Things An Instructor Should Know about Teaching/Learning

1. First and foremost, be open to new and familiar things. You will never know what you can do unless you are willing to try. Also, you can’t expect learners to do something you are not wiling to do yourself; we lead and learn by example!!!
2. Really, know the course management system in which your institution operates, technical capabilities and limitations (server size, CMS size allowed) and who can help you when needed.
3. Organization is the key (Diigo)
4. Put in the time and effort to make your course awesome, your hard work will reflect in your students.
5. Diversity, in education, learning and learner; provide choices and options for learners in their assignments.
6. Keep the learner in mind when making technology choices. Will the learner be able to use this with his/her internet connection, software, and computer?
7. Learn about fair use laws, what can be used and what laws are applied to the use and distribution of materials in classes. These are good links to get started: http://www.edu/library/copy.shtml ,Stanford University's Fair Use Resources Page, http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
8. Be familiar with the places to look for ready made content (Youtube, Google video, CNN video, Discovery channel video, Youtube Edu, etc...)
9. Add polling and or/ texting in your course, learn how to make it fit.
10. Know how to create quizzes and survey, use them in your course they are invaluable feedback and assessment tools. Assessing your courses regularly. Asking for student feedback/input on if the course is meeting the goals/objectives set, both learner and course. (Survey Monkey,Poll Everywhere, Zoomerang, SurveyGizmo)
11. Join social networks (join/meet the learners where they are). While I am not totally convenience this social tool will be useful in the classroom as a teaching tool, it is still interesting to know how the next generations of learners are communicating and relating to each other outside of the classroom. (Facebook, Likedln)
12. Provide feedback to your learners. You can also make it more personable from time to time (Audacity).
13. Experiment with tools to make your own content (Prezi, Jing)
14. Join a group that wants to develop technology in educational setting. It is amazing how many great ideas that are shared; it’s been proven your course can be much better as a result.
15. Think about virtual online office hours (Elluminate, Skype , Oovoo) . In addition, guest speakers can be invited utilizing such tools.
16. Always think about the technology and how to incorporate it in your course but don’t force it, make sure it serves a valuable purpose.
17. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from other online instructors or follow bloggers with your same interest in education, here’s another place of support and mentoring. Blogs can also be an excellent addition to the classroom! (blogger, EduBlog, Joomla)
18. Investigate the technology choices; there are many out there that are FREE!!!
19. Always have a back up plan, including alternative: websites, applications, storage systems. (iCloud, MOOC’s)
20. Seek out training/professional development opportunities related to online education–and encourage your institution to offer them!
21. Consider your own time – will you be able to devote the necessary time to an online course (maintaining/updating materials, responding/connecting to learners, etc.)?
22. Establish and maintain a clear syllabus with clear policies and expectations – both for your learners and yourself!
23. Don’t be afraid; be willing to try new things!!!!!!!!!!

24. Evaluate what worked well and what needs to be improved on It’s not appropriate to teach the way we were taught. Change is inevitable!!!