Building Online Presence Into Your Course

Types of Online Interactions

Establishing and maintaining regular effective interaction is an important aspect of delivering online and hybrid courses. It is a practice that encourages and facilitates student-centered instruction and increases student learning outcomes. The following are some examples of interactions you can design into your course prior to the start of the term, as well as some practices you can implement while the term is in session.

Before The Course Begins

  • Welcome Message - Create a welcoming introduction to the course and to yourself by emailing or posting a message to the class before the start date.
  • Syllabus - Develop a detailed road map for the course. Clearly explain major assessments and deadlines.
  • Set Expectations - Model course etiquette at the beginning of the semester with instructor-guided introductions. Also outline and explain etiquette expectations in initial course documents.
  • Ask a Question Forum - Create a specific forum for questions regarding course assignments and procedures.
  • Course Homepage - If using a custom homepage, be sure it is welcoming and provides easy navigation to get started.
  • Phone/voicemail - Post contact information in your syllabus and indicate your preferences and availability.
  • Online Office Hours - Use Skype, Canvas Conferences, or Google Hangouts to set up a virtual meeting room for your students. Post the hours in your syllabus.
  • Collaborative projects: Design assignments and projects that promote collaboration among students.
  • Academic Lectures: Pre-record some of your important lectures or presentations.
  • Podcasts/webinars/screencasts - Use these more informal tools to supplement your lecture material, or to explain how to complete individual skills or tasks.

While The Course is in Session

  • Course announcements - Send out weekly announcements that summarize content or student progress.
  • Personalized feedback - Use Canvas's SpeedGrader Links to an external site. or email to leave student specific feedback on submissions.
  • Discussion boards - Reply to student posts. Your reply also acts as a model reply for other students. Pose questions in the discussion boards which encourage various types of interaction and critical thinking skills among all course participants.
  • Canvas Conferences - Use Canvas Conferences Links to an external site. to hold synchronous meetings with your class.
  • Messaging - Use Canvas to check in on students throughout the course and reply to their questions.
  • Course Feedback - Ask students for feedback about the course on a regular basis and revise content as needed. Don't just wait for the course evaluations at the end of the term.

 

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