The document provides tips for creating an inviting online learning space by discussing how to create a pleasant atmosphere, welcome learners, help learners connect, provide a variety of activities, and present content creatively using techniques such as course banners, menus, photo rosters, blogs, wikis, and web 2.0 tools. The document also includes references and contact information for additional resources.

1. Creating an Inviting
Learning Space
Connie Weber, Senior Manager
Blackboard Consulting
cweber@blackboard.com

2. Connie Weber
• Senior Manager, Blackboard Training (7 years)
Education:
• Florida State University, B.A. English, Psychology
• University of Kentucky, M.A. English
Blackboard Experience:
• Distance Learning Coordinator – Guilford Technical Community
College (Greensboro, NC) – 5 years
• Associate Professor of English – Introduction to Literature,
Professional Writing, Expository Writing, Argument-based Research
• Online Course Developer – North Carolina Community College System

3. Great Online Course= Great Dinner Party

4. 1. Create a Pleasant Atmosphere

5. 2. Create Your Guests Warmly

6. 3. Connect Your Guest to Each Other

7. 4. Prepare a Variety of Food

8. 5. Present the Food in Creative Ways

9. 1. How do you Create a Pleasant
Atmosphere Online?

10. Course Banner
http://Cooltext.com
•Creative Text Only
•Very Quick and low tech
•Upload as Banner

11. Course Menu
• Use Dividers to Arrange
Menu
• Group Menu Items by
Type
• Put Most Frequently
Accessed on Top

12. Consistent Navigation

13. 2. Make Your Learners Feel Welcome
“In the host role, online instructors draw
students into the experience of online learning
and respond to student needs and concerns
with a patient, welcoming, attentive attitude.”
Reference: “Five Roles I Play in Online Courses,”
Scot Headley

14. 2. Make Your Learners Feel Welcome
What are some ways to make students feel
welcome to a course?
1.
2.
3.

15. Welcome Letter

16. Getting Started Information
• Orientation Activity (Lesson Zero)
• Course Communication Strategy (or How This
Course Works)
• Help and Instructor Information

17. 3. Help the Learners Connect

18. Photo Rosters

19. Welcome Discussion
Using your name as an acronym, describe
yourself as a learner. For example: CONNIE
C - creative
O - open
N – not likely to give up
N – nearly always on time
I - independent
E - engaged
19

20. Student Blog

21. 4. Provide a Variety of Learning
Activities

22. Wikis

23. Active Learning

24. 5. Present the Content in Creative
Ways

25. Web 2.0 Tools

26. Prezi

27. Atmosphere
Presentation Welcome
Variety Connection

28. Resources
How Many Discussion Posts Each Week, A Simply Delicious Answer
• http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/how-many-
faculty-discussion-posts-each-week-a-simply-delicious-answer/
Cheryl Hayek, Grantham University, Online Education, January
18, 2012
Five Roles I play in Online Classes
http://www.sevenstaracademy.org/downloads/Resources/Five%20role
s.pdf
Scot Headley, Innovate: Journal of Online Education, v2 n1 Oct-Nov
2005

29. Contact Us
@BbMilitaryGovt
E-mail: ProEdInfo@blackboard.com
Web: blackboard.com/gov