Understanding the Online Environment

Online education consists of the same underlying components as on-campus ones: instructor-guided learning, independent readings and homework, and assessments. However, in online courses, the time you would have otherwise spent in the brick-and-mortar classroom is replaced by:

• Synchronous live sessions hosted at a scheduled time in a videoconferencing tool like Zoom,

• Asynchronous coursework delivered via a learning management system that students complete on their own time, or

• A combination of the two.

In our experience supporting the development of thousands of online courses, a few lessons stand out:

1. Blend asynchronous and synchronous coursework. A hybrid model that blends asynchronous coursework with live sessions provides learners with a high degree of autonomy and flexibility, which in turn boosts motivation and engagement. Live sessions can be the easiest way to get your classes online in a hurry, but long live sessions can be draining, and with some extra time to plan and create, it is well worth delivering some of your course via asynchronous content and activities. Given complicated schedules and lives, online students may find it difficult to show up to a live session at a regularly scheduled time, or they may have issues with technology or internet access that make self-paced coursework more accessible. At 2U, we've found replacing your standard residential class time with a 50/50 balance of asynchronous and synchronous coursework is an effective formula for most courses, though you may need to strike a different balance depending on your course meeting schedule. For instance, if your course meets three times a week for fifty minutes at a time, you might host two 50-minute weekly meetings, develop 50 minutes of asynchronous content for students to complete on their own time, plus a regular load of homework and readings each week. By delivering some content asynchronously, you can shorten live sessions to ensure that every minute is worthwhile and interactive, helping students stay engaged from start to finish.

2. Design asynchronous coursework intentionally and accessibly. Learning at home on the computer comes with a very different level of accountability and attention span than learning in the classroom. When learning independently, it can be easy for students to get distracted or confused. As such, it’s important to create asynchronous coursework that is designed for the online experience and not just an exact replica of your in-person classroom. Maintain learner attention by making sure all content and activities have a clear purpose and align to your learning objectives. Segment content into meaningful chunks to give students a chance to take a break or just pause and process. And remember that asynchronous coursework is more than just passive instruction: it can and should include interactive activities, practice, and opportunities for feedback.

3. Build connection; offer extra support. In online courses, students learn independently and individually, which can quickly lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of support. As such, it is critical to make extra effort to help students feel connected to both you—the instructor—and their peers. Communication is key. Reach out early and often to set clear expectations and norms, send reminders, and even just to check in. Consider recording short, informal videos to let students see your face and hear your voice. And build in opportunities for students to interact and get to know each other either asynchronously or in live session.

4. This is an opportunity to experiment. At 2U, a common refrain among faculty is how the challenge of boiling their course down to its essentials and rebuilding it online introduced them to ideas they never would have tried before. Stay connected with fellow faculty members on the same journey you’re on right now; swap tips and ideas. We can’t wait to hear what you discover.

Click here for a shareable resource on considerations for different types of instruction.