Developing Effective Online CoursesLuis A. Lopez

St. Philip’s College

San Antonio, Texas

St. Philip’s College

• St. Philip’s College is a 115 year-old public comprehensive, multi-campus institution –San Antonio

• Enrollment: 10,000+ students • More than 3,800 students enrolled in online classes

with more than 5,400 online enrollments• College offers more than 225 online classes• More than 180 faculty certified to teach online• Standard LMS is Instructure Canvas

My Background

• More than 25 years as faculty member in CIS/IT/Web Developer program

• Have taught online classes since late 1990’s• More than 14 years training and mentoring faculty

to teach online• Since 2007, serve as Director of Instructional and

Professional Development– Responsible for training faculty to teach online

• Author of New Perspectives on Adobe Flash Professional series

Key Course Elements

• Course structure• First week activities• Orientation to course• Effective content• Effective assessments• Active and collaborative learning activities• Effective and innovative use of technology

Course Structure

• Home page– Welcome message– Course overview– Course requirements– Contact information

• Modular structure• Easy to follow

QM 1 –Course Overview and Introduction

First Week Activities

• Icebreaker discussion

• Introduce yourself to the class

• Course orientation

Course Orientation

• Technical requirements– Canvas (LMS) tools– Browser requirements– Course software

• Syllabus– Clear expectations– Course Objectives

• Specific instructions on class activities– Assignments– Quizzes/Tests– Discussions

QM 1 –Course Overview and Introduction

QM 2 – Learning Objectives

Effective Content

• Each module clearly states learning objectives

• Tasks and student expectations are clearly stated

• Varied content– Course notes– Web resources– Videos

QM 4 – Instructional Materials

QM 2 – Learning Objectives

Effective Assessments

• Multiple types of assessments– Quizzes– Discussions– Research reports– Assignments– Software-specific projects

• Self-assessments throughout the course

• Rubrics• Canvas SpeedGrader

QM 3 – Assessment and Measurement

Active and Collaborative Learning Activities

• Community of Learners– Student to faculty communications– Student to student communications

• Discussions• Group activities • Regular and frequent instructor feedback

QM 5 – Learner Interaction and Engagement

Effective and Innovative use of Technology

• Learning Management System– Canvas

• Course software– Adobe Flash

• Videos– YouTube– Instructor videos

• SoftChalk lessons

QM 6 – Course Technology

Lessons Learned

• Clear, concise, easy-to-follow instructions help students succeed

• Quality orientation ensures a good beginning• Student engagement is critical• Teaching online classes is time-intensive• Developing effective online content,

assignments, assessments takes more time and effort

Lessons Learned

• What lessons have you learned in teaching online courses?

Challenges

• What challenges have you faced in teaching online courses?

Resources/Links

• Instructional Innovation Center– http://www.alamo.edu/spc/iic/

• Instructure Canvas– http://www.instructure.com/

• Quality Matters– http://www.qmprogram.org/

• RubiStar – Rubrics– http://rubistar.4teachers.org/

• The Online Teaching Survival Guide: Simple and Practical Pedagogical Tips by Judith V. Boettcher & Rita-Marie Conrad

Contact Information

• Luis A. Lopez, Dir. of Instructional &Professional Development– llopez@alamo.edu