Making the Transition to Teaching Online in Higher Education :Making the Transition to Teaching Online in Higher Education EISTA July 12, 2009 Dr. Greg Williams University of Maryland, USA


Dr. Greg Williams :Dr. Greg Williams Director & Assistant Professor University Maryland gregw@umbc.edu www.gregwilliams.net


Session Agenda :Session Agenda


eLearning Pros & Cons :eLearning Pros & Cons


“I know it when I see it” :“I know it when I see it” Potter Stewart Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice


Slide 6: What Does eLearning Look Like?


eLearning Growth :eLearning Growth


eLearning & Your Career :eLearning & Your Career Not for everyone Not going away Opportunities are increasing Too old? Meet Jim Manion


Instructor Benefits of eLearning :Instructor Benefits of eLearning Flexibility Convenience Same as students Other?


Career Impact :Career Impact What skills do online faculty need? Impact for faculty? Portfolios Problem or opportunity?


This Isn’t What I Signed Up For :This Isn’t What I Signed Up For


Exercise - KSAs of Effective Instructor :Exercise - KSAs of Effective Instructor Traits of an Effective Instructor?


Traits of an Effective Online Instructor? :Traits of an Effective Online Instructor?


My Transition to eLearning(not recommended) :My Transition to eLearning(not recommended)


Opportunity Knocks :Opportunity Knocks


Greg’s Plan to Teach Online :Greg’s Plan to Teach Online My Plan to Teach Online


How Teaching Online is Different :How Teaching Online is Different How eLearning is Different


Technology Tools :Technology Tools


Tools to Teach Online :Tools to Teach Online Webcam, microphone, camcorder LMS, e.g. Blackboard, Moodle PowerPoint to Flash software Screen capture software (Jing)


: On a Tight Budget?


Slide 21: Don’t Leave Your Career to Chance


10 Steps to eLearning :10 Steps to eLearning Assess motivation & interest Clarify goals, set timeline Make a commitment Talk to faculty that do it Take an online course


10 Steps to eLearning :10 Steps to eLearning Observe a course Find training Be guest speaker Practice & experiment Fly solo!


Ways to Get Started Quickly :Ways to Get Started Quickly Consider a “blended” approach Use online discussion questions Webcam to create short video message Use screen capture software (Jing) Experiment Build on small successes


Slide 25: It’s Not as Hard as You Think


Slide 26:“eLearning” will be just “Learning” New competencies for faculyy Increased career opportunities New Skills & Opportunities


Closing Thoughts :Closing Thoughts eLearning is not going away Embrace it as an opportunity It’s simpler than you think Don’t let technology stop you You can do it! (if you want to)


Dr. Greg Williams :Dr. Greg Williams Assistant Professor University Maryland gregw@umbc.edu www.gregwilliams.net