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what to expect  |  what students expect  |  policies

  What to Expect

Are you ready to teach an online course?

Is teaching online as easy as posting your lectures online?

Not quite!  There will be many issues to think about.  You may need to change your teaching style and strategies in order to be successful teaching online or using the web enhanced features for your face to face classes.  It is important that a lot of thought goes into how you create your online content and manage your virtual classroom environment.

Effective Online Instructor Characteristics:

  • Comfortable with technology
  • Enthusiasm for the subject
  • Flexibility in teaching methods and approaches
  • Experienced in teaching
  • Good course organization
  • Effective communication skills with students
  • Highly responsive to students and provides timely feedback
  • Good time management skills

Self-Evaluation Quiz:

  1. Do you have access to a computer and Internet connection?
  2. Do you know how to use email and access the Web using a browser?
  3. Are you willing to tune-up your browser and purchase new software if needed?
  4. Can you download a file from the Web and save it on your own computer?
  5. Can you attach a document to an email message?
  6. Can you cut or copy and paste from one program into another?
  7. Have you taken an online course as a student? (recommended)
  8. Do you believe that high-quality learning can take place without interacting with your students face-to-face?
  9. Can you dedicate 4-6 hours a week to participate in the online teaching process (per class)?
  10. Are you willing to log on and contribute to your online classroom discussions and interact with students online at least 5 times a week?
  11. Are you comfortable in communicating almost entirely through writing?
  12. Are you willing to spend time rethinking and redesigning your teaching materials to fit the needs of the online class?
  13. Are you willing to invest time in professional development to continue learning new online teaching and/or technical skills in the future?
  14. Are you willing to motivate your online students more than a normal face to face class?