The document summarizes key points from Scott Warnock's book on teaching writing online. It discusses Warnock's background and experience developing an online writing program. The main themes are placing pedagogy before technology, developing an online teaching persona, the benefits of hybrid courses for freshmen, and the importance of communication styles when teaching online. Warnock recommends using preexisting course management tools and avoiding overcomplicating the online environment technologically.
2. The Author, Scott Warnock
PhD from Temple University
Director of the Freshman Writing Program
at Drexel University
Hired in 2004 to create an online writing
program.
3. In the introduction,
Warnock quotes
Nietzsche: “If you
have your why for
life, then you can
get along with
almost any how.”
This quote refers to
the subtitle for the
book because the
author often
repeats that the
“why” of your
teaching should
proceed the
“how” of your
teaching.
4. For me, this
means placing
pedagogy
before
technology.
Warnock notes,
“find points were
pedagogy and
Discussion Boards are a good
technology example of how technology
meet and serves the writing teacher at
the intersection of student
develop tasks centered learning and
that facilitate technology.
such a union.”
5. Chapter 1: Developing Your Online
Personality
Warnock says that much like
your f2f persona, you also
develop an online teaching
persona. He encourages all
new online teachers to think
about what “type” of
teacher they would like to be
online.
Some personas to avoid:
unapproachable sage,
apathetic drone, chum, fool,
harsh critic.
6. Have an icebreaker
Much like we did in this class, Warnock encourages the online
writing teacher to welcome the students to class and have
them introduce themselves.
He includes his sample welcome to the students, so the reader
can see his teaching persona and what topics he is asking the
student to refer to when introducing themselves.
In the text, Warnock is having students submit their
introductions in discussion boards on a CMS (course
management system) such as Blackboard.
7. Chapter 2:Online or Hybrid?
The author is a fan of HYBRID courses, especially for
teachers new to online teaching. He argues that the
move to online teaching is best done gradually.
Also, Warnock notes that freshman are also better
served by a hybrid class as an introduction to a fully
online class. He made this decision after comparing
the 8% drop rate of his onsite class to the 44% drop
rate for his online freshman composition class.
8. The Importance of Communication
Teaching online requires
a rethinking of your
communication style.
If you are a teacher with
a big personality, some
of your affect maybe
lost in an online class.
If you are a teacher
who pulls students aside
for added help, this type
of communication
requires more foresight
in a online environment.
9. Chapter 3: Tech Tools & Strategies:
Use Only What You Need
Warnock says, “Don’t be any more
complicated technologically than you
have to be. The foundation of your class,
even in the most high tech environment, is
still your own personal teaching ability
and imagination.”
Some relief from
the high tech for
newbies like me!
10. Avoid technology overload
Warnock recommends
what could be
paraphrased as “Keep
it simple, Stupid.” He
tells the new online
teacher to use the
predesigned tools,
such as Blackboard as
much as possible and
adapt the
management system
to the course
outcomes.
