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 Westrpalloff@fielding.edu

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: rpalloff@gmail.com or rpalloff@fielding.edu

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:rpalloff@fielding.edurpalloff@gmail.comOr follow me on Twitter: @renapalloff