I m Teaching Online Next Term. What Do I Have to Know?

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I’m Teaching Online

Next Term.

What Do I Have to

Know?

Presented by:

Dr. Larry Ragan

The information contained in this online seminar is for professional development purposes but does not substitute for legal advice. Specific legal advice should be discussed with a professional attorney.

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12 Steps to Online Teaching Succes

Follow these 12 steps for a money

these steps and you get your old teaching model Drivers License

1. Know how to use the learning management system.

Owner’s Manual

2. Know the structure, flow and rhythm of the course and how it is different from other

teaching formats. Plan Ahead

3. Develop a calendar of the course activities and due

Manage It!

4. Create a personal “teaching plan” that defines daily, weekly and monthly course teaching

activity. Own It!

5. Put your “personal stamp” on the course.

Connections

6. Know your learners and their characteristics.

Engage!

7. Know what strategies you will use throughout the course to engage your learners (early

and often). Be Present!

8. Develop a routine to establish and maintain your "teaching presence."

Teaching Expectations

9. Establish and communicate your

Student Expectations

10. Establish and communicate your expectations of students' performance.

Measurement

11. Know how you will manage evaluation and student assessment.

Support System!

12. Identify and USE your support resources (go

arise.

Relax and enjoy this new teaching environment

12 Steps to Online Teaching Succes

a money-back guarantee of online teaching success. Failure to use and you get your old teaching model back!

Know how to use the learning management system.

3. Develop a calendar of the course activities and due dates and —keep it handy!

5. Put your “personal stamp” on the course.

6. Know your learners and their characteristics.

8. Develop a routine to establish and maintain your "teaching presence."

9. Establish and communicate your teaching performance expectations.

11. Know how you will manage evaluation and student assessment.

support resources (go-to people and systems) when problems

Relax and enjoy this new teaching environment!

12 Steps to Online Teaching Succes

s

ailure to use

keep it handy!

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Developed by Faculty Engagement Committee of the Penn State Online Coordinating Council 2011

28 Core Competencies for Online Teaching Success

Technology

The online instructor is able to:

1. complete basic computer operations, including creating and manipulating documents, managing files and folders, and working with multiple windows.

2. successfully log into the LMS and access the course. 3. successfully navigate the course space

4. set-up and manage the grade book, including making grades visible to students and exporting and recording grades to the University's grading system as required. 5. effectively use course communications systems via email, discussion forums, and

announcements.

6. set up and manage teams/groups within a course.

7. manage the course roster to add instructors, teaching assistants, and outside guests with the appropriate permissions.

8. set up and fully utilize drop boxes for student submissions, including uploading and downloading contents.

9. manage the course files and folders within the LMS.

Course Administration

1. log-in to the course regularly (preferably on a daily basis) in order to respond to student inquiries, monitor student progress, engage in student activities, etc.

2. communicate to students, in advance, when assignments and exams will be graded and returned.

3. adhere to institutional syllabus policy – see http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/43-00.html /. 4. mediate course-related student conflicts as they arise - see

http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/judicial/classdisrupt.shtml /.

5. adhere to the university's policies regarding the Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) - see http://www.registrar.psu.edu/confidentiality/FERPA_faq.cfm /. 6. revise course content and instruction based on student feedback as appropriate

7. identify the appropriate procedures for getting assistance and support when encountering a technical problem.

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Developed by Faculty Engagement Committee of the Penn State Online Coordinating Council 2011

Pedagogy

1. direct the teaching and learning process. 2. respond to student inquiries.

3. provide prompt, clear, detailed feedback on assignments and exams. 4. communicate with students about course progress and changes. 5. create a learning environment that is safe and inviting.

6. monitor and manage student progress. 7. communicate course goals and outcomes.

8. show respect to students in his/her communications with them. 9. play an active role in online discussions when appropriate.

10. provide a good model of expected behavior for all course communication.

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Penn State World Campus Performance Expectations Committee DRAFT 3/17/2011

1

Online Instructor Performance Expectations

1) Technology Access

The instructor is responsible for meeting the same technology requirements as required for students.

The instructor is expected to:

1. Secure access to a high-speed bandwidth connection for class activities. 2. Test all course-related technology prior to the start of the course. 2) Course Management and Instruction

The instructor is responsible for managing and teaching the class from start to finish. The instructor is expected to:

1. Follow the established and published course schedule.

2. Conduct (that is, “teach”) the course within the scheduled time frame. 3. Make and communicate schedule adjustments as necessary.

4. Provide each student equal opportunity to succeed. 3) Preparation

The instructor is responsible for assuring that they possess the required skills and competencies for teaching online.

1. Be operationally proficient in the course technology. 2. Be prepared with the skills to teach online.

3. Be able to complete the required administrative tasks necessary to complete the course.

4) Course Familiarity

The instructor is responsible for being adequately familiar with the online course. The instructor is expected to:

1. Be familiar with the syllabus including course milestones, due dates and critical course activities.

2. Make changes to the syllabus as necessary and communicate the changes to the students.

3. Review and be familiar with the course content.

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Penn State World Campus Performance Expectations Committee DRAFT 3/17/2011

2 5. Review the course teaching guide to gain an understanding of the intent/context of the course such as the authors teaching philosophy, content, learning activities, and assessments.

5) Availability

The instructor is required to be available to the online learner for the duration of the course.

1. Regularly access the online course.

2. Notify students and appropriate administrative units if unable to log in to the course. 6) Communication

The online instructor is responsible for managing course–related communications. The instructor is expected to:

1. Clearly communicate student expectations.

2. Communicate instructor class schedule and access.

3. Actively participate in course-related discussions and activities where appropriate. 7) Feedback

The online instructor is responsible communicating with and providing feedback to students.

The instructor is expected to: 1. Provide prompt feedback.

2. Inform the learner of when they can expect a response if the instructor cannot provide a detailed response within 12 hours.

3. Provide clear and concise feedback to explain the degree to which the student is achieving the course/lesson outcomes.

4. Communicate to students when they can expect to receive graded feedback on assignments and exams.

8) Documentation & Record Keeping

The online instructor is responsible for maintaining records of course transactions and communications.

1. Keep a record of communications with students including when other modes of communications are used.

2. Record and communicate student progress information such as assignment and quiz grades.