Online Learning: Ways to Save Time

Does it require a larger time commitment to teach an online class? I don't think so. In fact, after you've developed the course, it should actually take less of your time. Remember that you're more of a facilitator, and that's not a bad thing.

http://www.lansing.cc.mi.us/cte/resources/teachingtips/tip8.aspx

Time Saving Tips for Teaching Online

Many faculty have found online teaching very time consuming. Here are a few time saving tips for teaching online from Evelyn Bach. (Adjunct Advocate, May/June 2005)

1. Don't respond to every student on the discussion board. Let students answer each others questions. In fact, responding too quickly may thwart further student discussion.

2. Require that students ask general questions on the discussion board so that you do not have to answer the same question multiple times. If someone asks a general question via email, post it on the discussion board with your response.

3. Set limits. Tell student when you are not available (i.e. weekends, specific evenings, etc.) so they will know what to expect.

4. Consider having assignments due at mid-week, particularly if you want to stay away from the computer over the weekend.

5. Save and reuse postings, announcements, and email notices from one semester to the next as applicable.

6. Have students format files in .rtf to minimize problems related to software conflicts.

7. Require that students name their files with their name and the name of the assignment to allow for more efficient file management and retrieval

How to Handle Tangents -- Create a Parking Lot

Do you have students that like to take the class off on tangents? Some do this on purpose, of course. Others are simply interested in seeing where certain ideas can go, but its not always productive to go off in that direction.

Nevertheless, you want to keep your students engaged, but you also need to keep the class focused and on task. The "parking lot" idea is one worth using, as it allows you to do both.

From: http://www.lansing.cc.mi.us/cte/resources/teachingtips/tip14.aspx

Parking Lot

Do your students sometimes digress from the topic at hand?

Are you torn because you want to address their questions but you are also concerned about interrupting the flow, or getting too far off topic?

Consider putting a "parking lot" on the board. It could be a circle or square where you record questions and ideas not directly related to the task at hand. If you use a "parking lot," consider one of the following options during the last few minutes of class:

1. Address the questions in the "parking lot" as appropriate, particularly if they relate to upcoming sessions.

2. Decide what "vehicles" will be driven away and by whom. If a question is not related to the topic, ask a volunteer to find the solution and share their findings either in the next class session or via your [d2l] course site. (If no one volunteers, maybe the question isn't worth pursuing.)

References
Adapted from the University of Kansas - Center for Teaching Excellence, Vol.2, No.4 "Teaching Matters" newsletter.

Planning Is the Key

As a teacher, have you ever gone into the classroom unprepared? Sure you have, but make sure that you're thoroughly prepared for the first day.

From: http://www.ctd.ucsd.edu/resources/teaching_tips/firstday.htm

Here are some good tips to keep in mind, not just for the first day, but for the entire class.

Planning is the Key! Make sure that all administrative details have been worked out before the first day of class.

Provide:
Your name, your home telephone number (optional), your office location, your office hours, (make them reasonably accessible), and office telephone number (if you have one).

Your home department, its location, mail code, and telephone number make class objectives clear.

Details on how the class will be organized.

Provide a calendar of tests and papers (if possible).

Know the time and location of alternate sections.

Discipline:
Explain the rules of the class and make them clear from the start.

Resolve conflicts outside of class (e.g. during office hours).

Time Management:
Plan your course, then plan each section with the final goal in mind.

Know the material as best as you can.

Organization And Presentation Of Material:
Organize material for the students, working toward stated goals.

Vary the format by which material is presented.

Let the material and/or objectives dictate the format used.

Modulate and project your voice.

Summarize periodically.

Blackboard Techniques:
Don't talk and chalk.

Start with a clean board, and write neatly.

Define any abbreviations.

Create a logical structure that emphasizes key ideas.

Be aware of students' sight lines to the board

Periodically move about so you don't continually block the same students

Class Discussions:
Arrange furniture so it is conducive to the chosen format.Make eye contact and be aware of your body language.

Make an effort to learn names.

Keep the objectives for the discussion clearly in mind; when the class digresses too far, refer back to the objectives.

Grading:
Make criteria and expectations clear.

Be consistent.

On subjective tests grade question by question rather than paper by paper--be prepared to explain your grading criteria.

Ethics:
Sexual harassment is explicitly and strictly forbidden.

Avoid ethnic and sexual humor, and treat your students as you would like to be treated.

Be watchful of those who do not generally contribute to discussions and find a way to reach them.