Basics of Teaching Online Resource Page

R E S O U R C E C O L L E C T I O N

Basics of Teaching Online

Explore essential strategies for effective online teaching in this comprehensive resource that introduces the basics to digital education.

RESOURCE TYPE: SELF-GUIDED

DURATION: ~2.5 hours (5 self-paced modules, approximately 20-30 minutes each)

FOCUS AREA:

Who is this page for?

This resource is meant to empower educators with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively teach and engage students in the online learning environment.

Here, you will find a wealth of resources, including videos, articles, and other content, focused on:

Welcoming students in the virtual classroom
Strategies for breakout rooms and group discussions
Setting norms and best practices
Building a community among learners

Learning Objectives

Define and apply the fundamental best practices required for successful course delivery in the digital learning environment.
Employ a variety of motivational techniques to foster community, enhance student interaction, and sustain active participation across online courses.
Design and facilitate effective live virtual sessions by appropriately utilizing collaborative tools and implementing high-impact strategies for opening, managing, and closing class time.

Foundational Context

Start here to gain essential knowledge about teaching online. The resources below provide practical strategies for effective online instruction and student engagement.

Introduction to Teaching Online is an introductory self-guided short course that will take approximately 150 min. to complete. In this course, educators will explore the practical strategies and tools needed to create a dynamic and supportive online classroom. The IMPACTS principles this course is associated with are Integrate, Advocate, and Self-Evaluate.

Practice and Apply

The self-paced interactive practice and application activities below are designed to help you to engage more deeply with student engagement content. Click on the activity card to launch in a new window.

[Apply]Student Engagement Strategies for the Start & End of a Live Session

These engagement cards provide quick-reference strategies for maximizing your students' knowledge retention and focus by applying practical activities to the first and last minutes of class.

[Apply]Pre-Class Preparation Tips

Thoughtful preparation is the foundation for a smooth and low-stress live session. Use this pre-class preparation checklist to help you get ready! This was adapted from the recorded seminar "Teaching Online: Setting Norms and Classroom Best Practices." You can watch a recording of the seminar here.

[Apply]Student Engagement Icebreakers for Live Sessions

These icebreakers provide simple, high-impact ways to spark connection and prepare students’ minds for meaningful learning at the start of class.

Access/Download Text Version here.

Practical Strategies to Enhance Student Motivation in the Online Classroom Quick Guide

[Apply]Practical Strategies to Enhance Student Motivation in the Online Classroom Quick Guide

This quick guide presents practical, research-informed strategies to enhance student motivation in online courses.

Additional Resources

Read and review the resources below for additional information on how to apply student engagement strategies in your online course.

Entry Tickets: Engaging Your Students from the StartAn entry ticket is a practical and engaging tool for grabbing students’ attention right at the start of your live session. Entry tickets hel...

Exit Tickets: Leave on a Metacognitively-high NoteAn exit ticket is a strategy for effectively and efficiently wrapping up the day’s lesson. They can be a review of the lesson material, comp...

Creating Community in the Classroom: Introducing Our New Core Seminar Core seminars are a series of five different seminars recommended to help faculty get started with the basics for teaching online using 2U...

Intro to Creating a More Equitably Engaged ClassroomWhat are you doing to make your classroom a more equitably engaging space for your students? A recently published Data Short from Google lo...

5 Important Details to Include in Your Next Welcome MessageWelcome messages are not only a great way to introduce yourself to your students, but also present practical opportunities to clarify class ...