Instructional Technology Conference 2008

Title: Tips and Tricks for Teaching Online

Name: Susie Gronseth

Audience Level: Intermediate

Audience: Faculty, deans, instructional technology specialists, librarians

Length: 1 hour

Abstract:
Drawing from an extensive body of research, this session will present best practices for teaching in the online environment. Techniques for effectively using online teaching tools such as chat rooms, discussion boards, blogs, wikis, social bookmarks, and video will be discussed. The session concludes with an overview of multi-user environments (MUVEs) and other emerging technologies relating to online education.

Description:
Online coursework is a rapidly growing facet of post-secondary education. Many institutions have complete degree programs online, and an increasing number of colleges and universities offer online courses in a variety of content areas. Students choose online courses for the flexibility of time and place the format affords. Experienced face-to-face educators may find the online environment challenging as they endeavor to overcome issues of distance, student accountability, engagement, time and information management, access, and technical difficulties. This session will present best practices drawn from current online education research to equip instructors to be able to better handle these issues. The session will attempt to answer the questions -

• "What constitutes good online teaching?";
• "What can online teachers do to engage their students?";
• "What face to face instructional methods translate well to the online environment?";
• "How can online teaching facilitate interaction between the instructor and the students?";

Along with a unique set of challenges, many online classrooms feature innovative tools for presenting content, coordinating virtual discussions, promoting cooperative learning, and assessing student work. In this session, research-based strategies for effectively utilizing some of these tools, including chat, discussion boards, blogs, wikis, social bookmarks, and video, will be discussed. Proactive techniques for motivating and engaging online students will be demonstrated as well. The session will conclude with an overview of multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) and other emerging technologies relating to online education.

Session Type: Lecture/Presentation

Contact information/affiliation:
Susie Gronseth
Online Instruction Specialist, Kentucky Wesleyan College;
Ph.D student, Indiana University
sgronseth@kwc.edu
3000 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 852-3253

Equipment: Internet access, screen; can bring own laptop and data projector

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