Great stuff!

I have taught 6 fully on-line classes and about a dozen hybrid
classes over the past 6 years. Not to mention dozens of
web-assisted courses. I have used WebCT, Blackboard 6.2 and
7.2, and eCollege.

I agree with your comments about Bb...disappointing lack of
response to user feedback and issues.

I echo your observations. Regarding #10, I prefer teaching
hybrid classes and face-to-face over fully on-line
classes--but that is just me.

Let me add that students (especially today) really appreciate
fast response to inquiries. I finally made it my habit to
respond to inquiries as soon as humanly possible. Since I
check my email throughout the day, I try to respond with
thoughtful, thorough answers immediately...probably am at 95%
for answering within a 6 hours. I also use Yahoo IM and give
out my home phone number.

It is worth emphasizing that students like structure and
examples. For my hybrid class, I leave previous student
project presentations available on line as examples. Students
seem to appreciate that.

Good topic!

, especially On 6/01/08, marjoryt wrote:
> 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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