Tips for Online Instruction

Tony Barrile is president of Barrile & Associates and Pinnacle Performance Strategies in Burke, Virginia. Here are his tips on what it takes to teach a successful live class online.

1. Have a clear objective.

2. Carefully plan and prepare the audiovisuals to achieve the learning objective.

3. Build in interactivity to keep the participants interested and periodically test their comprehension level.

4. Encourage hands-on practice. Wherever possible incorporate a lab exercise to consolidate learning.
5. Keep students focused. Use graphics and colors to highlight key phrases.

6. Create a non-threatening environment. Create an atmosphere in which questions and participation are welcome. At the same time, establish your expertise and authority to lead the learning session.

7. Practice, practice, practice to build your confidence in teaching online sessions.

8. Be upbeat. Develop a conversational tone and be enthusiastic.

9. Be organized. You can't show up and wing it. You must have materials and a game plan ready to ensure the flow. Put pencil marks on the hard copy for how you will present the slides. Practice moving the mouse around on the instructor interface.
10. Check in with learners. Are they following the material or have they fallen behind?

11. Be receptive to criticism. Don't let your ego get in the way.

Fuente: http://www.learningcircuits.com/2001/aug2001/frankola.html