TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL ONLINE TEACHING. George Kontos, Ed.D. Assistant Professor Business Division Bowling Green CC of Western Kentucky University

George Kontos2 Tips for Successful Online Teaching - Overview of the Presentation - The Online - The Online -  Student  Teacher  Course The Seven Principles The Seven Principles An Example An Example

George Kontos3 Typical Characteristics of Non-traditional Students: Other responsibilities (work, family) Other responsibilities (work, family) Limited time to study Limited time to study Unpredictable work schedules Unpredictable work schedules Mobile (travel frequently) Mobile (travel frequently) Limited mobility (health, family) Limited mobility (health, family) No familiarity with online classes No familiarity with online classes May or may not seek a degree May or may not seek a degree

George Kontos4 Some Desirable Qualities of Online Students: Are motivated to learn Are motivated to learn Can handle stress well Can handle stress well Make own decisions on what to learn Make own decisions on what to learn Make own decisions on how to learn Make own decisions on how to learn See online teachers as just facilitators of learning rather than disseminators of knowledge See online teachers as just facilitators of learning rather than disseminators of knowledge

George Kontos5 Desirable Qualities of Online Teachers: Skillful e-communicators Skillful e-communicators Prompt in answering their Prompt in answering their Experienced in online teaching and learning Experienced in online teaching and learning Comfortable with other tools Comfortable with Blackboard / WebCT / other tools Willing to adjust as e-learning tools change Willing to adjust as e-learning tools change

George Kontos6 Reasons for Teaching an Online Course I chose to teach it I chose to teach it I was asked to teach it I was asked to teach it And the #1 reason: Students needed it!

George Kontos7 Reasons for Taking an Online Course I am a non-traditional student and have no other choice I am a non-traditional student and have no other choice I am a traditional student but I prefer online classes I am a traditional student but I prefer online classes I am a teacher and I need it to remain current I am a teacher and I need it to remain current I am a teacher and I was asked to take it I am a teacher and I was asked to take it

Online Teaching Focuses on the application of IT to teaching the innovative application of IT to teaching

e-Teaching and e-Learning Applying the of Good Practice when Teaching and Learning via an Online Course Management Tool (Blackboard, WebCT, etc.) Applying the Seven Principles of Good Practice when Teaching and Learning via an Online Course Management Tool (Blackboard, WebCT, etc.)

George Kontos10 The Seven Principles Chickering and Gamson (1987) concluded that good practice in teaching: 1. Encourages contact between students and faculty, 2. Encourages cooperation among students, 3. Encourages active learning, 4. Gives prompt feedback, 5. Emphasizes time on task, 6. Communicates high expectations, and 7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning.

George Kontos11 The Seven Principles of Good Practice in Teaching Developed by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson. Developed by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson. First appeared in the American Association for Higher Education Bulletin (AAHE) in First appeared in the American Association for Higher Education Bulletin (AAHE) in 1987.

George Kontos12 The Seven Principles Initially conceived for face-to-face instruction in undergraduate teaching. Initially conceived for face-to-face instruction in undergraduate teaching. Later implemented for technology- based teaching (Chickering and Ehrmann, 1996). Later implemented for technology- based teaching (Chickering and Ehrmann, 1996). Only in recent years have online instructors tried them. Only in recent years have online instructors tried them.

George Kontos13 Principle 1 Contact Between Students and Faculty is Encouraged Benefits: Interest in subject matter is stimulated Interest in subject matter is stimulated Motivation to overcome difficulties is enhanced Motivation to overcome difficulties is enhanced Planning for future is encouraged Planning for future is encouraged

George Kontos14 Principle 2 Cooperation Among Students is Encouraged Benefits: Learning is enhanced by team effort Learning is enhanced by team effort Involvement when learning with others is increased Involvement when learning with others is increased Critical thinking is enhanced when sharing ideas with others Critical thinking is enhanced when sharing ideas with others

George Kontos15 Principle 3 Active Learning is Encouraged Benefits: Learning is more lasting when it is active learning Learning is more lasting when it is active learning Learning becomes part of the learner when it is dynamic rather than passive Learning becomes part of the learner when it is dynamic rather than passive

George Kontos16 Principle 4 Prompt Feedback is Given Benefits: Learning is focused when timely feedback is given Learning is focused when timely feedback is given Learning is improved when learners are told quickly what their weak points are Learning is improved when learners are told quickly what their weak points are

George Kontos17 Principle 5 Time on Task is Encouraged Benefits: Learning is effective when time on task is emphasized Learning is effective when time on task is emphasized Effective time management is crucial for students and professionals alike Effective time management is crucial for students and professionals alike

George Kontos18 Principle 6 High Expectations are Communicated Benefits: High expectations usually translate into high achievements High expectations usually translate into high achievements Keeping high standards is rewarding for both teacher and learners Keeping high standards is rewarding for both teacher and learners

George Kontos19 Principle 7 Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning Are Respected Benefits: Incorporating various learning styles in the classroom facilitates learning Incorporating various learning styles in the classroom facilitates learning Recognizing and respecting that there is more than one way to learn is appreciated and brings desirable results Recognizing and respecting that there is more than one way to learn is appreciated and brings desirable results

George Kontos20 An Example An Online Course Taught with these Seven Principles in Mind: CSCI 145C (online on the WEB) Introduction to Computing (A course) (A Blackboard course)

George Kontos21 CSCI 145C (WEB) Introduction to Computing Contents: Concepts (Computer Terminology) Concepts (Computer Terminology) Practice (Lab Activities) Practice (Lab Activities) History of Computers History of Computers The Internet and the Web The Internet and the Web Social and Ethical Issues Social and Ethical Issues Security and Privacy Security and Privacy Operating Systems Operating Systems - Microsoft Windows, Unix, Linux, Mac OS, etc. Applications Software Applications Software - Microsoft Office, etc.

George Kontos22 Course Highlights Orientation Session Orientation Session syllabus, rules, expectations, assignments… syllabus, rules, expectations, assignments… Calendar with Due Dates Calendar with Due Dates Online Survey Online Survey Student Information Form Student Information Form Subject Line Info in s Enforced Subject Line Info in s Enforced

George Kontos23 Syllabus with Calendar on the Web CALENDAR Introduction to Computing Web Class Schedule Spring 2008 DateDescription Points Monday, January 23Class Begins x Friday, January 27Due: Orientation Project & Introduction to Classmates 20 Friday, February 3Due: Chapter 1 Study Guide, Survey, and Learning Activities - Computers: Tools for an Information Age 70 Set 1, Friday February 3Due: Set 1 Activities (Discussion Board, Capron Online MC Quiz) 25 etc.

Online Survey 1.I am an expert (I know it all!) 2.I know it very well 3.I know some of it but not much 4.I know very little about it 5.I do not know any of it On a scale of 1 to 5 (see above), please answer the following. Please give your very honest answers. No need to sign your name. Thank you! Answer (1 to 5) 1.Computer Vocabulary______ 2.Microsoft Word______ 3. Microsoft Excel______ etc.

Student Information Form CSCI 145C Introduction to Computing Name: ______________________________________ Classification: _______________________________ ID: _______ Major or Degree Sought: _______________________ Other Courses This Semester: __________________ Local Address: _______________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ _______________________________________ etc.

Student Information Form (cont.) Please read, sign, and date the following statement: "I have a copy of the Introduction to Computer Systems syllabus and understand and accept its contents. I also understand that ALL work in this course MUST be my work and ALL assignments, projects, study guides and exams must be completed to receive a passing grade for this course. I understand that assignments that are more than 5 calendar days late will receive a zero. Once old assignments are gone, I will not, under any circumstances, ask my instructor to accept such assignments from me or to re-post them on Blackboard! Finally, I understand that there will be no extra credit assignments in this class!" Name: _____________________ Date: __________

Correct Subject Lines in s Enforced! Example of a Subject Line: CSCI 145C Phelps (Question on Test #1)

George Kontos28 Course Highlights Weekly Threaded Discussions Weekly Threaded Discussions Weekly Assignments Weekly Assignments Online Quizzes Online Quizzes Exams (Open Book, Proctored, etc.) Exams (Open Book, Proctored, etc.) Variety of Learning Modes Variety of Learning Modes Technology News Assignments Technology News Assignments

Implementing the Seven Principles in an Online Class (a Summary) George Kontos29

George Kontos30 CSCI 145C (WEB) Principle Web Implementation 1 Contact Between Students and Faculty is Encouraged Orientation session (by phone or in person) Student Information Form (with meaningful Subject lines) Threaded discussions (Discussion Board activities) Response time policy posted Chat, IM, etc. Video-based chat (Skype)

George Kontos31 CSCI 145C (WEB) Principle Online Course Implementation: 2 Cooperation Among Students is Encouraged Threaded discussions Team work (grouping) Collaboration activities Team rep posts minutes Chat, IM, etc. Video-based chat (Skype)

George Kontos32 CSCI 145C (WEB) Principle Online Course Implementation: 3 Active Learning is Encouraged Assignment to summarize a current technology article that made the news Assignment to investigate a topic about a technology that is affecting our lives A variety of hands-on practice activities Threaded discussions

George Kontos33 CSCI 145C (WEB) Principle Online Course Implementation: 4 Prompt Feedback is Given Prompt feedback Web-based tests and quizzes that provide ample and prompt feedback Feedback on assignments is prompt and helpful

George Kontos34 CSCI 145C (WEB) Principle Online Course Implementation: 5 Time on Task is Encouraged Syllabus that includes clear objectives, assessments, and expectations posted Rubrics posted Day-by-day class calendar with due dates posted Late submission of work discouraged

George Kontos35 CSCI 145C (WEB) Principle Online Course Implementation: 6 High Expectations are Communicated Orientation session (by phone or in person) Student Information Form Weekly threaded discussions posted Excellence encouraged and expected

George Kontos36 CSCI 145C (WEB) Principle Online Course Implementation: 7 Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning Are Respected Orientation session (by phone or in person) Computer background knowledge survey Weekly threaded discussions posted Diverse points of view encouraged Variety of tools available: Blackboard, textbook, textbook’s companion website, instructor (reachable by phone, , postal mail, and personal visit)

George Kontos37 Chickering, A. W., & Gamson Z. F. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin, March 3-7. Retrieved April 11, 2006 from Chickering, A. W., & Gamson Z. F. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin, March 3-7. Retrieved April 11, 2006 from /committees/FacDevCom/guidebk /teachtip/7princip.htm

George Kontos38 Final Word Remember the of good practice when you teach your face-to- face classes. Remember the Seven Principles of good practice when you teach your face-to- face classes. And please don’t forget to do the same whenever you teach web (online) classes! And please don’t forget to do the same whenever you teach web (online) classes!