The Benefits & Challenges of
Teaching Online
A Presentation for Western Illinois
University
About Kevin E. Johnson, M.Ed.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this
very important time in WIU history. I bring
enthusiasm, a passion for learning, vast
experience with technology in higher education,
and the ability to explain it all in plain English! As
Coordinator of Instructor Support for the
University of Illinois Global Campus, I am engaged
in supporting faculty as well as designing,
redesigning, and teaching "online" courses. My
professional growth has evolved from my first
computer programming experience on a
Commodore 64 computer at the age of 14
through many years of programming and
curriculum design experience in both academic
and corporate settings. In every position, my
interest has been in cutting edge technologies
and their practical applications to help
organizations and professionals move forward
with confidence.
Contact Kevin
University of Illinois Global Campus
510 Devonshire Drive, Suite H
Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: (217) 265-8177
Fax: (217) 333-5581
kejohns@uillinois.edu
http://global.uillinois.edu
Supplemental Documents
The following documents are on this DVD
in a folder title Documents and can be
retrieved by exploring the disc using your
operating system’s file explorer.
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. QOCI Checklist
3. QOCI Rubric (Complete)
4. Resource Document (Free to Close to
Free Technologies)
Agenda
• Introductions
• Delivery Method Spectrum
–
–
–
–
Onground
Blended
Hybrid
Online
• Transitioning
– Purposes for Transitioning
– Strategies
– Activities
• Institutional / Department Decisions & Considerations
• Resources
Introductions
• Why
– Why are you here today?
• What Are Your Concerns?
– What concerns do you have about transitioning to
online.
Delivery Method Spectrum
Onground
Blended
Hybrid
Online
• What differentiates these from one another is
the amount of time spent in a classroom
versus online.
Delivery Method Spectrum: Onground
Onground
Blended
Hybrid
Online
• Courses in which all learning activities are
implemented in a face-to-face classroom
setting.
Delivery Method Spectrum: Blended
Onground
Blended
Hybrid
Online
• Courses in which a significant amount of the
activities are implemented in a face-to-face
classroom setting.
• Some materials available online
• No online instruction time is substituted for
f2f time.
Delivery Method Spectrum: Hybrid
Onground
Blended
Hybrid
Online
• “Courses in which a significant amount of the
learning activities have been moved online,
and time traditionally spent in the classroom
is reduced but not eliminated” (Garnham &
Kaleta, 2002)
Delivery Method Spectrum: Online
Onground
Blended
Hybrid
Online
• Courses in which all learning activities have
been moved online.
Purpose for Transitioning
• Help Instructors
– Move curriculum over and develop full courses in a timely
manner
– Learn new technologies with less frustration
• Help Students
– Prepare students by providing f2f orientation to new
environment
– Provide opportunity for f2f technical support when
needed.
– Promote Independent Learning
Strategies for Transitioning
• Start Slow:
– Move lecture notes, and other existing documents over to
online classroom
– Introduce students to online environment in a f2f lab
where you are present
– Provide resources on posting and other online classroom
netiquette.
– Add Ice Breaker Activities such as Scavenger Hunts, Bio
Assignment, etc. to help students become familiar with
posting, etc.
Strategies for Transitioning Cont.
• Moving Forward:
– Eliminate one class meeting per week
– Shorten Class time
– Assign collaboration assignments with other
course sections
– Require online peer feedback and revisions before
turning in assignments
– Encourage more digital communication using Email, Discussion Forums, Chat, etc.
Activities for Transitioning
• Online Activities:
– Case Studies
– Tutorials
– Self-testing
– Simulations
– Article Reviews
– Current Events
– Peer Feedback
Interaction Activity Ideas
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ice Breakers
Social Forums
Question Forums
Discussion Questions
Article Critiques
Group Problem Solving
Group Reports
Responding to Hypothetical Situations
Peer Editing
List of Resources
Institutional / Department Decisions &
Considerations
• Course Request Process
• Technical Support & Training
– Who, When, How
• Pedagogical Support & Education
– Who, When How
• Course Environment Standards
– Navigation, Color Scheme, Required Documents, etc.
• Quality Standards
– Course Review for quality in the areas of content, course design,
and instruction.
Institutional / Department Suggestions
• Templates
– Syllabus
– Activity / Assignment
– Course Design / Structure
• Additional Suggestions
– Orientation Online Course
– Departmental Activity Repository
Resources for Transitioning
• Illinois Online Network
– http://www.ion.uillinois.edu
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee:
– http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/LTC/hybrid/Tutorials
• University of Central Florida
– http://distrib.ucf.edu/dlucf/home.html
• Templates
– http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/institutes/fsi/2005/presentations/
23/menu.htm
Q&A
Thank You!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!