3 Tips - Ann Hagen

Students must fully understand course requirements and be prepared to succeed. I feel that it is important that learners know that a distance course is not necessarily easier than a classroom based course. In fact, they should be made aware that it may be even more work. It is important that an instructor make sure that the students are aware of what is expected of them in the course.

Close personal interaction must be maintained. Because social interaction is more of a challenge in online courses, it is important that the instructor give ample opportunities for learners to interact with one another, as well as providing a structure for that interaction. A variety of communication methods should be used including chat, discussion boards, e-mail, voice chat, etc. in order to meet the needs of all types of learners. It is important for learners to feel connected to one another in order to be successful.

Course design should be shaped to the potentials of the medium. It is important that instructors know that not all classroom-based instructional material is suitable for distance education. Instructors should be given extra time to build courses that will work online, in order to make the online learning experience more effective.