86% of higher education institutions hadn’t yet announced their fall plans, while 68% of four year schools still planned for in-person classes. As many schools return to in-person learning, it is becoming more important to be able to offer a course online for specific classes or individual students.
You can be prepared to present your Mathematics, Statistics or Physics course via WebAssign.
These are nine strategies taken from the 2020 Summer of Learning Webinar Series. They will help you get started quickly, address student needs, and increase your course resources to meet the challenges of teaching online.
1. For online delivery, create your assignments
You need to communicate with your students, provide resources, and convert all assignments to online format when you make the transition to online learning. This is made easier by pre-built assignments, customizable resource and student analytics all in one place with WebAssign. Online assessments are still available if you host an in-person class.
Learn How to Get Started with WebAssign, Presented By Dale Dawes (CUNY – Borough of Manhattan Community College).
2. For online delivery, organize your course
Moving your current assignments from a traditional to an online format will help you check the box for “homework” on your syllabus. However, it won’t help you achieve your goal of creating a learning environment that encourages student success.
You will need to rethink the traditional course tasks and assignments when you move to an online course. This will allow you to fully support your virtual students. Make sure you review your course assignments and deadlines. Include engaging resources to keep students focused. This will ensure that students have easy access to resources and materials, regardless of their course model.
Learn How: Optimizing Your Course for Online Delivery with WebAssign, Presented by Mike Lafreniere (Ohio University-Chillicothe)
3. Address Student Readiness–Virtually
Instructors have faced many new challenges in the past year. This includes the ability to help students when they are most need. In this new academic environment, students who are not well-prepared or unable to learn on their own are more difficult than ever. To fill the learning gap and ensure course success, students need to have the necessary skills. The right tools are essential for addressing student readiness.
You can approach your assignments strategically by using new techniques, such as scaffolding assignments, tutorials, and incorporating prerequisite content. This will help bridge the learning gap and empower your students to become independent learners.
Learn How to Deal with the Learning Gap to Fuel Student Achievement, presented by Willem Wallinga (Fisher College).
4. Learn Online Independently
While you can be an outstanding teacher, online students require the skills to be able access, review, and understand the materials that you provide in order to succeed. Teaching your students how to learn independently will help them become a successful learner in their course. WebAssign allows you to assign College Success and Math Mindset activities. This will give learners the opportunity to discuss and improve many soft skills such as test-taking strategies, study skills, and foster a growth mindset.
Learn How: Teaching Students How To Learn, presented by Jill West (Georgia Northwestern Technical College).
5. Motivate students in your online classroom
Students enrolled in online courses face the greatest challenge of staying motivated. Students who lack a structured course schedule are less motivated to complete their coursework and are more likely to be distracted. It can be very beneficial to change the way you present your course via lectures and course material. This will help students focus and stay engaged.
You can watch the student panel to learn how to keep students motivated and engaged in online courses. This panel features Cengage Student Ambassadors Carter Ball (Texas Tech University), Denysha Duncanley (Norfolk University), Ania Crutul (University of Alabama, Birmingham), Gracie Nowlin [University of Arkansas Little Rock]).
6. Make instructional videos to engage students
You’ve probably learned that videos can be a great tool for your online courses. WebAssign makes it easy to add videos to your learning path. Videos can engage students, especially visual learners, and help you illustrate course topics just like you would in the classroom. You may also have noticed the overwhelming number of video tools. Find a