1、1,Student-Centered Online Teaching: Ten Best Practices,Dr. Susan Ko, Executive Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Maryland, University College FSI 2005 Keynote, May 17, 2005,2,Where are we now?,Online learning no longer a novelty. There is a body of experience and standards we
2、 can build on,3,Consensus on Basic Standards,Commission on Institutions of Higher Education-Best Practices for Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs (1999)The Sloan Consortium ReportFive Pillars of Quality Online Education (2002)Institute for Higher Education PolicyQuality on the Li
3、neBenchmarks for Success in Internet Based Distance Education (2002),4,We have come far,But misconceptions and fears about online education still abound,5,Common Misconceptions and Fears,Its an either-or worldonline in competition with face-to-face Faculty are helpless technophobes and technoboobs T
4、he quality of learning online is superficial Nuance of expression and personality are lost online,6, more misconceptions and fears,Online instructors have to be online 24 hours a day You need to be a computer-nerd. People-oriented people dont do well online,7,and even morefears,Online students are b
5、ig cheaters!,8,The Specter of Alienation,Unlike face-to-face classes, online classes are cold and alienating.,This is the teacher,9,Instructor as Social Director?,Online teaching reduces my role to “mere facilitator”,Shuffleboard, anyone?,10,Student-centered teachingwhat is it?,Focused on outcomes,
6、assignments aligned with learning objectives Attuned to student audience needs Promotes active learning and engagement Offers multiple modes of feedback and interaction Provides paths for practice, reinforcement, and growth Enthusiasm for subject and concern for students are evident,11,But its not,T
7、oo much or not enough content from instructor Assignments and readings without any guidelines or connection to objectives Posting a question on Monday and coming back to see what happened on Friday The “surprise” classkeeping students guessing about what, when, and how,12,Some Challenges for Online
8、Instructors,Communication, communication, etc. Coherent and logical organization of classroom, materials, etc. Planning and time-management Establishing presence and conveying personality, transforming “virtual” students into real ones Focus on teaching, but learn the technology Building classroom c
9、ommunity,13,Research on Best Practices,University of Maryland, University College Office of Evaluation, Research and Grants Best Online Instructional Practices StudyThree-phase research study (2002-2005) on online classrooms, based on student evaluations,instructor survey instrument on teaching prac
10、tices, retention data, and outcomes.,14,Methodology,The study uses a mixed-methods approach: 1) A survey of participating instructors experience as teachers using Instructional Practices Inventory 2) Peer-review of archived courses 3) Interviews with selected instructors and use of focus groups amon
11、g them 4) Student class evaluations and institutional data and their association with teaching practices 5) Detailed assessment of learning outcomes,15,Sample Used in Study,Piloted with small sample of highly achieving faculty (8 faculty) Extended study to a representative sample (114 faculty member
12、s) Identified best practitioners and learned how practices are implemented via interviews (38 exemplary faculty) Implemented a detailed assessment plan measuring learning outcomes (15 selected courses),16,Expectations for Online Teaching,Expectations for Classroom Setup and Online Teaching Consensus
13、 document on base-line set of expectations for faculty teaching online Posted on our Website www.umuc.edu/facdev/expectations Widely distributed through training, faculty handbooks, orientations, etc.,17,Best Practice #1Design your Course,Put some thought into your course design Strategies: Identify
14、 and reinforce course goals and objectives throughout the course Make sure your assignments are aligned with your learning objectives Build in safeguards against cheating and plagiarism through assignment design Pay attention to the pace and sequence Be consistent in organization, nomenclature,18,Be
15、st Practice #2Use Variety of Learning Approaches,Different approaches stimulate interest, appeal and provide challenges to different learners Strategies: Use case studies, peer-to-peer activities, project-based assignments, debates, guest speakers Integrate multimedia, library and Web-resources so t
16、hat they are intrinsically valuable Provide guidelines for all group activities,19,Best Practice #3Be Prepared,Online courses require an initial large investment of time and preparation, and updating thereafter Strategies: Build out as much of your course as possible before it launches Update each t
17、ime before it runs, and refresh from time to time,20,Best Practice #4Start Out Strong,Start out on a good footing from 1st day: Strategies: “Be there” to welcome the classwarm greeting with instructions on getting started Introductions forumicebreakers (you, too) A detailed syllabus and schedule wit
18、h contact info, dates for each unit of course, directions, criteria, due dates for assignments, participation, grading,21,Best Practice #5Provide for Interaction,Provide opportunities for interaction between instructor and students, students with students, and student with content Strategies: Intera
19、ct with students in classroom on a regular and frequent basisthrough announcements, discussion board, emails to whole class Encourage students to talk with one other, not only to you,22,More on Interaction,Design assignments that involve sharing of ideas, or team-work Build an assignment around a pr
20、imary source, multimedia, or Web resource Facilitate but dont dominate discussion Start initial discussion threads to get things moving Define participation and give credit for it Send a personal email as friendly reminder to students who are not participating,23,Best Practice #6Promote Active Learn
21、ing and Critical Thinking,Build in critical thinking and active learning strategies Ask students to research and defend a position Routinely ask follow-up questions while facilitating discussion, encourage students to do the same Design assignments that require students to substantiate their ideas,
22、verify and document their information,24,Best Practice #7Connect to Real-life Experience,Encourage students to apply real-world experience to course content Encourage students to draw on personal examples and observations that are relevant to the course Tie contemporary events or issues to course co
23、ntent Whenever possible, encourage students to incorporate their own goals into study,25,Best Practice #8Give Feedback,Give regular, timely, and varied forms of feedback Strategies: Clearly describe grading and assignment criteria Use rubrics to help guide students as well as to simplify feedback an
24、d grading process Respond to students as promptly as possible,26,More on Feedback,Strategies: Provide individualized feedback on key assignments, and special attention to first major assignment Let students know how they can improve Refer students to resources for assistance whenever appropriate and
25、 available Carefully structured peer review can provide a valuable element,27,Best Practice #9Clearly Define Grading Criteria and Processes,Clearly defined, systematic grading criteria to guide student work, manage expectations Provide rubrics or clearly defined criteria up front Let students know y
26、our “turn-around” time Let students check progress through online gradebook Provide individual incentive on group projects,28,Best Practice #10Maintain Enthusiasm,Maintain your own enthusiasm about the subject matter and communicate that enthusiasm to students Strategies: Stay organized Be an active
27、 presence in the class,29,and more enthusiasm,Strategies: Make sure assignment load is reasonable For the sake of your students, but for you, too!,No fois gras, please!,30,and even more enthusiasm,Strategies: Review and assess your own skills, teaching methods and style on a regular basis Analyze st
28、udent evaluations to learn areas of strength and areas for improvement Keep current in your field Set an example for your students of life-long learningparticipate in faculty development activities like those offered by ION,31,Thank you!,Bring your questions to the “Online Teaching Clinic”Feel free to contact me in the future at skoumuc.edu,
