A resource developed by the Professional Development CentreAvoid some of the pitfalls and make the online experience for you and your students useful by learning from other online teachers. Below are links to a range of tip sheets assembled from interviews with successful online teachers, responses to student questionnaires and observation of online units.
- Getting Started Online
- One way to get started online is to use the online environment to augment your face-to-face teaching or your print-based units.
- Getting Over the Technology
- Technology is not always reliable or available. Design online coursework to allow you and your students to complete the unit no matter what.
- Breaking The Design Barrier
- Make it easy for students to get around your site. Help them by following some simple design principles that keep the screen uncluttered, easy to read and easy to download from.
- The Administration Advantage
- The online environment can help simplify administration in a variety of ways.
- Getting the Students Online
- Many internal students are fearful of the online learning environment and may need encouragement and specific instruction in how to engage with your online unit.
- Saying it Clearly online
- Communicating electronically is different. A friendly environment is needed as well as specific skills in communicating in this medium.
- Developing Online Courtesy
- Developing appropriate online behaviour is essential for successful interactions. It ensures that members of the group do not offend one another and that postings are thoughtful and considerate.
- Breaking Discussion Board Apathy
- Students don’t always use the discussion board, even though you may want them to. To encourage positive use, ensure the tasks are worthwhile.
- Providing the Expert Voice
- You have expertise gained over years of teaching, research and experience. This expert voice and feedback is what the students feel they are paying for.
These tip sheets are a product of the Breaking the Online Barrier to Learning Project run by Alison Bunker and Iris Vardi - a joint Edith Cowan University and Curtin University initiative. We hope you found them useful and would love your feedback via this evaluation form. It will take about 5 minutes to complete.
If you have contributions you can make about online teaching that you would like to share with others, please contact:
Alison Bunker
Professional Development Centre
Ph: 9370 6762
E-Mail: Alison Bunker
