Teaching class while off campus can be a daunting task.  Combining face to face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities may be a solution.  This  approach capitalizes on the best aspects of both face to face and online instruction. Classroom time can be used to engage students in experiences; while online assignments can provide students with multimedia-rich content and discoveries that reinforce materials learned in the classroom.

Ideas

The list below contains ideas to use while traveling.  For more ideas contact Cheri Crabb or Ben McFadyen, with TLT, at 278-5006.

1. Note where students can get technical support while you are away
2. Develop rubrics for assignments & include in the syllabus along with stellar student examples
3. Create a calendar of work to keep students on track
4. Use portfolios as a mode of evaluation; the student is assessed by a progressive series of work
5. Use web conferencing software to record a lecture or hold class synchronously
6. Add your lecture notes to the bottom of the PowerPoint slides
7. Include Podcasts lectures
8. Integrate audio into the PowerPoint slides
9. Videotape a lecture given in a face to face classroom & upload
10. Add links to related resources in your PowerPoint
11. Create a notebook of lecture notes & have the students download & read it
12. Introduce online assignments with a video from you
13. Begin each unit with a video, joke, or comic & tie it into the lesson(s)
14. Hold online office hours via email, IM, Skype or other
15. Use announcements/email for course modifications & discussion board summaries
16. Consolidate reference materials in one location (i.e. e-reserves)
17. Incorporate reflection/opinion papers weekly to tie points together
18. Keep your posts to approximately 30% or less of the total discussion or the students will begin posting to you instead of the class
19. Set rules & standards for good netiquette
20. Require students to provide substantial posts backed up with class information, readings & resources
21. Alternate postings by assigning students to respond every other week; or summarize discussion points
22. Set up a discussion board where students can post the murkiest point; monitor & respond daily
23. Incorporate external websites links to maintain current & contemporary discussions
24. Create mind maps that show connections & relationships with material, or use them as summaries
25. Assign groups a different course topic to explore; post in the main discussion area for review & comment
26. Assign discussion groups to create a product & post, such as:  a quiz for the class, write a response to an author, compose a critique of a reading, brainstorm a topic, create a journal article review, compare & contrast an issue
27. Reinforce procedures or processes by asking students to relate it to daily life, or respond to a case study

Recommended readings

Understanding by Design, Expanded 2^nd Edition, 2005, Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe

Building Online Learning Communities, 2007, Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt

Effective Online Teaching – Foundations and Strategies for Student Success, 2011, Tina Stavredes

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