A Whole New World: Ten Lessons for Moving Courses Online

https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2024.21.3.3

Abstract

In this essay I concentrate on a distinct aspect of teaching courses online postpandemic: concrete steps both to ease workload burden and to increase student learning efficacy. There are ten lessons that can facilitate moving instruction online:

• Organize the Course in Weekly Modules
• Communicate on a Regular Schedule
• Post Key Lectures
• Implement Discussions
• Provide Frequent Feedback
• Solicit Student Feedback
• Reconsider Deadlines
• Use Online Assessments
• Experiment and Learn from Others
• Proactively Seek Administrative Support

I applied these lessons to a specific course: Public Speaking. Traditionally based on face-to-face presentations, the ability to move this course online bodes well for adapting all instruction to the requirements of online learning.

Keywords: online education, asynchronous learning