Best Practices in Online Teaching Renee F. Aitken, Ph.D.

1. Encourages Contact Between Students and Faculty This is the most important factor in student motivation and involvement. How do you encourage frequent student-faculty contact in online classes? E-mails answered within 48 hours Have regularly scheduled office hours Provide feedback in a timely manner (1 week for papers, just like class)

2. Develops Reciprocity and Cooperation Among Students Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort that a solo race. How do you promote collaboration that increases involvement in learning to deepen understanding? Discussion boards Adding your comments to discussion boards Finalizing discussion by reviewing key points Group work – one group assignment with short term goals (case study)

3. Encourages Active Learning Learning is not a spectator sport. How do you allow students to talk about what they are learning, write about it, relate it to past experiences and apply it to their daily lives? Journaling Discussion boards Reflection papers e-mail chains

4. Prompt Feedback Students need appropriate feedback on performance to benefit from courses. How do you help students assess their existing knowledge and competence and receive suggestions for improvement? NEVER let an e-mail go unanswered for more than 48 hours Always use track changes and comments to grade online papers Return papers with comments within one week

5. Emphasizes Time on Task Time plus energy equals learning. How you define time expectations and assist students in effective time management? Let students know how long they should be spending on assignments, journaling in relative terms – i.e. “This paper should take you about 6 hours to complete” or, “You should spend an hour each week journaling”.

6. Communicates High Expectations Expect more and you will get more. How you help students to perform well? Give students specific requirements for papers, journal entries, assignments, and discussion postings Include rubrics where you can to indicate what is important A separate rubric paper sent with the assignment is a good way to point out areas of excellence and areas needing improvement.

7. Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning There are many roads to learning. Students rich in hands-on experience may not do so well with theory. How do you allow for multi-modal approaches to learning? Make sure your course has a variety of assignments to accommodate all learning styles

References Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education by Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson