Are you looking to teach an online course for the first time? Or have you already taught online but are looking for some tips to help you become more effective?
The world of online learning is expanding at a rapid pace.
More courses are being offered and more students are enrolling every semester. And while teaching an online course can be done while sitting at your computer in your pajamas, being an effective online instructor requires a good deal of practice and preparation.
Of course, teaching online does take away the face to face involvement with students. Nothing can take the place of seeing a student smile after finally understanding a difficult concept.
But online teaching can be even more rewarding than on-campus teaching, when done well.
What makes an effective online instructor?
While good teaching involves a large number of qualities and techniques, effective online teaching centers on three main points:
1) You must be clear about your expectations!
Since students are not sitting right in front of you, it is extremely important to be very clear. Since you cannot see the students, you cannot see them sitting with a puzzled look while nodding their head in agreement.
How do you know if you are clear enough?