Additional Considerations for Teaching Online
Inclusive Pedagogy
Deliver Course Content in Multiple Formats
In online courses, much of the material is delivered in writing. Written delivery may present certain challenges for students whose first language is not English. This can be addressed by offering various delivery formats like video, captions, transcripts, podcasts, etc. for students to engage with content
Ensure Course Materials are Accessible
It is essential that materials in an online course are accessible:
- Images must be accessible. To do this, include alternative text descriptions.
- Alternative means of accessing multimedia content must be provided in the form of closed captions or transcripts. See Accessibility by Design for guidance.
- Course multimedia should be easy to use (plays on different devices, stream smoothly, contains clear audio, videos and lectures are less than 10 minutes, etc.)
Feedback & Assessment
Utilize Online Discussion Forums
Utilize the online discussion forum at least once in each module for the instructor and students to pose questions and share insights. This allows the instructor to see if students are grasping content in each module and where to provide more information or steer students back on course. It also allows students to receive feedback before moving on.
Rubrics
Rubrics should be built into the learning management system (LMS) so that students have them handy for each assignment and can clearly see how assignments will be assessed before they complete the assignment.
Classroom Climate
Organize Your Online Course Effectively
A simple way to foster a supportive classroom climate in an online course is to ensure that students can find your content. When the course structure is consistent with logically organized modules and materials, students can focus on learning the course content rather than finding material in the course. Use the CSU Course Template to ensure consistent organization and navigation
Establishing Online Classroom Etiquette
Create an emotionally and intellectually safe online classroom environment. The nature of an online course makes it easy for participants to misread comments or take them out of context. Give students an explicit guide to constructive online interactions by defining clear guidelines and modeling the communication style and etiquette expected for communications and discussion forums.
Curriculum/Curricular Alignment
Let Learning Objectives Guide Content
As you create your online modules, include the learning objectives at the beginning of each module. Let the learning objectives guide the content and assignments included in each module.
Syllabus Essentials for Online Teaching
A syllabus for an online course may contain some additional information (technology requirements, netiquette rules, information about how the course shell is set up, etc.). Review the Course Preparation Checklist to link your syllabus in Canvas and make sure you have everything you need to publish your course.
Student Motivation
Establish An Audio and Video Presence
Establish an audio and video presence in your online and hybrid courses to help your students feel comfortable with you. View this video from Dr. Julie Taylor-Massey for inspiration.
Utilize Multiple Tools To Keep Students Informed
Remember that communication in an online course is key: utilize announcements, discussions, grading tools, emails and phone calls to motivate your students. Provide timely and detailed responses to online discussion posts and assignments. It is especially important in an online course to notice when a student has stopped attending. Consider sending the student a short email to check-in and see how they are doing.
Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Utilize Online Discussion Forums
Synchronous tools such as chats or web conferences can be beneficial to creating community and common experiences but challenging to manage. This isn’t to say you should never incorporate synchronous learning but be mindful of the reasons that students take courses online. Many students take online classes because they have full-time jobs, military, or family obligations that limit their availability. Use synchronous learning sparingly, communicate any requirements well in advance, and be prepared to offer alternatives to students who do not have flexible schedules.
Instructional Strategies
Active Learning Is Possible in the Online Classroom
A common fear is that the online classroom doesn’t lend itself to active learning in the same way that the RI classroom does. While it may look a little different or be asynchronous, you can use active learning in your online course just as you would in your face-to-face course – you just might have to make a few tweaks to get there! Learn more at Active Learning Strategies by Instructional Modality.