10 Tips for Effective Online Teaching

Due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of students learning online continues to increase at colleges and universities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 73% of postsecondary students were enrolled in at least one distance education course in the fall of 2020.

Online learning offers students flexibility and the opportunity to access education and training from anywhere. As more students choose remote courses, more instructors are shifting to online teaching. Online learning can pose challenges for educators. The tips below can help you ensure your online classes are rich and rewarding for students.

Teaching online can free teachers from set schedules, long commutes, and working in physical classrooms. Career opportunities abound for instructors working in elementary and adult education settings and at high schools and universities.

According to NCES, 14.1 million postsecondary students were enrolled in at least one online learning course in fall 2020. Many schools have turned to online instruction during the pandemic, with 43% of students in fourth grade and eighth grade enrolled in remote education as of February 2021.

Online learning can provide college students with the flexibility to reach their educational goals. Individuals seeking to further their education can complete courses around work schedules or family commitments.

Teaching online does require a shift in teaching style. Online teachers become coaches, guiding students through the material. Students must take a more active role in their learning process.

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Your syllabus serves as a road map for students throughout the course, setting expectations and outlining assignments. Make sure to include your contact information, office hours, and the best way to contact you. Offer basic information on accessing the course content and explain course objectives. Be sure to clearly state your grading criteria and any class policies. If you will penalize students who turn in work late, make sure they know what time assignments must be returned.

Online teaching platforms offer a wealth of resources. Spend time learning how to use your platform before the start of the course. Find out if your school or employer offers training sessions or instructional coaching. You may also be the first person a student reaches out to with technical issues. Learn to troubleshoot common problems and make sure you know who to call if you cannot help a student resolve an issue.

While many online classes do not require students to log on at specific times, you can offer students the opportunity. Offering live lectures through video streaming can facilitate class discussions and provide more student-teacher interaction. You can include a chat function or other method to let students ask questions or discuss the material. Be sure to record the session so you can share the recording with students unable to log in at the time of the lecture.

Charts and graphs can easily communicate information to students. Many students may learn better with visual representations of data or key points. Photos and other graphic elements can also help hold students’ attention. Create slide presentations that incorporate these elements. Your slides can also review key points from lectures and serve as lecture notes for students. You can send the slides to students after a lecture so they can use them as a study guide as they prepare for exams.

Teaching online allows you to be creative. In addition to recorded lectures and reading assignments, you can use interactive quizzes or games that help students understand the material. Facilitate online discussions of reading assignments. Encourage students to interact with each other and offer input. Many learning methods suit some students better than others. Try to include a variety of instructional methods to offer every student the opportunity to succeed.

Using supplemental resources that require separate subscriptions or restricted access can make it hard for students to complete the work. Coordinate with your library to ensure students can access academic journals or other materials you share. Otherwise, stick with open-source materials available to everyone. If you post something that is only accessible with a subscription, expect an inbox full of messages from students who can’t access the material.

Don’t put off grading assignments. Many courses build on material throughout the semester. Timely grading and feedback allow you to check student progress and pinpoint areas where you may need to provide additional instruction. Feedback also lets students identify areas where they can improve. Online teachers must possess good time management and organizational skills to keep the class moving forward.

Online office hours can allow you to form connections with students despite the distance. Students can bring questions or concerns about the course to you for one-on-one discussion. If your classes meet asynchronously, office hours also ensure students can check in with you throughout the term if they experience challenges with assignments. These virtual office hours can be held by phone, chat, or video conference. You may vary your hours from week to week to ensure all students have the opportunity to connect.

Group projects can be valuable learning experiences, but online students can’t necessarily meet at the university library for a planning session. Ensure your students know about tools that can help them work together while working remotely. Identify software that’s available through the school, such as a subscription to Microsoft Teams, or free services like Zoom. Include accountability measures to ensure all team members participate in group assignments.

Before a class goes live, double-check your work. Preview slides on a phone or tablet to make sure they display correctly. Make certain links to websites or other resources still work. Have a colleague view the class from their computer to identify any issues before students log on. Test your internet connection for streaming videos and making video calls. You can reduce technical challenges by taking proactive steps.