Developing and Teaching Online/Distance Learning Courses
Ease on Down the River: Best Practices for Teaching Developmental Reading in the Virtual Classroom
1. Best Practices for Teaching Developmental Reading in the
Virtual Classroom
Leslie A. Salley, Baker College Online
2. Developmental students do not have the skills
(reading, writing, computer, etc.) to complete an
online course.
Developmental students need more one-on-one
attention and regular feedback than an online
course can provide.
Developmental students cannot have online
discussions.
Developmental students lose out on the social
aspect of the classroom.
3. What are some other reasons developmental
students cannot do the work online?
4. The US Department of Education’s recent report states that online
education is just as effective a learning platform as face-to-face
learning.
http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-
practices/finalreport.pdf
http://www.league.org/blog/post.cfm/teaching-developmental-
reading-with-hybrid-instruction
http://www.league.org/league/projects/beo/
6. Six-week class
Small class size
Required level of participation
Assignments and grading
Department-developed “master” course
7. Lab component
Pretest
Skills Exercises
Posttest
Short text
Critical thinking practice
Reading/learning strategy quizzes
Chunked essay project
8. Frequent announcements
Clear, explicit instructions
Reminders
Multiples points of contact
Q & A forum
Email
Phone
Facebook
Skype/Yahoo Messenger
Discussion boards
Seminars
Tutorials/videos
Learning resources/tutoring
9. What kinds of online developmental programs
or courses are you offering at your institution?
How successful are they?
If you do not teach online, what is stopping
you?
10. Leslie A. Salley, M.A.
Online Instructor & eLearning Specialist
English, Reading, Sociology, & Teacher Education
leslie.salley@yahoo.com
417-766-6691
www.linkedin.com/in/lesliesalley
