Tips and Tricks for Teaching Online: How to Teach Like a Pro

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Tips and Tricks for Teaching Online How to
Teach Like a Pro!

• Kaye Shelton
• Dallas Baptist University
• George Saltsman
• Abilene Christian University

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Teaching online is like gardening..
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Consider the Following Phases

• Prepare the Soil
• Sow the Seed
• Nurture Growth
• Enjoy Harvest

Structure Learning Environment Introduce
Material Encourage Academic Growth Evaluate
Effectiveness
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Phase 1 Prepare the SoilDevelop and Structure
the Learning Environment
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Syllabus Preparation

• Contract
• Clearly State Objectives
• Provide a Map Course Schedule
• Clarify Expectations
• Participation required
• Offer a sample discussion posting
• Response time
• Fastback hour
• Chatroom office hours

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Communicate Policies

• Late Work
• Penalty or replacement assignments
• Grading Scales and Rubrics
• Link or replicate for each assignment

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Create Orientation Aids

• Create a Document Specific to Course
• Create Course FAQ
• Create discussion board for questions
• Compile multiple semesters together

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Communication Practices

• Email Folders for Each Student
• Read Mail Newest to Oldest
• Course Name In Subject Line
• Immediate Help? Put Help In Subject Line
• Word Processors for Drafts
• Institutional Email for Students If Possible
• Save All Coursework to Removable Media

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Phase 2 Sow the SeedIntroduce Material
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Establish Community

• Welcome Email and Announcement
• Class Introductions
• www.keirsey.com
• www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp
• www.kingdomality.com

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Emphasize the Syllabus

• Create a Quiz or Scavenger Hunt
• Offer Bonus Points for Completion

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Establish a Tone of Excellence

• Grade Assignments Stringently
• Grade Assignments Timely
• Encourage On-time Submissions

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Phase 3 Nurture GrowthEncourage Academic and
Intellectual Growth
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Provide Ample Communication

• Lack of Instructor Communication Creates Negative
  Learning Community
• Example Dont take a vacation the first week of
  class
• Reflective/Proactive Communication
• Summation/transition between modules
• Create a Dont call me, Ill call you Pattern
  for Grade Information

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Facilitate the Discussion

• Participate But Dont Dominate
• Respond Quickly
• Model behavior you require
• Randomly/Selectively Reply to Students
• Intervene When Going the Wrong Way
• Encourage When Going the Right Way
• Prompt Lurkers

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Communication Practices

• Treat Students as Unique
• Use first name or nickname in all correspondence
• Provide Emotion
• Emoticons or emotion in parentheses
• (Your instructor just lowered his head and kicked
  the sand)

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Groupwork

• Create Appropriately Sized Groups
• Outline Expectations for Activities
• Establish Group Roles
• Summarizer
• Encourager
• Checker
• Technician
• Instructor Assigned for the First Activity

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Phase 4 Enjoy HarvestEvaluate Effectiveness
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Evaluate

• Keep a Journal of Course Activities While
  Teaching
• Make notes of successes and problems
• Explicitly define areas of failure
• Solicit Feedback
• Instruction
• Course content and design

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Presentation Availablewww.acu.edu/saltsman

• kaye_at_dbu.edu
• saltsman_at_acu.edu