This document summarizes an online teaching skills workshop that outlines best practices for online instruction. It discusses key differences between face-to-face and online teaching, such as the teacher guiding students' independent pursuit of knowledge online versus transmitting knowledge in-person. Important skills for online teachers are also outlined, including strong communication, organization, and the ability to engage students remotely. The document provides tips for facilitating online discussions, releasing content gradually, and maintaining a regular schedule of daily and weekly tasks to support students.

1. Excerpts from:
Online Teaching Skills Workshop
Mini Workshop Presentation for
Differentiated Instruction through Technology Course
Developed and Presented by:
Charlotte L. Dowd
First Presented, January, 2011

2. Mini Workshop Learning Goals
 Know what it takes to be a successful online teacher
 Gain best practice techniques in online facilitation
 Understand communication needs
 Understand shifts needed for ensuring successful online
teaching and learning engagements
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

3. Differences Between F2F and Online
Area
Impacted
Face-to-Face Online
Teacher Has and transmits knowledge Guides students in their own pursuit of
knowledge
Student Receives content passively Interacts with content, groups, and
media to learn autonomously and
collaboratively
Classroom Place for knowledge transmission Place for construction and exchange of
knowledge – interactively between
students and teacher
Time in Class Teacher in person, available for a set,
specified block of synchronous (real)
time
Teacher available at established
synchronous online sessions (using
remote collaboration tools), then
responds within a set number of hours
asynchronously (non-real-time) (ex;
response expected within a 24 hour
window for any student question via
email and typically within 12-24 hours
via a Discussion Board posting)
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

4. Area Impacted Face-to-Face Online
Experience Process of hierarchical
transmission from teacher to
student
Process of exchange between members
of the group which is integrated by the
teacher
Learning and
Studies
Obligatory, one-sided; “one size
fits all”
Student-centered, engaging, appealing
to multiple learning styles
Curriculum and
Learning Materials
Typically pre-established in a rigid
and restricted format
Flexible and open structure that can lead
to multiple learning paths selected by
the student
Technology Used only to call attention to a
certain theme or selection (like
video)
Becomes the learning environment of the
classroom and presents different types
of integrated simultaneous media for
communication, presentation,
exploration, learning, and assessment
Use of technology Used by the teacher who structures
his/her classes in advance to insert
specific element
Both teachers and students use
technology which is what makes it
possible to exchange knowledge and
ideas and build a collective, rich learning
experience together
Differences Between F2F and Online
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

5.  Trust and Credibility
 Patience
 Professional attitude
 Results-oriented
 Good communication skills
 Good analytical skills
 Student empathy and understanding
 Enthusiasm
 Effective class management
 Good rapport with students
 Organized
 Focused on student success
 Subject knowledge
 Practical application and expertise for
applying
 Respects student experience
 Coaching and mentoring skills
 Advisor or guide to learning new
material
 Trust and Credibility
 Patience
 Professional attitude
 Results-oriented
 Good communication skills
 Good analytical skills
 Student empathy and understanding
 Enthusiasm
 Effective class management
 Good rapport with students
 Organized
 Focused on student success
 Subject knowledge
 Practical application and expertise for
applying
 Respects student experience
 Coaching and mentoring skills
 Advisor or guide to learning new
material
For the face-to-face class… For the online class…
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

6. Online Environment or
LMS
Within the Online Course
Structure
 Ability to adapt to new
educational environment
 Ability to learn new methods of
teaching and assessment
 Basic skills in web site
navigation
 Writing for online
communications (emails,
bulletin posts, and feedback)
 Observation skills
 Understand how to get help
 Analytical skills
 Familiarity with the course
materials location and where
to find things
 Understanding of the order of
how things are presented and
when
 Adherence to online instructor
best practice guidelines
 Willingness to engage online
and interact with students
frequently
 Ability to Convey Enthusiasm
for student success remotely
 Understand how to encourage
student-driven learning
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

7.  Communication
 Patience
 Empathy for students
 Results-orientation
 Organization and
learning management
 Open mindedness
 Content and Pedagogy
 Ed Tech Industry
understanding
 Hands-on computer
skills
 Web knowledge
 Technical
Troubleshooting skills
 In-depth technical
tools knowledge
Most Important Important
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

8.  Create a friendly and inviting virtual environment to make students
feel welcomed and connected
◦ Welcome email
◦ Personal information (share your bio and photos)
◦ Weekly class bulletins – punctuate beginning of lesson and wrap-up
◦ Daily tips or reminders posted in course area to show presence
 Set up an Introduction Forum for students to get to know each other
- You start by posting your own introduction!
 State clear goals and objectives at the beginning of each module or
lesson – always post a syllabus for online courses.
 Give concise, clear directions to lead students through the learning
process
 Use a variety of learning activities to encourage engagement
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

9. Tips for Effective Online Discussion Facilitation
 Lead discussion forum posts – Check in multiple times daily
to provide timely answers to questions, new questions,
suggestions
 Point students to resources and where they can find the
answers; giving examples using links, pictures, diagrams,
etc. where it makes sense
 Provide behind-the-scenes support via email
 Keep the learning on track and discussions on topic – ask
probing, thought-provoking questions to get students
thinking and engaging; challenge them to go deeper
 Guide participants through the curriculum with coaching and
support as needed letting them know how are doing against
learning goals (assessments, feedback, progress reports,
etc.)
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

10.  Release content folders one at a time, week by week so
students won’t be overwhelmed (Monday to Monday method)
 Post new weekly bulletins to introduce the week’s topic
 Make sure the students and the curriculum are in sync –
notify support of any issues you find quickly
 Broken links
 Navigation sequence
 url’s not working
 Be present in the course every day
 Use subscriptions/mail forward, if possible
 Provide a course lounge area for student socializing
 Structured Q&A forums: One for tech issues and one for
course questions or suggestions
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

11. Sequence of Regular Tasks
Daily
 Login and check email messages
 Check course calendar for any scheduled activities
 Enter course forums review student posts
 Post replies where needed
 Send individual emails as needed for added support
 Review new student submissions as appropriate
 Check technical support Q&A forum and post replies or forward to
support
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop

12. Weekly
Online Teaching Skills Workshop
 Post new week’s welcome message or announcement –
 Review scheduled activities for the week
 Review student progress
 Check for any students who have been less active in course
activities and send them a message to see if you can help
Monitor response and call after certain point
 Monitor student discussion forums several times each week –
observation and interjection where feasible to support and
add value
 Check next week’s content release dates (access to lessons,
assignments, or quizzes)
©cdowd. 2011
Sequence of Regular Tasks

13. Ongoing
Assessment and Evaluations
 Student feedback options
 Lesson and course improvements
 Additional resources for students
 End of course evaluations
©cdowd. 2011
Online Teaching Skills Workshop
Sequence of Regular Tasks