Just as with any class (whether F2F or online) there are students with specific needs. Encourage your students to provide specific information about those needs and tell them you will accommodate as best you can. There are circumstances where you may need to involve others to assist you in the accommodations.

However, there are some simple things you can do. For example, if you record your voice over PowerPoint or use another software package to do the same, provide the script for students to read as well. And, vice versa - if you provide a reading, there are some software… >>>

Instructors may use a variety of teaching styles.  It is important for instructors to think about how they teach, identify if it is connected to how they learn, and recognize that not all students may learn through the same way.  When investigating or developing teaching styles, authoritative instructors tend to be more teacher-centered and believe they are responsible for providing content.  This provides for less student engagement.  If this is the instructor’s preferred teaching style, they should realize students need interaction and provide such interaction. As an online instructor, you should be more of a facilitator of knowledge with student-centered… >>>

There are a variety of technology tools to use when teaching online.  These technology tools assist in the teaching process and organization of the course and course content.  A few technology tools include (in alphabetical order): Blogs, Digital Portfolios, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Podcasting, Screen Capture Programs, Virtual Classrooms, and Wikis.   

The most important thing, and many times the most difficult thing for the instructors, is to determine which technology tool is the appropriate technology to use in an online course.  Blogs, short for Weblogs, are typically used as online journals and reflections.  Digital Portfolios or e-Portfolios allow students to create an… >>>

Communication is very important in an online environment. Meeting with students synchronously is effective for answering questions that several students may have. Another effective technique is to have online office hours where you can chat with students individually or use software that allows the use of Web cameras so that you can see and talk with students individually. When you have online office hours, students can come to you virtually. These are excellent venues for students to come to the instructor with questions.

Remember, however, that not all communication is verbal. Written communication is also essential. Therefore, your syllabus must… >>>

Many times when we become online instructors, we feel like we become a 24-7 instructor who has to be online all the time.  I learned the hard way that if you respond immediately to a student's email or posting on a discussion board, they will expect it every time.  I also learned that if you make an assignment due on Monday at 8:00 a.m. because you want students to have the weekend to work on the assignment, you better be online all day Sunday because that is when they will have questions.  By learning the hard way, I have developed… >>>

We begin today a forum to discuss holistic issues of teaching online as well as practical strategies to make the online experence better for both the student and the educator.  Our hope is to create an environment to ask questions, to share techniques and to streamline workload. 

The online learning space is what you want it to be!  As an educator, you define the perimeters and the expectations of the learning environment.  Currently, most of us teaching have not particpated in an online course.  What we know about learning in a classroom is assocated with a "brick" space not a… >>>