The Online Learning Environment and Learning Management System (LMS)
4 Online Learning in Higher Education
There are several key things that instructors should know about online learning in higher education:
Technology: Instructors should be comfortable with the technology used for online learning, such as learning management systems, video conferencing tools, and collaboration software. It is important to be able to troubleshoot common issues that students may encounter and be able to provide support as needed. This guidebook will help you navigate and learn Avenue to Learn McMaster’s learning management system.
Course design: Online courses require a different approach to course design than traditional classroom courses. Instructors should be familiar with best practices for designing and delivering online courses, including the use of multimedia resources, asynchronous and synchronous activities, and clear communication strategies.
Read Designing Online Learning in Higher Education for more information on online course design and how instructors can be prepared and support.
Engagement: Online courses require active engagement from both instructors and students. Instructors should be prepared to use a variety of strategies to engage students, such as discussion boards, interactive quizzes, and group projects. Regular communication with students is also important to help build a sense of community and support their learning. View the video below to see how the tool in Avenue to Learn support instructors to engage learners.
View Video
Accessibility: Instructors should ensure that their online courses are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. This may involve providing alternative formats for course materials, using captioning or transcripts for videos, and ensuring that the course website and materials meet accessibility guidelines.
Visit the Accessibility Hub for more information, including accessible education training.
Assessment: Online courses require careful consideration of how to assess student learning. The courses offered by McMaster Continuing Education carefully consider using a variety of assessment methods, such as quizzes, assignments, and group projects. Evaluation documents and rubrics provide clear expectations allowing instructors to provide clear feedback to students throughout the course.
Key Takeaways
Overall, instructors should approach online learning with an open mind and a willingness to adapt their teaching strategies to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of this format. By focusing on technology, course design, engagement, accessibility, and assessment, instructors can deliver high-quality online courses that support student learning and success.
References
BrightSpace Tutorials. (2022, December 12). D2L brightspace for instructors: Engaging learners. YouTube. https://youtu.be/u_Oz1gUJCtw
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (March 14 Version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/