Surviving Teaching Online Courses

Successfully Surviving Teaching Online

Discussion boards, online grade books, virtual office hours, and drop boxes, what am I doing- and what is most important?

These are just a few of the terms and issues online teachers must cope with as they blaze their path through the world of online teaching. This article provides 7 strategies to accelerate your progress and success.

Teaching online courses is not the same as face to face instruction. Even though we have vast experience in the traditional classroom, we have to rethink how to accomplish many of those same positive results and interactions in a virtual environment. This article provides 7 strategies to help every instructor start off on the right virtual foot.

Strategy 1 It’s Personal.

Just like classroom instruction is unique to your teaching style, so is online teaching. Do not feel pressured to teach online like everyone else because no one has the corner on TRUTH in this area. We are at an exciting time of continuing development. Therefore, find small and big ways to express your teaching style in the virtual environment.

Strategy 2 Develop A Learning Community.

Invite students to post their photos or favorite slogans to create a composite class photo. This strategy goes a long way towards developing a feeling of online community. Remember, in this setting, unless you are using real-time video cameras, teachers and students do not see each other. Having a photo to reference reduces anonymity and builds a stronger sense of reality of the virtual community.

Strategy 3 Communicate.

How many ways are there to communicate in an online class? Many more than we usually take advantage of. Plan to use at least 3 strategies each week with your students: blogging, virtual office hours, discussion board, email, audio comments, video comments, chat session, instant messaging (IM), telephone or voice over internet protocol (VOIP) (SKYPE, Gizmo, etc.), grade comments, etc.

Strategy 4 Grading Opportunities.

When posting grades, there is an unrivaled opportunity for teachers to increase communication and feedback with students. Seldom input just a simple numerical grade. Make it a practice to usually include specific comments……..

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