Success in the Virtual Classroom; Are you looking to teach an online course for the first time? Or have you already taught online but are looking for some tips to help you become more effective?
The world of online learning is expanding at a rapid pace. More courses are being offered and more students are enrolling every semester. And while teaching an online course can be done while sitting at your computer in your pajamas, being an effective online instructor requires a good deal of practice and preparation. Of course, teaching online does take away the face to face involvement with students. Nothing can take the place of seeing a student smile after finally understanding a difficult concept.
But online teaching can be even more rewarding than on-campus teaching, when done well.
Success in the Virtual Classroom; What makes an effective online instructor?
Success in the Virtual Classroom; While good teaching involves a large number of qualities and techniques, effective online teaching centers on three main points:
1) You must be clear about your expectations!
Since students are not sitting right in front of you, it is extremely important to be very clear. Since you cannot see the students, you cannot see them sitting with a puzzled look while nodding their head in agreement.
How do you know if you are clear enough?
- Ask the students.
- Carefully evaluate the quality of the work, and how close the finished product matches the instructions.
- Have a colleague read your material before the course begins.
If student evaluations are distributed at the end of the semester, you can use the feedback to help you improve your course and teaching techniques – but keep in mind that by then you can no longer help the students learn what you want them to learn!
2) You must communicate frequently…and effectively!
And it’s not enough to just communicate frequently. You must also communicate effectively. While some students (especially new online students) will want you to “take them by the hand” through each step, if you already have clearly written instructions, you can direct them to the instructions.
Keep in mind that most students are not asking you questions to bother you – usually, they just want to make sure they are doing what you want them to do. So be understanding, even when you get questions that make you shake your head.
If you get the same questions frequently, it is a good idea to save the questions – and your responses – to create a “frequently asked questions” section.
3) You must let your personality shine through!
If students just wanted to read a book, they wouldn’t need you to read it for them. So, when teaching online, avoid taking the “easy way out” by simply posting a few readings and having students answer the questions:
- Add a little of your personality to your assignments and communications (but be careful when using humor, as it is difficult to convey online).
- Give real life examples that you have learned from being the subject matter “expert”.
- Create interesting and interactive assignments to help students really learn the material.
Keys to Effective Online Teaching: Strategies, Communication, and Engagement
- Online teaching requires good preparation and practice to be effective.
- Even though there is no face-to-face interaction, online teaching can be more satisfying if done well.
- An effective online instructor must be clear about his or her expectations of students.
- Frequent and effective communication with students is essential in online teaching.
- Online instructors should let their personality shine through assignments and communications, and use real-life examples to support the material.
- Good practices in online teaching include: clarity, frequent and effective communication, and displaying personality in teaching.
By applying these principles, an online instructor can be effective and satisfying for students.