Tip One: Navigation

When creating an online course, keep the student in mind. Your course might be their first online course, so be sure to make the navigation very clear. Begin with a “Start Here” button or section that is clearly visible as soon as the course is opened. Within “Start Here” explain how you organize your course. This could mean: an explanation of due dates, where to find readings, where to go to for help with technical problems, how to get in touch with you. Also, be sure to choose a system where students know that every Sunday, for example, something is due or that you choose to release information every Monday or the first of every month. Keep the organization simple and stick to it.

Tip Two: Building Community

Building a community is essential for learners to stay engaged and actually learn. But, how do instructors build a community when students are not online at the same time? Introduce yourself to your students with a short video. Let them learn something about you. Sharing just a few things about your interests will begin building a connection. Let the students also post a short video to share with the class. When students post to a discussion, respond to their posts. This is not something that needs to be done for every student and every discussion, but it should be done throughout the course to as many students as possible. Let them know you are connected to their learning and care about their progress. If you teach a very large class, break the students into small groups. This way, you can reach out to the group and students get to know a few members of the class. They can work on one project together and respond to each other in discussion boards.

Tip Three: Consistency

It should come as no surprise that students need consistency in every modality. They should be able to predict when assignments are due, especially in an asynchronous course. If you typically ask students to submit assignments on Sunday, stick to that day of the week for the entire semester. This routine does not mean you can’t also include an additional assignment that is due on a different day but give students a warning that an assignment will be due on Tuesday in two weeks. Don’t just tell them once, continue to remind them. Students must create their own routine for attending class, reading chapters, and working on assignments. If you are consistent with your due dates, it will help them create their own routine around that consistency. Also, the units or modules for your online class should demonstrate a consistent pattern. Begin the unit or week with an overview of what is to come, provide readings and lectures followed by discussions and assignments. You can end the unit with a reflection and a look at what’s next. Use this same format each week so students can predict what is expected of them; they don’t want or need surprises.

Tip Four: Be Visible

Once you have an amazing design for your course, one that is easy to navigate and filled with engaging assignments, require yourself to be visible. Create weekly check-in videos or unit wrap-up videos. Students need to see your face and personality. You want them to feel comfortable reaching out to ask a question, and the more they see you and your personality, the easier it is to ask for help. If a weekly video (other than a lecture video) is too much for you to add to your list of to-do items, then schedule emails to go out to students. Make a point to be in contact with your students to let them know you are available. Another way to be visible is to respond to the discussion forums you create in your course. You don’t need to respond to each student, but you could summarize what students were discussing. You can even choose a few good quotes to share with the entire group. It can be easy to forget that visibility is important to creating community and building trust. Make it a point to reach out each week; your students will see that you care and respond in kind.

Tip Five: Humanize from the Start

Students are often anxious at the beginning of any course whether it is online or in person. However, when teaching online, without the ease of face-to-face connection, it is imperative to send a message to students explaining that you are there to partner with them in their journey of learning and discovering. One to two weeks before the course begins, send students a message that shares how they will be successful in your class. Let them know your passion for the topic and all they will learn during the course. Again, reiterate that you are with them on their journey and look forward to getting to know each student. And, if your class is too large to make individual connections, you can still relay the message that you are there to help them with all of their needs and you look forward to learning along side each student.