What is cheating? I'm sure we'd all agree that copying answers from someone else's exam is cheating. But what about discussing the options and then answering? Is that … [Read more...]
The Course Wrap Up
You’ve spent weeks teaching a course, and the final week is here. You figure your students are busy preparing for their final project or exam, and the last thing they … [Read more...]
Elements of Meaningful Feedback
One of the most important learner-instructor interactions occurs when instructors leave feedback. Think of online students as plants. Plants need light and water to grow. … [Read more...]
Syllabus
While having a Welcome Note in the course is important, that's just a way to get students started. That Welcome Note should direct students to the syllabus, their … [Read more...]
Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which is a model for developing content that is accessible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability, or situation. … [Read more...]
Overcommunicate with Skill
Said it once? Said it twice? Say it again! Overcommunication is especially important in an online course. Communicate using multiple methods (e.g., announcements, … [Read more...]
Welcome them with a Note
Imagine you are taking an online course for the very first time. You get logged in and you enter the course, now what do you do? When you logged into this course for … [Read more...]
The Importance of Announcements
Announcements are a primary means of establishing instructor presence in a course. This is the place where you can bring in your teaching expertise--your personal … [Read more...]
Using Multimedia with Announcements
Got your attention with that image, didn’t I? What would a rock concert be without the special lighting, smoke machines, dancing, and other elements designed to draw the … [Read more...]
Discussions and Instructor Presence
Discussions are the most powerful and prolific tools we have in asynchronous online learning to foster community. This is a key location for inserting instructor presence … [Read more...]