Ten Best Practices for Teaching Online From: (Chapter Three) in the
Online Teaching Survival Guide
Boettcher, J. V., & Conrad, R. (2010). Ten best
practices for teaching online. Chapter Three pp. 36-47. The online teaching survival guide: simple
and practical pedagogical tips. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, ©2010.
1. Be present at the course site
a.
In course shell, list ‘office hours’ so students
know when you will be available to ‘discuss’ questions.
b.
Directly connect with students via email and
also Skype interview within first week of the course.
2. Create a supportive online course community
a. Post brief video of myself – similar to
introduction at beginning of any f2f class, but keep some for when I talk with
students in f2f (Skype or telephone)
b.
Introductions at the beginning of course
(similar to Interviews at the beginning of f2f class.) I wonder about asking students to do this in
dyads first? Perhaps less intimidating
than in an online forum?
c. Announcements, encouragement, but don’t overdo
presence of ‘self’ but encourage others within class to do that? Quote of the week? Different learners in groups?
d.
Provide ‘meeting times’ that students can come
in to UFV to meet me or others within the class?
e. Discussion boards? What are some effective ways to use discussion
boards?
3. Develop a set of explicit expectations for
your learners and yourself as to how you will communicate and how much time
students should be working on the course each week.
a. Better to email than phone since I can access
that more readily than phone since work at difference campuses and from home.
b. Check with other instructors – suggest not less
than 10 hours a week to be successful.
c. Respond to questions within 24 hours when
possible; if absent, let learners know and appoint another student to respond
to queries
4. Use a
variety of large group, small group, and individual work experience
5. Use synchronous and asynchronous
activities.
a.
What can I use if not google hangouts
6. Ask for informal feedback early in the term
a.
Build a feedback from right into course shell in
appropriate place
b. Perhaps create something like a ‘suggestion
box’?
7. Prepare discussion posts that invite
responses, questions, discussions, and reflections
a.
Perhaps include audio as well
b. Do not overdue reflections!
c. Use Padlet at least once or twice for something
different that includes graphics
8. Search out and Use Content Resources that
are available in digital format if possible
a.
Include inviting students to post resources
9. Combine Core Concept Learning with
customized and personalized learning
a.
‘Learning ought to ‘pull students’ learning
forward (page 45 Online Survival Guide)
10. Plan a Good Closing and Wrap Activity for
the Course
a.
Remember to send message about organizing to-do
and assignment due dates
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