Learn about successful online course facilitation. View some active examples of these practices for adult and student learners. San Antonio ISD

Office of Instructional Technology and Learning Services

Learning is social.

Learning is social…and online learning environments engage students first and foremost for that reason.

Online learning is different.

We must be careful to avoid trying to engage students in online learning environments with traditional, face to face techniques.

We have discovered that the outcome rarely matches expectation when old approaches are forced into the new arena of online learning.

Based on our own experiences as students and facilitators, we would like to share eight valuable tips with you…

Make everyone feel welcome; create a comfortable environment where everyone has a voice.

Make everyone feel welcome; create a comfortable environment where everyone has a voice.

Establish clear goals and expectations from the beginning. Create a structure that is reliable and predictable with embedded resources.

Establish clear goals and expectations from the beginning. Create a structure that is reliable and predictable with embedded resources.

Establish clear goals and expectations from the beginning. Create a structure that is reliable and predictable with embedded resources.

Participate in forums and group discussions so you are actively “in the loop” .

Participate in forums and group discussions so you are actively “in the loop” .

Online students can be very tentative or easily frustrated using the medium. Be sensitive and responsive.

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Online students can be very tentative or easily frustrated using the medium. Be sensitive and responsive.

Online students need response to questions within 24 hours (or sooner).

Virtual office hours are a good idea, too.

Online students need response to questions within 24 hours (or sooner).

Virtual office hours are a good idea, too.

Use group work and collaboration.

Most students prefer to learn with and from

each other, and they prefer active learning.

Use group work and collaboration.

Most students prefer to learn with and from

each other, and they prefer active learning.

Use group work and collaboration.

Most students prefer to learn with and from each other, and they prefer active learning.

Deliberately give options in product development & form.

Allow purposeful debate.

Support learning with multimedia.

Deliberately give options in product development & form.

Allow purposeful debate.

Support learning with multimedia.

Poll your students on their satisfaction and growth of knowledge.

Participate in your level of professional societies.

Poll your students on their satisfaction and growth of knowledge.

Participate in your level of professional societies.

1. Use Social And Emotional Aspects2. Provide Structure & Reliability3. Prevent Stagnancy & Dropout4. Be Ready for Technophobia5. Be available6. Peer Interaction is Essential7. Understand Diversity in Learning8. Emerge, Change, And Grow

What We’ve Learned Is…

Suggested Further Exploration

Moodle Mayhem Users Group. “8 Tips For Successful Online

Facilitation”. http://sites.google.com/site/moodlemayhem/8-tips-for-successful-online-course-facilitation

Middle School Technology

Applications Online. SAISD.http://intouch.saisd.net/mstateks/

Exploring Possibilities for Moodle and Adult Learners. SAISD. http://moodlepossibilities.pbworks.com/

About Us

San Antonio ISD Instructional Technologyhttp://itls.saisd.net/

Guhlin, Miguel. Director of Instructional Technology. mguhlin@saisd.net

Mills, Tonya. Coordinator. tmills@saisd.net

Valdez, Molly. Virtual Learning Coordinator. mvaldez2@saisd.net