Best Practices in Teaching Online

Convert Microsoft documents to PDF format or web format BEFORE creating Content topics

NOTE: Because Microsoft documents such as Word files and PowerPoint files can cause problems for students in D2L due to the pop-up blocker, we recommend the following alternatives:

1. Word Files
   Save all Word documents in the PDF format. Exception: Do not convert any Word document used as a template that students need to fill in and submit as an assignment.
2. PowerPoint Files
   1. Save PowerPoint presentations as webpages to create a "Read-only version" document. You will need to create a zip file for the folder that is created from this process. Then you can upload the zip file to the Manage Files area of the D2L class shell. You will need to upzip the file to release the folder by clicking on the icon.
   2. Create a PDF file of the PowerPoint handouts version (e.g., 6 slides to a page) to upload to the D2L class as a "Printable version" document.

   Be aware of the effects of download time for various multimedia file sizes

   Some students do not have access to highspeed internet service. When Content files are very large, this can cause problems for students with dialup connection. Trying to download large files can take significant amounts of time and can even crash the student's computer. To determine the amount of time to download a file, you can use the Intel Download Calculator [NOTE: You will need to scroll down on the page to see the calculator.]

Discussion Questions

• Create open-ended questions [so] that learners can explore and apply the concepts that they are learning
• Model good Socratic-type probing and follow-up questions. Why do you think that? What is your reasoning? Is there an alternative strategy? Ask clarifying questions that encourage students to think about what they know and don't know.
• Provide guidelines and instruction on responding to other students. For example, suggest a two-part response: (1) what you liked or agreed with or what resonated with you, and (2) a follow-up question such as what you are wondering about or curious about, etc. [from Designing for Learning]

File name for student documents: To avoid error messages when trying to open student documents submitted to the Dropbox, you should tell your students not to put periods or other characters in the file name of their documents (e.g., Word documents). These characters include "&," "#," "@," and "," (a comma). Suggest to students that they keep the file name short and use letters and numbers only, preferably with no spaces. The hyphen (-) and underline or underscore (_)) are acceptable characters.

Dropbox folder names: To help avoid the problem discussed above, you should create Dropbox folder names that are simple and that do not include the unacceptable characters mentioned above. Students tend to use the folder name for an assignment when they save their document.

Have students contribute online resources and make them available using the Links tool: Enlist student assistance in identifying high quality resources that are available online. These can include journal articles, informational articles, tutorials, simulations and other supplementary materials from online sources. Ask the students to include:

• Title of the resource
• Brief description or abstract of the resource
• The web address (URL) of the resource

RECOMMENDATION: When you add a resource to the Links area, include the web address (URL) in the description box. This allows students to print out the Links list with all relevant information. This is important because, when the semester has ended, students can no longer enter the D2L class site to access the Links resources.

Welcome Notice: Because all D2L shells are empty when they are created, you should create an initial News item that will be displayed on the homepage for the class. We recommend a Welcome notice with a brief overview of the class and instructions for getting started, e.g., "Click on Content in the navigation bar above to get started."

Accessibility: Do NOT use colored font for text in News items. This can make the text difficult or impossible to read for individuals with visual challenges. For text, you should use a dark color font (e.g., black or dark blue). Color can be used to highlight words or for headings. HOWEVER, color should not be used to indicate an alternative to select.

Get Student Feedback: On a regular basis, use the Surveys tool to get for informal feedback from the students on how the class is going and asking for suggestions.