Category Archives: Online Education

I know, I know: You are not happy. You are sad and annoyed, and maybe even a little angry. The last thing you want is an old dude telling you to chill out. But hey, chill out, young buck. Classes are going online and you didn’t get that tuition discount you wanted. You didn’t signContinue reading “Everything Sucks Today”

Consider what you, the instructor, bring to the course. What are your strengths? Where is your comfort zone? Do those things align with the way students learn in the online world, and how they engage with the material? They should. Think about it: When a student complains that they “hate online teaching,” what does thatContinue reading “Things That Work While Teaching Online”

There is no one proper way to teach online. Every person will experiment and develop a toolkit that best suits them, the course material and their students. It’s a world of experimentation, really, as new tools and apps come out seemingly every day. But rather than each of us stumbling around, we can learn aboutContinue reading “Things To Avoid While Teaching Online”

Students learn more when they are engaged with the course content. When we are in-person, we can directly address the students who are daydreaming or who may be too shy to speak in front of others. Whether in-person or online, students need to be properly prepared for discussions and activities. That means that professors needContinue reading “How to Activate Students Online”

How do we assess student learning in the online setting? Traditional tests and papers can work, when appropriate. But here’s the thing: Students need to feel invested quickly in the semester, they need frequent grading opportunities, and they need regular feedback. We need to do more, and more often. So, moderation is the key. OtherwiseContinue reading “How Do You Measure Learning Online?”

How should you present information during classes? Will traditional lectures work? Are there other ways to help students learn? Here are a few things to think about: Lay the groundwork. The first few classes of the semester are incredibly important in regard to developing class retention, activation and agency. Create a sense of community byContinue reading “Creating Online Engagement”

As long as the course learning goals remain the same, planning for online teaching may not be so different from planning for an in-person course. The primary difference, however, is in the need to be more intentional and explicit in course delivery and in communicating expectations. Where do I start? Begin at the end. UseContinue reading “How to Prep for Online Teaching”