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This pdf provides some points Checklist for online teaching practices a teacher may require to get maximum output from her/his classes.
1.
Online Teaching Best Practices Checklist
Before class begins
☐Welcome Letter [about two weeks before class begins]
What is it? An email or document attachment sent to students a few weeks
before the class begins.
Why should I do it? To welcome students to the course, reinforce that it is an
online course, direct them to information about what technology they will
need, and provide them with course information such as the textbook to
purchase and how to access Blackboard Learn/Bb tutorials.
How do I do it? Start with the Welcome Letter template in the “Build” section
of Resources on the Online Teaching website for ideas on what to include, then
tailor this information to your own course.
☐Open your course, not your modules [about one week before class begins]
What is it? Open your non-content items in your course early, such as your
Start Here folder, your instructor introduction, your syllabus and schedule,
your course overview/orientation screencast, etc.
Why should I do it? So that students have a chance to become familiar with
the layout and structure of the course, watch your introduction, read the
syllabus, etc., and then are able to dive in to learning on the first day of the
course.
How do I do it? Set your learning modules/unit/folders to be released on the
first day of the course, but ensure the rest of your course is accessible to
students. Let them know, via the Welcome Letter, when the course will open
and that they are encouraged to log in early and explore course resources.
The First Week
☐Welcome Announcement [Day One]
What is it? An announcement welcoming students to the course.
Why should I do it? To set the tone and expectations for the course and,
additionally, remind students that their online course has begun.
How do I do it? Craft a concise announcement that gives students a good idea
of what they can expect from the course, including total number of hours per
week they’ll spend in the course, interaction requirements, how to reach out
with questions, etc. Consider ways to create a positive, motivating, welcoming
tone that lets students know that they can succeed in the course.
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Kent State Online – http://www.kent.edu/onlineteaching
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2.
☐TechHelp/technology announcement
What is it? An announcement that reminds students where to go for
technology help and reiterates not to use Internet Explorer as their browser.
Why should I do it? To reinforce for students that you are not the TechHelp
desk, but they have 24/7 support available, and to proactively address issues
with using the wrong browser, etc.
How do I do it? If you’re using the Kent State Online template, remind them
that there’s a direct link in the left-hand navigation. In the announcement,
include the web link to TechHelp as well as the phone number.
☐Email students who have not logged in [Day Three]
What is it? A direct email to individual students who have not accessed the
course in the first few days.
Why should I do it? To see if they are having problems logging in and need
help, to reinforce that they must log in to the course several times a week, and
to establish a connection with students who may be struggling.
How do I do it? Using the email tool within Blackboard Learn, send an email
out to all students who have not yet logged in to the course. Ask them if they
are having issues logging in, or if there is anything you can do to help. Ask
them to either log in to the course or respond to you by a given date.
Beginning Weeks
☐First Assignment Reminder announcement (continue reminders throughout course)
What is it? An announcement reminding students of the due date and time of
their first assignment. You might also attach the course schedule of
assignments and due dates or remind students where it is in the course.
Why should I do it? To provide the same reminders we do in face-to-face
classes, to help students develop a schedule, and to prevent procrastination.
How do I do it? Post an announcement with the assignment in the subject line
and let students know when it is due. Remind them where the assignment
information/prompt/rubric is, and what tool they will be using. You might
also let them know when they can expect feedback, and post an additional
announcement when they have grades and feedback to view.
☐Office Hours announcement
What is it? An announcement reminding students when you are available for
live office hours and how they can contact you. You can also consider holding
topic-specific office hours, such as for a big assignment or complex topic,
where students can email questions ahead of time.
Why should I do it? To remind students that you are available to answer
questions or provide more information at any time.
How do I do it? Post an announcement with your stated “live” office hours
and let students know how they can contact you (instant answer via email,
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Kent State Online – http://www.kent.edu/onlineteaching
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license, visit http://creative commons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
3.
office phone, IM chat, Skype, etc.). For special sessions, take questions ahead of
time (and create some of your own to address), and hold and record the
session in Bb Collaborate. Then, post the session in your course.
Throughout the Course
☐”Just in Time” online teaching
What is it? A webcam video, audio recording, or text-based post that provides
more information on concepts that students (through their questions or work)
seem to be confused about. You can create “Clarification Point” videos to
clarify topics, post additional resources, or address misconceptions/ answer
questions within the module, or respond to questions in an open Q&A
discussion forum.
Why should I do it? To provide students with additional information or
explication for difficult or complex course topics or problems.
How do I do it? Create a webcam or screencast with Kaltura or another
technology, or create an audio file or text post. Post as an announcement, or
add an item within the relevant module and let students know, via an
announcement, that you’ve added information.
☐Summary announcements
What is it? Summary announcements can be used to summarize the big ideas
from a module that is ending, or to provide summary feedback to the whole
class that highlights good ideas contributed, etc. They can also be used to
connect the topics together that students are learning in the course or connect
the topics to real-world scenarios.
Why should I do it? To help students focus on the big takeaways from a
module or discussion, highlight the major points for a reading, and/or provide
closure and connection from one learning unit to the next. Summary feedback
can also highlight for students what an exemplary assignment includes, and
give greater insight into your expectations.
How do I do it? Post an announcement indicating you’re providing either a
summary/takeaway of a module or providing summary/overall feedback on
an assignment. For the former, also consider connecting the past module to
what students will be learning next. For the latter, consider posting a webcam
video, screencast, or audio file, so that students can gain encouragement and
insight from the tone of your voice.
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Kent State Online – http://www.kent.edu/onlineteaching
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License. To view a copy of this
license, visit http://creative commons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
4.
☐Instructor Blog
What is it? A blog that you keep throughout the course as a way to connect
with students and expand the relevance of course content and activities.
Why should I do it? To share timely information with students, provide
insights, connect students to professional resources, make what they’re
learning/doing in class even more relevant, and increase your teaching
presence.
How do I do it? Create a blog and have some planned posts to make. You can
link to a relevant news article or scholarly article, expand on an idea that was
in a student assignment or discussion board, or post when you’re at
conferences to highlight a session. Encourage students to reply/comment on
your blog posts, and make an announcement when a new blog post is up.
☐Timely and Quality Feedback
What is it? Feedback on activities and assessments provided in a suitable
time frame from when students complete the assignment.
Why should I do it? To guide students’ learning, and to provide them with
feedback in time for them to use that guidance on their next assignment.
How do I do it? For auto-graded quizzes and tests, consider including
feedback for both correct and incorrect answers. For other assignments,
provide feedback in the Feedback to Learner pane in Bb Learn, use the built-in
Crocodoc feature to highlight and add comments, download an MS Word doc
and use track changes, and/or create audio, webcam video, or screencast
feedback. Also, make an announcement to let students know they have
feedback and let them know how to access feedback for the first one or two
assignments, ideally by including a screenshot of the student view.
Final Week
☐Provide Closure via an Announcement or Course Item
What is it? A way to bring the course “full circle” with summary thoughts on
big takeaways, notes for outstanding items, reminders to complete any
feedback surveys, and closing thoughts from you.
Why should I do it? To provide students with a sense of closure for the
course.
How do I do it? Create a webcam or screencast with Kaltura or another
technology, or create an audio file or text post. Post as an announcement, or
add an item on the home page or in the last module, and let students know via
an announcement that you’ve added an important post.
Page | 4
Kent State Online – http://www.kent.edu/onlineteaching
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License. To view a copy of this
license, visit http://creative commons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
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