Highly Effective Practices for Teaching
Be available. Provide multiple ways for students to communicate with you and with each other.
Be present. Include your image in your account profile, add a short video clip to your course site, or even share an audio recording with students. Remote learning can be isolating; your visible presence and participation in discussions provides students with an assuring human element.
Create community. Foster student-to-student engagement. Discussion boards, student profile images, and video-based activities allow students to get to know one another and feel like they are part of the class.
Allow time. Preparing instructional materials for use online may require more time than similar tasks in a face-to-face classroom. Remote discussions also take more time to monitor and to grade. This is also true for students.
Start small and build on success. Begin with the teaching and digital tools you know and take on new tools as you gain confidence.
Practice. If you are planning any type of synchronous session (such as a video call) try to practice beforehand.
Be consistent. Labeling files and activities in the same way as they are listed on your Syllabus, as well as organizing your course in similar ways, will help students locate materials more quickly.
Be concise and be direct. For every course activity and assignment, clearly articulate your expectations about how students should be engaging and what they should be doing.
Think Like a Student. Thinking like a student as you review your communications and course materials may highlight areas in need of more attention or potential points of confusion.
Ask Questions. Don’t be afraid to ask students for what they need or what might confuse them. Also provide a way for students to pose questions.
Reach out. There is help available. Contact us at deiteam@umn.edu.