The Online InstructorThe Online InstructorRoles and Best PracticesRoles and Best Practices

Curriculum Services Associates

Role of the Instructor

What is the difference in the role of the instructor in online or web-enhanced instruction?

How does this role compare to the role of the traditional classroom teacher?

Traditional Role

Teacher CenteredLecturesDirects the instructionLeads the lessonsPrompts responsesPaces the class

Online Teaching Role

Student CenteredFacilitatesPlans the activities, but follows the flow of

conversationFosters collaborative learningMonitors, models, and prompts for student

participation

Characteristics of the Online Instructor

What are the instructor characteristics, skills, and behaviors that support positive outcomes in web-based or web-enhanced courses (i.e. best practices)?

Seven Principles of Good Practice

• Encourages Contact Between Students and Faculty

• Develops Reciprocity and Cooperation Among Students

• Encourages Active Learning• Gives Prompt Feedback• Emphasizes Time on Task• Communicates High Expectations• Respects Diverse Talents and Way of Learning

Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Implementing the Seven Principles Using Technology

Arthur W. Chickering and Stephen C. Ehrmann

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Encourages Contact Between Students and Faculty

• Student-faculty contact necessary for motivation and involvement

• Easily facilitated with asynchronous and synchronous communication technologies• Threaded discussions• Email• Web conferencing

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Develops Reciprocity and Cooperation Among Students

• Collaboration and socialization increases involvement in learning• Study groups• Cooperative learning• Group problem solving activities

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Encourages Active Learning

• Students learn when they communicate about what they are learning, write reflectively about it, and relate it to their own experiences• Communication tools• “Learn by Doing” Activities

• Simulations• Use of the Internet to gather information

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Gives Prompt Feedback

• Students need opportunities to perform and receive feedback• Communication technologies• Recording and analyzing performance• Electronic portfolios

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Emphasizes Time on Task

• Effective time management is critical• Technology increases time on task

• Learning fits busy schedules• Erases constraints of time and place• Reduces commuting time• Immediate access to resources• Certain technologies may document time on task

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Communicates High Expectations

• Setting high expectations become a self-fulfilling prophecy

• Technology can communicate high expectations and present powerful learning challenges• Evaluation criteria may be clearly articulated with

technology

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Respects Diverse Talents and Way of Learning

• Technologies help students learn in ways they find most effective• Visuals• Print• Virtual experiences• Analysis, synthesis, and evaluation• Collaboration• Group problem solving

Seven Principles of Good Practice

Advancing the Seven Principles

• Applications of technology that are reliable, accessible, and easy to learn• Low Threshold Applications

• Interactive• Problem oriented• Relevant to real-world issues• Evoke student motivation