| Online instruction is gaining momentum in college | | | | communication with students with respect to their |
| settings, as well as in the supplemental education | | | | questions, concerns, and progress is vital to |
| market, e.g., tutoring, test-prep, training sessions, | | | | maintaining students' motivation and ensuring success. |
| continuing education, and more. College professors, | | | | Set Deadlines |
| high school teachers, and teaching enthusiasts are | | | | Deadlines are important to keep the work flow |
| taking advantage of the online learning tools to reach | | | | moving. For example, set deadlines for your own |
| a greater student pool, and earn money. | | | | lesson plans, student assignments, conference |
| Unlike conventional classrooms, however, teaching | | | | participation, and all other work to take the class to |
| online presents unique challenges. Online instructors | | | | completion. |
| should have certain characteristics to make online | | | | Be an "Architect" |
| learning a rich and meaningful educational experience. | | | | Carefully design class syllabus/lesson plan, objectives, |
| Be Knowledgeable | | | | expectations, and policies. Whether you are teaching |
| As a teacher, be knowledgeable about the subject | | | | a course with multiple-sessions or a one-time class, it |
| matter. Online instructors, like all teachers, should be | | | | is very important be prepared and to set these |
| competent. Online instructors need to be enthusiastic | | | | types guidelines at the outset. |
| about the topic and respectful of the new medium | | | | Be a Participative Facilitator |
| of teaching. | | | | Online classes do not teach themselves. In order to |
| Possess Writing Skills | | | | create an effective online learning environment, show |
| While online classes maybe video-enabled, most of | | | | up and teach. Keep in mind, lecturing may not be the |
| online teaching is through written communication. | | | | best method to impart knowledge online. Instead, |
| Online teacher should be comfortable communicating | | | | facilitate discussion by eliciting comments and views |
| in writing. | | | | from students. |
| Ask for Feedback | | | | Sense of Humor? Not Required |
| Ask for feedback from students on the instruction, | | | | Since most of online teaching is written, remember |
| as well as the material. Student feedback is crucial for | | | | that spoken humor does not necessarily translate |
| instructors to refine their online teaching methodology | | | | well when written out. Know your audience. Stay |
| and the content being offered. Since there is no | | | | away from controversial hot topics. |
| face-to-face interaction, online teachers can learn | | | | Basic Technical Know-How? Required |
| about what works (and what doesn't) by soliciting | | | | For effective learning to take place, the delivery of |
| feedback. | | | | materials should be seamless. Online instructors should |
| Give Feedback | | | | have basic fluency with respect to the technology |
| Keep students engaged in the online class by giving | | | | and collaborative tools. If needed, there are many |
| constant feedback. Students can often feel "lost" in a | | | | free resources available on the Internet that provide |
| virtual classroom. Instructors should give students | | | | online instructors with technical knowledge to keep |
| timely and constructive feedback. Having regular | | | | yourself updated. |