Online Pedagogy: Best Practices in Internet-based Education

Jennifer HerzogAssistant Professor of Biology

Herkimer County Community Collegeherzogja@herkimer.edu

What is meaningful learning?

-leads to alterations of brain composition-develops one’s knowledge base

-can affect one’s life

In order to accomplish this, learning activities should be:

-active-constructive-collaborative-contextual

-conversational-reflective

(Boettcher J. 2000. Designing for learning: what is meaningful learning? Syllabus 14(1): 54-56.)

Today’s student demands a flexible learning environment

3 million + students enrolled in at least one course with online content

Many degree programs offered via distance learning

How do we as faculty meet the demand of our customers withoutsacrificing the quality of education we provide?

(and…without faculty burnout!)

Make your teaching student centered

-what is the student thinking?

-how much are they learning?

-what tools do they have the ability to use?

-keep high standards, but make objectives realistic

Think about the delivery of your course

-open versus exact due dates?

-allow full access to the course or work in modules?

-proctored versus timed versus open tests?

Orientation

-use an “Ice Breaker” session as a “trial period” for the student to see:

how the technology worksif they have reliable technology availablewhat is expected of them in the course

-during this time, you may want to:

quiz the student on the information provided in this sectionask them to answer a questionnaire

ask them to provide an introduction to the class (which you can print out!)create an “FAQ” area for students

Provide consistency and clarity throughout the course

-clear deadlines

-clear, concise directions

-clear, assessable objectives

-clear, thorough syllabus

-REPEAT yourself throughout the course

-demand good grammar from your students and make sure you are using it, too!

Let your students do the work: generating “social presence” and “cognitive presence”

-require that students lead discussions, at least in part

-provide areas for out of class discussion for students to help each other

“Interactivity is the heart and soul of effective asynchronous learning”~ B. Pelz

Be an involved instructor (A.K.A. add teaching “presence”)

-participate in/monitor discussions

-provide feedback to all submissions

-quick response time is a MUST (if anything check email/question areas)

-make frequent announcements/updates

HOWEVER: do “unplug”, being available 24/7 is a duel-edged sword!

Don’t forget the “A” word: ASSESSMENT

-use rubrics and make them visible to students

-show them examples of graded discussion posts

-use MS word to “mark up” edits on essays

-use pre/post testing

-give midterm updates

-use end of course evaluations for student feedback (reflection on the course)

-use your electronic grade book to effectively collect data for assessment

Let your teaching personality shine through the modem!

-use Powerpoint presentations with voice/video or full podcasts

-use blogs or social chat areas

-use Second Life

-use webcams via AIM or Skype

Use technology to achieve your objectives

-address multiple learning styles

i.e. YouTube to create lab demosi.e. iTunes to post audio files of lectures

i.e. web-based games i.e. wikis for cooperative interactions

i.e. student projects that let them be creative with technology

-consider offering a course as a HYBRID (61% of institutions cite a need for these!)

Use your expertise in the classroom and take the time to creativelymodify your effective on campus experiences for the digital world!

Improve your teaching each semester!

-employ self-evaluation, reflection

-seek available training opportunities

-talk to other instructors, view their courses

-have others review your courses and provide constructive criticism