Getting Started With Online Teaching

I may never get the opportunity to teach an online class, but part of my job at iQ Academy Wisconsin is to engage students in the online environment both to help them be successful in their virtual studies and to help them feel like they are a part of the online school community. Why? Because successful students who enjoy their online school experience are more likely to stay with the school and tell their friends about the opportunity. That's good for the students and for the school.

Since virtual school students are used to experiencing school both synchronously and asynchronously, engagement activities should utilize both approaches as well. I use Elluminate and Skype to communicate with students in real time. Several iQ Academy teachers use an instant messaging tool called Meebo. 

Asynchronous tools include a lot of email, a discussion board application we call iQ Commons and a school-sponsored Facebook page. Another asynchronous tool that I have used in the past and would like to incorporate again in the future is a closed social networking site. I used one based on the Ning platform that we called iQuad but we had to abandon it when Ning started charging schools to host the site.

I use a variety of activities to engage and retain virtual students. I get them together in Elluminate to play "iGames" like Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit or Would You Rather. I use Google Forms to administer interest surveys, YouTube to post orientation and social event videos and UStream to broadcast our graduation ceremony. I would like to use MicroMobs to host online discussion boards for virtual clubs. I also plan to host parent information sessions and guest speakers in Elluminate.

One program that I started to give prospective new students a taste of the virtual education experience is something we call Test Drive iQ. Before students start their sample class I send them a welcome/introductory email. I try to make the tone of the email warm and inviting so students will see the class as a fun opportunity to experience virtual learning rather than another class they have to take. I also employ the email merge function of Microsoft Word and Outlook so I can personalize the emails and provide the students and parents with their usernames and passwords. I use simple word processing techniques like bold, underline and hyperlinks to make the email instructions clear and concise and I always include my name and contact information to make it easy for students and/or parents to get a hold of me if they have any questions.