Lindy Lenk

F2F classes cannot simply be switched over to online classes. Important changes need to take place in order to maintain clarity of materials, continuity, and engagement with students. Courses must also be consistently evaluated and updated for what is working and what is not working. Creating a sense of caring—a personal touch to teaching —is important and can begin with a warm welcome letter and end with a class wrap up. Lecturing does lend well to an online teaching/learning environment. It is also best to stick to one or two main concepts (creating modules can help with this.)

I learned to... first: be clear about which teacher/student role I will use in order to be most effective in teaching my specific class; second: be very clear in all communications because there is a lack of ability to read body language online; third: be clear in the syllabus about engagement expectations—keep students engaged... this is the key to success, especially when teaching an online class.

Whether you teach the synchronous method or the more popular asynchronous method—teaching patterns, class organization, student accountability, and repeating course delivery in the same or similar fashion is key to the success of the students' learning.

I learned that, while there are many technologically sound tools available for online teaching, it's best to evaluate each tool and use only the tools that best fit the specific needs of the class I am teaching, as well as those that best align with my teaching style.

I learned that, while there are many technologically sound tools available for online teaching, it's best to evaluate each tool and use only the tools that best fit the specific needs of the class I am teaching, as well as those that best align with my teaching style.