Top 10 Best Practices for Teaching Online

Top 10 Best Practices for Teaching Online

Today's online learning tips come to you from Dr. Judith V. Boettcher, Ph.D. of Designing for Learning. Dr. Boettcher is a U.S nationally-known author and consultant in online and distance learning with expertise in faculty development, learning theory, and instructional design. Judith’s career spans decades, beginning with computer-assisted instruction in the 1980s.Here are Dr. Boettcher's Top 10 Best Practices for Online Learning:

1. "Be Present at the Course Site" - communicate with the students, use noticeboards and messaging options
2. Create a supportive online course community
3. Share a set of very clear expectations for your students and for yourself as to (1) how you will communicate and (2) how much time students should be working on the course each week.
4. Use a variety of large group, small group, and individual work experiences
5. Use both synchronous and asynchronous activities
6. Early in the term ask for informal feedback on "How is the course going?" and "Do you have any suggestions?"
7. Prepare Discussion Posts that Invite Questions, Discussions, Reflections and Responses
8. Focus on content resources and applications and links to current events and examples that are easily accessed from learner's computers
9. Combine core concept learning with customized and personalized learning
10. Plan a good closing and wrap activity for the course

To read the expanded version of the above tips please go to her website here (http://www.designingforlearning.info/services/writing/ecoach/tenbest.html)