Teaching online has a unique set of issues that are different from teaching in-person. This list will help guide you through some of the major steps you will want to cover when you go to teach your online course. Whether this is your first time teaching online or you are using this list as a reminder, this list contains information that will help you and your students have a better experince in your online course.
Before the Course Starts
Confirm with your department
Contact your department to confirm all your paperwork is complete and signed before you start teaching the course. See if they have any specific standards, policies, or requirements you need to adhere to for the program, department, or college.
Request a copy of the required materials from the department
Does your course have required materials that need to be purchased? If so, check with your department to obtain a copy of them if you do not already have one.
Review relevant university policies
There are many policies for courses, all of which can be found on the Policy Register. Be sure to review the policies on Plagarism and Students with Disabilities.
Send a welcome message to your students
It is important to contact your students before the class starts so they have any information they need starting on day one. Check with your department for any additional guidelines, but a one to two week email prior to the course starting is a good default timeframe. If you would like you can use this welcome letter template (insert welcome letter doc) and edit is to fit your needs.
Review the course syllabus and scheudle
Familiarize yourself with the course through the syllabus and course schedule. This should provide an outline of the structure of the course, when graded assessments are due, and the policies of the course. (consider adding syllabus and schedule template here)
While the Course is Running
Review student enrollments
Student enrollments often change just before and during the course. Students may add or drop the course or students may be locked out because of non-payment. Keep an eye on your enrollments and be aware of these issues if they present themselves during your course. Prepare how you will get students caught up if they are unable to access the course for a period of time.
Confirm group enrollments
Does your online course use groups? If so, groups need to be populated with students. If your course was copied for you this may have been done, but you will still need to confirm the groups are populated in they way you wish and adjust group enrollment to compensate for students that have added or dropped.
Interact with your students
Check the general discussion forum. Students may post questions or problems there that you are uniquely qualified to answer. Regularly check the topic discussions, journals, blogs, and wikis that are used in your course. Participate in discussions, pose questions, and communicate with your students.
Respond to email
Your students will have questions. Make sure your email is prominently listed in your course so your students can reach you and answer them in a timely manner.
Academic Presence Verification
It is a federal requirement to verify the academic presence of students in online courses. Be sure to log on to flashline and indicate the approprate verification for your students before the deadline for your course. If you have any questions information can be found on the Registrar's website.
Midterm Grades
Are you teaching a 00-, 10-, or 20- level course? If so, you will need to make a midterm report for your students in flashline. Check the deadlines for your particular course if it differs from the standard full term.
After the Course is Complete
Grade Final Assessments
Complete grading any remaining assessments, including final assiments and exams. Depending on the term and the dates of your particular course the turnaround time for final grade may be short.
Finalize grades in the grade center
Make sure your final grades for each student are complete in the learning management system. Don't forget to add any participate or extra credit that is applicable.
Submit final grades to flashline
Complete grades for your course by submitting the final grade for each student in flashline. Be aware of the different codes for students receiving something other than a grade. If you have completed your final grades in the learning management system and your grading schema is accurate you can use the grades push tool to streamline inputting your grades.