Building Community in Online Courses

Communication in the Online Classroom

Estimated Time: 1hr

Communication is an essential component in the online classroom. Since the online environment does not provide the opportunity for teachers to read body language or facial expressions, it is important for instructors to communicate effectively. Effective communication can foster a sense of community in the online classroom and enhance the learning experience for everyone.

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Integrating Collaborative Activities

Estimated Time: 1hr

Instructional strategies and methods are used by teachers to create learning environments for their students. As we have discovered, everyone has a different learning style. In order to support all students, regardless of learning style, online educators need to use a variety of instructional strategies so that each student can be successful in the classroom.

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Learning Styles and the Online Learner

Estimated Time: 1hr

The online environment is much different than the traditional face-to-face classroom. Online courses require a unique commitment from the student. In addition, students need to be proficient with technology as well as self-starters. Instructors need to be aware of how their students learn so they can adjust and adapt their teaching methods and strategies.

Online Assessment, Grading, and Feedback

Estimated Time: 1hr

Assessment is an important part of any learning environment and feedback is particularly important in an online learning environment. Online students may potentially feel alienated since they do not have face-to-face contact with their instructor and classmates. Therefore, instructors need to work at communicating and offering feedback to students during the learning process. Additionally, instructors must provide clear expectations and grading policies at the beginning of the class. 

Online Course Instruction

The goal of this course is to help participants with online course Instruction. Being an effective, online instructor requires a set of skills that are similar to those required in the face-to-face classroom. The online instructor must be able to build community while having little to no face-to-face contact, offer clear and informative feedback, communicate effectively in a medium that lacks body language and tone of voice, as well as use instructional strategies that are independent of time and space to support student learning. The added aspect of the required technologies also comes into play.

This course will introduce participants to the many facets of online Instruction to build skills in four areas: technical, managerial, social, and pedagogical.

Online Course Management and Organization

Estimated Time: 1hr

Online courses provide anywhere, anytime learning. That means that the online classroom is open 24/7 for both the student and the instructor. Online instructors need to develop time management skills when dealing with students who now have 24/7 access.

Online Learning and the Instructor

Estimated Time: 1hr

In this workshop, you will explore the online environment in order to become familiar with it and how it is different from the face-to-face learning environment. You will examine how the roles and responsibilities of instructors change when teaching online and the skills you will need to be successful as an online educator.