Best Online Teaching Practices-2010

 Encourage contact between student and faculty
o Structured discussions or debate
o Small-group discussions

 Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students
o Set up small groups for ease in discussion
o Build a problem solving forum
o Encourage student-to-student support

 Use active learning techniques
o Hands-on-experiences
o Small-group discussions
o Study analysis
   Virtual field trips


 Give prompt feedback
o Grades should be posted within a week
o Questions should be answered within 24 hours

 Emphasize time on task

 Communicate high expectations
o Course Syllabus expresses clear expectations
o Clearly explain grading policy
Websites that contain Best Online Teaching Practices.


DESIGN FOR LEARNING http://www.designingforlearning.info/services/writing/ecoach/tenbest.html

eLearning Magazine: 10 Things I’ve Learned About Teaching Online

http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=best_practices&article=57-1

vuDAT Virtual University Design and Technology: Michigan State University

offers a great website exploring and explaining the aspects of 10 years of research in online learning experiences.

http://vudat.msu.edu/teach/

Video link:

I found the suggestions given by Dr. Elsa Barkley Brown on using PodCasting to explain the weekly assignment in a pre-cast/post-cast mode to be innovative. The use of audio to personalize and humanize online learning and as a technique for reducing insecurity among online learners is effective. Dr. Elsa Barkley Brown does not give online lectures she uses PodCasting as a tool to respond to feedback and guide instruction. Best Practices in Online Teaching, Dr. Elsa Barkley Brown: http://vimeo.com/15158381

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). Facilitating online learning [Multimedia]. Distance Learning. Retrieved from Week seven resources.

Levine, R. (2010, May). Top 10 quotes on collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/office/collaboration/articles/71425.aspx

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.