Posted by marjoryt on 6/01/08

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I started teaching online in 2000, as part of a pilot
project sponsored by the community colleges in the state.
My American Literature II course was the first and only
online, and it had 35 students.

Over the years as an online instructor, I've gone through at
least 4 different versions of Bb, experimented with various
platforms such as D2L and WebCT, taught 4 different courses,
taught at 2 different institutions, trained or assisted 5
different Distance Learning Coordinators, helped or trained
at least 15 new instructors, given 4 presentations about the
online experience. Here's what I think as an online instructor:
1) Technology changes. Get used to change, and embrace it.
You certainly can't stop it.
2) Not everyone wants technology. Don't bother to argue
with them, just wait for the train to roll over them and
step over.
3) You don't have to learn every bell and whistle, and you
probably shouldn't teach with every single one either.
4) Some students need handholding throughout the semester.
Better store all the advice you give them in a file, because
you'll be giving that advice MANY times in the future.
5) Sometimes the very best help you can give another
instructor or a student is via a phone call or a
face-to-face conference. Don't be afraid of the phone call.
6) Students REALLY like examples. They think you are a
great teacher if you give examples.
7) Don't overwhelm the online student with activities; they
resent busywork for the sake of keeping them busy. On the
otherhand, you need to get enough grades from them.
8) Administrators don't understand online unless they've
taught a course or taken one, and then they don't understand
the details.
9) Online administrators aren't good about creating networks
of staff, especially for the proctors!
10) I love teaching online as much as I do teaching in the
classroom. I'll like hybrid too, whenever it happens.

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