I m Teaching Online Next Term. What Do I Have to Know? Presented by: Dr. Larry Ragan 2011 Magna Publications Inc. All rights reserved. It is unlawful to duplicate, transfer, or transmit this program in any manner without written consent from Magna Publications. The information contained in this online seminar is for professional development purposes but does not substitute for legal advice. Specific legal advice should be discussed with a professional attorney. To make this program available to all your faculty and staff, contact Magna s Customer Service department at 1-800-433-0499 ext. 2 and ask about our Campus Access License.
12 Steps to Online Teaching Success Follow these 12 steps for a money-back guarantee of online teaching success. Failure to use these steps and you get your old teaching model back! Drivers License 1. Know how to use the learning management system. Owner s Manual 2. Know the structure, flow and rhythm of the course and how it is different from other teaching formats. Plan Ahead 3. Develop a calendar of the course activities and due dates and keep it handy! Manage It! 4. Create a personal teaching plan that defines daily, weekly and monthly course teaching activity. Own It! 5. Put your personal stamp on the course. Connections 6. Know your learners and their characteristics. Engage! 7. Know what strategies you will use throughout the course to engage your learners (early and often). Be Present! 8. Develop a routine to establish and maintain your "teaching presence." Teaching Expectations 9. Establish and communicate your teaching performance expectations. Student Expectations 10. Establish and communicate your expectations of students' performance. Measurement 11. Know how you will manage evaluation and student assessment. Support System! 12. Identify and USE your support resources (go-to people and systems) when problems arise. Relax and enjoy this new teaching environment!
Developed by Faculty Engagement Committee of the Penn State Online Coordinating Council 2011 28 Core Competencies for Online Teaching Success Technology The online instructor is able to: 1. complete basic computer operations, including creating and manipulating documents, managing files and folders, and working with multiple windows. 2. successfully log into the LMS and access the course. 3. successfully navigate the course space 4. set-up and manage the grade book, including making grades visible to students and exporting and recording grades to the University's grading system as required. 5. effectively use course communications systems via email, discussion forums, and announcements. 6. set up and manage teams/groups within a course. 7. manage the course roster to add instructors, teaching assistants, and outside guests with the appropriate permissions. 8. set up and fully utilize drop boxes for student submissions, including uploading and downloading contents. 9. manage the course files and folders within the LMS. Course Administration The online instructor is able to: 1. log-in to the course regularly (preferably on a daily basis) in order to respond to student inquiries, monitor student progress, engage in student activities, etc. 2. communicate to students, in advance, when assignments and exams will be graded and returned. 3. adhere to institutional syllabus policy see http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies/43-00.html /. 4. mediate course-related student conflicts as they arise - see http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/judicial/classdisrupt.shtml /. 5. adhere to the university's policies regarding the Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) - see http://www.registrar.psu.edu/confidentiality/ferpa_faq.cfm /. 6. revise course content and instruction based on student feedback as appropriate 7. identify the appropriate procedures for getting assistance and support when encountering a technical problem. 8. communicate expectations of student classroom behavior (netiquette guidelines).
Developed by Faculty Engagement Committee of the Penn State Online Coordinating Council 2011 Pedagogy The online instructor is able to: 1. direct the teaching and learning process. 2. respond to student inquiries. 3. provide prompt, clear, detailed feedback on assignments and exams. 4. communicate with students about course progress and changes. 5. create a learning environment that is safe and inviting. 6. monitor and manage student progress. 7. communicate course goals and outcomes. 8. show respect to students in his/her communications with them. 9. play an active role in online discussions when appropriate. 10. provide a good model of expected behavior for all course communication. 11. demonstrate a sensitivity to disabilities and diversities including aspects of cultural, cognitive, emotional and physical differences.
Penn State World Campus Performance Expectations Committee DRAFT 3/17/2011 Online Instructor Performance Expectations 1) Technology Access The instructor is responsible for meeting the same technology requirements as required for students. 1. Secure access to a high-speed bandwidth connection for class activities. 2. Test all course-related technology prior to the start of the course. 2) Course Management and Instruction The instructor is responsible for managing and teaching the class from start to finish. 1. Follow the established and published course schedule. 2. Conduct (that is, teach ) the course within the scheduled time frame. 3. Make and communicate schedule adjustments as necessary. 4. Provide each student equal opportunity to succeed. 3) Preparation The instructor is responsible for assuring that they possess the required skills and competencies for teaching online. 1. Be operationally proficient in the course technology. 2. Be prepared with the skills to teach online. 3. Be able to complete the required administrative tasks necessary to complete the course. 4) Course Familiarity The instructor is responsible for being adequately familiar with the online course. 1. Be familiar with the syllabus including course milestones, due dates and critical course activities. 2. Make changes to the syllabus as necessary and communicate the changes to the students. 3. Review and be familiar with the course content. 4. Identify and report inaccurate course content, confusing information and/or instructions, broken links, and other course design issues. 1
Penn State World Campus Performance Expectations Committee DRAFT 3/17/2011 5. Review the course teaching guide to gain an understanding of the intent/context of the course such as the authors teaching philosophy, content, learning activities, and assessments. 5) Availability The instructor is required to be available to the online learner for the duration of the course. 1. Regularly access the online course. 2. Notify students and appropriate administrative units if unable to log in to the course. 6) Communication The online instructor is responsible for managing course related communications. 1. Clearly communicate student expectations. 2. Communicate instructor class schedule and access. 3. Actively participate in course-related discussions and activities where appropriate. 7) Feedback The online instructor is responsible communicating with and providing feedback to students. 1. Provide prompt feedback. 2. Inform the learner of when they can expect a response if the instructor cannot provide a detailed response within 12 hours. 3. Provide clear and concise feedback to explain the degree to which the student is achieving the course/lesson outcomes. 4. Communicate to students when they can expect to receive graded feedback on assignments and exams. 8) Documentation & Record Keeping The online instructor is responsible for maintaining records of course transactions and communications. 1. Keep a record of communications with students including when other modes of communications are used. 2. Record and communicate student progress information such as assignment and quiz grades. 3. Post the final course grade promptly. 2