1. Professional Development
Best Practices for Online Learning

2. Welcome from the President
Strategic initiative
Upgrade of LMS
Adopt best practices
for online learning
Click arrow for audio.
Dr. David Jeffries, President of Western Community College

3. Course Objectives Understand the benefits of online learning.
Define the terms “best practices,” “online,” and “blended.”
Understand the competencies of an effective online instructor.
Describe methods for promoting quality instruction.
Overcome negative misconceptions of online learning.
Use and apply Quality Matters standards and Quality Matter Rubric.

4. What makes a good Instructor?
Knowledge of content
Good communication skills
Experience in the field
See the discussion post “What makes a good instructor” thread to add your characteristics.

5. What are the Benefits of Online Learning?
Working adults may have time for online rather than face-to- face instruction.

6. What are the Benefits of Online Learning?
Working adults, who live out of driving range from campus, can take online courses.
There is an increased interest in online learning, especially among working professional.
See the discussion post “Benefits of Online Learning” to add your own benefits.

7. Online meets by using LMS and other meeting applications
Online meets by using LMS and other meeting applications. Uses LMS for interaction and administration.
Blended meets in a classroom and uses LMS for course interaction and administration.
Types of Courses

8. What is a “Best Practice”?
A method or technique that through experience and research has been proven to lead to effective or consistent results.
The term “best practice” is often used in business or for quality assurance.

9. Adoption of Quality Matters
WCC will be adopting Quality Matters (QM) standards and QM Rubric over the next year.
Quality Matters is a set of best practices for online learning. It encourages collaboration, peer- review, professional development, and engagement.
QM is used by over 800 institutions and 47 states in the US.

10. Go to “Best Practices for Online Learning” course within LMS
To complete course, read uploaded content on QM standards and respond to discussion post.
Respond to the posts of at least two other individuals.
Complete “Best Practices for Online Learning” quiz in LMS.
Create a “Welcome Page” using the provided template for your Sandbox course.

11. 8 Core Areas of Course Quality
Course Overview & Introduction
Learning Objectives or Competencies
Assessment and Measurement
Instructional Materials
Learner Interaction & Engagement
Course Technology
Learner Support
Accessibility and Usability

12. Best Practices for Online Learning
Set and communicate expectations early
Be available for questions and responsive
Model effective behaviors
Get students involved via discussion
Keep an open mind and be flexible, especially with technology
Plan out the entire course
Provide examples and rubrics for evaluation

13. Additional Tips Create a forum for courses questions
Create and use the “WCC Welcome page” template to introduce yourself
Develop a system for discussion posts
Set a timeslot for office hours for your online course instead of answering each .
Share your own tips in a discussion post. See “Instructor Tips” thread.

14. Become a faculty mentor Become a QM peer- reviewer
Respond to the Call
Become a faculty mentor
Become a QM peer- reviewer

15. Go to “Best Practices for Online Learning” course within LMS
To complete course, read uploaded content on QM standards and respond to discussion post.
Respond to the posts of at least two other individuals.
Complete “Best Practices for Online Learning” quiz in LMS.
Create a “Welcome Page” using the provided template for your Sandbox course.