It is important to keep a record of communication and interactions between faculty and students. I learned about the different types of students and how they may present online. 

All types of learners exist in virtual and in person classes. It is important to make sure to pay attention if a student is feeling alienated online to minimize attrition and support the student on their journey. 

I learned about appropriate times to utilize asynchronous and synchronous discussions and that encouragement is important to online courses.

It is important to get to know your students, share some about yourself, and be personable regardless of if they are an online learner or in your classroom. Having open communication can lead students to feel more comfortable to come to you when issues arise in their virtual classes. 

Online learners and instruction has different strengths and weaknesses when compared to in person instruction. It is of utmost importance that instructors know how to utilize all aspects of a virtual classroom and keep on top of updating the calendar, responding to students, posting discussion questions etc.

Collaborative and cooperative learning is the learning of the future.  While we a lack of it in K-12, it must be brought to the forefront of higher education.  Challenging discussion boards for example.  I have a political science/history discussion board that revolves around the Housing crisis of 2008 and askes the student to evaluate two groups,  Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, to show their similarities  and differences.  How they reflect into  American political concepts like Progressivism, Equality, Pursuit of Happiness or the Preamble.  

What helps students in being successful and assists them in improving their quality of work is providing feedback. As instructors, it is important that we provide feedback so they can always improve and master their course.

I have learned the importance of developing road map that assists students by having a logical sense of the course and its expectations as well as a guide for their success. 

I've learned that course consistency is important and I intend to use it by creating templates that I can use each module.

Online Instructional units should be short an concise modules.