Rena M. Palloff, Ph.D.Fielding Graduate University and Crossroads West
December 12, 2013
Sponsored by
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE ONLINE:How to Develop Excellent Online
Instructors
Today’s Speakers
Rena Palloff, Ph.DFaculty, Fielding Graduate University &Principal, Crossroads [email protected]
Kenneth C. Green, moderatorFounding DirectorThe Campus Computing Project & Digital Tweed blogger @ Inside Higher Edhttp://campuscomputing.net
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Q & A
A Phased Approach to Faculty Development
VisitorPedagogy
TechnologyContentPersonal
NovicePersonal
PedagogyTechnology
Content
ApprenticePedagogy
TechnologyContentPersonal
InsiderPedagogyContent
TechnologyPersonal
MasterTechnology
ContentPedagogyPersonal
Personal Pedagogy
TechnologyContent
Where do you see yourself?
Are you a:VisitorNoviceApprentice InsiderMaster
Assessing Instructor Readiness to Teach Online
Willingness to learn Willingness to surrender some control over
course design and customary teaching style
Ability to collaborate with peers Willingness to move away from traditional instruction Ability to build a support system Patience with technology Ability and willingness to learn from others
outside the university and within (including students!
What Online Learners Want!
Clear instruction about course expectations and assignments
A high level of instructor interaction A reasonable load in terms of reading,
posting, email, and other assignments Reassurance that their ideas are on
track
More of What Online Learners Want!
Prompt, unambiguous feedback An orientation to the technology in use
and also to their classes Technical support during the hours that
they need it
Good Faculty Development Should Include:
Face-to-face and online sessions Ability to work as a learner AND an
instructor Customization to instructor and
institutional needs Consideration of past online
experience – remember those phases!
What Excellent Instructors Know
Use only the technology that serves learning objectives
Keeping it simple! Web pages that don’t scroll forever Limited (but appropriate) use of
audio, video, synchronous and other multimedia
More of What Excellent Instructors Know
Use of intros, profiles, and bios to help create a learning community
Use of ice breaker activities
Use of experience-based exercises or activities
Use of a social area in the course
Basically – how to build a learning community!
More Best Practices Post communication guidelines,
including netiquette Model good communication Follow up with non-participants Post clear expectations about
assignment completion, participation, timelines, and posting requirements
Instructional Techniques to Support Online Learners
Ask open-ended questions to stimulate discussions and encourage reflection
Include a variety of assignments, such as case studies, small group work, simulations, and the like, to stimulate critical thinking
Vary course activities to address multiple learning styles, keep things interesting, and encourage engagement
Consider the use of mobile technology as a teaching tool and resource for assignment completion
Core Elements that Assist in Faculty Development Training for Excellence
Encourage self-assessment to see where instructors are and what they need
Create a support network Design a mentorship program Provide lots of support and feedback
What are your greatest training needs?
Personal
Pedagogical
Content
Technical
In addition…
Let them make mistakes! Showcase success and
excellence Don’t force it! Meet them where they are by
using the phased approach Treat instructors the way you
want them to treat their students
Most Important…
Don’t go at this alone! Empower and use your MASTERS to help train the others!
Encourage self-development Provide incentives like
release time and food!
Some Final Tips Don’t use cookie-cutter
approaches Don’t assume that novices will
know what to do with little guidance
Align faculty training with the way that classes SHOULD be taught – use best practices in online teaching
Honor experience! Use adult-oriented, constructivist
approaches for training
A Model System for Faculty Development
Faculty Developm
ent
Institutional Support
Self-Developme
nt
• Faculty community
• Focus on excellence
• Focus on ongoing training
• Inclusive planning process
• Support• Student
satisfaction and performance
References and Resources
Lessons from the Virtual Classroom – 2nd Edition (2013) The Excellent Online Instructor (2011) Building Online Learning Communities – 2nd Edition (2009) Assessing the Online Learner (2008) Collaborating Online (2004) The Virtual Student (2003) Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom (2001) Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace (1999)All are published by Jossey-BassTo Contact Rena: [email protected] or [email protected]
Discussion
Let’s talk among ourselves!
To Contact Rena
If you’d like to be in touch after the webinar, you can reach me at:[email protected]@gmail.comOr follow me on Twitter: @renapalloff