Mastering the Art of Teaching Online
We worked with some exceptional online teachers of current times when they were still making a transition from the real to the virtual world. And like you they were unsure how to go ahead and make it big. We helped them with some definitive tools and answered every possible question they had. We have compiled these answers to make the bible for mastering the art of online teaching.
Online teaching presents its own unique opportunities and challenges. In fact, the resources, skills, and tools needed for successfully teaching students online vary considerably from those of the traditional classroom.
Online teaching is a proven success
Students taking all or part of their class through an online platform performed better, on average than those who took the same course using only face-to-face instruction.
The achievement of learning outcomes by students engaged in online learning was found to be higher than those of students receiving traditional classroom instruction.
Update Pedagogy, don’t convert
It is important to understand that online teaching presents its own unique opportunities and challenges. So, moving from the traditional classroom environment to online instruction based platform requires more than merely converting course materials to an online platform. In fact, the resources, skills, and tools needed for successfully teaching students online vary considerably from those of the traditional classroom. In the online classroom, teaching techniques must be updated rather than reproduced.
Using many tools for successful teaching
The online teacher must employ a variety of resources and online teaching tools and consistently work to modify and improve their methods. A successful online teacher, then, in effect, acts as a kind of “bricoleur”— one who applies a diverse range of available materials and tools while consistently assessing, judging, and revising their pedagogical practices in order to improve learning.
The online teacher needs to have basic computer skills and be able to make the best use of a virtual classroom and its many tools, such as setting up courses, updating lessons, facilitating interactive class discussions, and managing course content. For this reason, a quality online learning platform can be an invaluable teaching tool.
What are the successful online courses are?
Instructor-Led
It is important that an online course be instructor-led, and that the teacher acts as an example for students by engaging with students frequently. A clear and consistent teacher presence is critical to a successful online course. However, instead of the lecture of the traditional classroom, teachers must create interesting and challenging activities and exercises to foster participation among students, while the teacher provides effective feedback and encouraging guidance. In order to avoid confusion and establish course protocols that work, directions should be clear and emphasized.
Student-centered
Online learning should be collaborative, incorporating small-group activities and team projects in which students must work together in order to foster an online community of peer learners. Collaborative learning enables students to increase their comprehension and expand their ideas through shared experiences and shared goals. Promoting collaboration can be a bit more challenging within the virtual realm of the online class, but, nonetheless, an online course should be student-centered, and the success of the course will depend on how well students are able to engage with one another in group discussion and online posts.
Quick tips for effective online teaching
- Encourage student-teacher contact and interaction.
- Encourage student cooperation and teamwork.
- Avoid using recorded lectures, and keep any that are used shortly.
- Encourage active learning.
- Make use of social media and other online tools.
- Incorporate a variety of resources and materials.
- Give prompt feedback and clear guidance.
- Emphasize the importance of deadlines.
Download this whitepaper now to get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, when making the transition online, including:
- Why should I move to online learning? Is it any good?
- How do I choose the perfect courseware?
- What really works? An instructor-led course or a set of recorded sessions?
- How do I manage my course content better?
- What WizIQ and other latest tools can I use to make the course a seller?
- How can I encourage active student engagement?
- What tools can I use to market my course more effectively?
- How can I utilize Facebook, Twitter or other social media to my benefit?
