Tips for Thriving in the Online Classroom

Madison, Wis.—Jan. 18 — Instructors new to online teaching usually feel overwhelmed, says Larry Ragan, director of instructional design and development for Penn State's World Campus. It’s easy to see why: inefficient approaches to course design and teaching can make the workload seem crushing.

However, with the right strategies, teaching online can be more efficient than teaching face to face, Ragan said during the January 18 online seminar “Managing to Thrive in the Online Classroom: Simplifying the Complex.”

During the seminar, Ragan shared several strategies for managing the online teaching workload. For instance, Ragan recommended that instructors ask students to point out exactly where classroom instructions are unclear. Instructors can collect these comments, see where patterns emerge, and use the information to make instructions more efficient. Ragan said that in his own courses, students often asked questions about his grading rubric. Based on that information, he clarified his rubric, and “the questions virtually went away,” giving him more time to spend on content.

“When we can take out the noise – the questions when the midterms are and when the grades go out – it really does go a long way,” he said.

During the workshop, participants also shared their own strategies for managing their online course workload. If you missed the January 18 seminar and would like to order a transcript or CD of the event, visit www.magnapubs.com/catalog/cds/599444-1.html.

For more information, please contact David Burns, publisher, Magna Publications, Inc., at 608-227-8109 or dburns@magnapubs.com.