Just counted up; 8 years online, over 50 courses offered

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Just counted up; 8 years online, over 50 courses offered

by marjoryt

Jun 1, 2008

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 throug...See More

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bernoulli With the increased cost of gasoline, I am considering making some of my face-to-face classes into "slightly" hybrid classes with about 25% on-line. For example, for a class that meets two times each week, that would be one on-line class every other week. Part of my strategy is that if it works out well, I could make a few more classes on-line the n...See MoreWith the increased cost of gasoline, I am considering making some of my face-to-face classes into "slightly" hybrid classes with about 25% on-line. For example, for a class that meets two times each week, that would be one on-line class every other week. Part of my strategy is that if it works out well, I could make a few more classes on-line the next time around.

Part of my motivation is to give myself more flexible time on campus for meetings, networking, attending workshops, etc. I probably won't reduce driving very much for myself, but would for students.

On 6/03/08, bernoulli wrote: > 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.

Jun 30, 2008

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TenaPA You are obviously the one on the site with the most experience and know the ins and outs of online teaching. I wish to find out about jobs that are available now needing online professors/teachers. I find each site I go to has plenty of information about the learning programs of the facilities, but little to no info. about the teaching aspect. ...See More

Aug 9, 2008

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bernoulli On 8/09/08, TenaPA wrote: > You are obviously the one on the site with the most experience and > know the ins and outs of online teaching. I wish to find out > about jobs that are available now needing online > professors/teachers. I find each site I go to has plenty of > information about the learning programs of the facilities, but...See More

Aug 10, 2008

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