complex skill; that interaction, however, is often the most exciting element for students as they work through an online class. Many techniques can foster this kind of interactivity:
- A warm welcome email, announcement or post. This goes a long way to front-loading the feeling of comfort and safety that is necessary for students to be active in the class.
- A short bio and an invitation for students to introduce themselves to each other by sharing their bio. Students want to know their Instructor and it is important to allow it. There needs to be a comfortable balance between privacy and self-disclosure, but some self-revelation on the part of the Instructor helps a student be open to the lessons being taught. A student should be instructed to share only what they are comfortable with.
- A short explanation about how to proceed. It is not helpful to assume the students will see the order in which they are to proceed just because the items are listed in a certain order. An online class can look like a jumble of words and links to someone who has never seen one before!
- A question forum for the students to ask general questions. Make sure students are encouraged to be open about their questions because other students may have the same question. But at the same time, make sure they know they can send a private e-mail or message for questions or concerns they do not want to share with the class.
- Remain accessible to students by communicating frequently throughout the discussion forums, posting regular announcements, and reminding students that he/she is available for one-on-one discussions (via phone, chat, or web-conference).
- Project a high-level of warmth and friendliness in all classroom interactions realizing that words and messages can be perceived differently online than in person. Capital letters are like shouting. Using a red color also seems angry or brash. Sarcasm or jokes can easily be misinterpreted online. Instructors should model proper netiquette.
Content Adapted from Teaching and Learning Initiative
Week 8 To-Do's
2. Consider creating a brief video that introduces yourself to the student. The visual editor in UBlearns is equipped with a tool called "Video Everywhere" which allows you to easily record video using your webcam and embed it into UBlearns. Free screencasting tools also allow you to easily create videos and share with your class either via a link or embedded in your course. See the resources below for more information or contact your instructional designer for assistance.
3. Think about the ways in which you will maintain a sense of instructor presence in your course. Will you participate actively in the threads? Will you record videos that introduce the content or that present new material? Peruse the articles and slideshow below for additional ideas.
Next week we will complete the course set-up process by copying your content into your Summer course shell.
Resources
View the Tools section of the BPP (located in the main course menu). Open the "Video/Screencasting Tools" folder. Here you will find extensive resources for creating videos and sharing them with your class.
Further Reading
Faculty Focus: Creating a Sense of Instructor Presence in the Online Classroom
Journal of Online Teaching and Learning: What the Best Online Teachers Should Do
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 • 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
381 Baldy Hall, North Campus
Access all previous Path to Success e-Newsletters:
Weekly Update #1: Getting Started
Weekly Update #2: GSE Course Template and Syllabus
Weekly Update #3: Focus on Course Design
Weekly Update #4: Course Materials
Weekly Update #5: Assignments and Assessments
Weekly Update #6: Focus on Community
Weekly Update #7: Personalize your Course
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