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As online learning becomes more and more prevalent across the educational spectrum—both in higher education and K-12 settings—faculty members are faced with the prospect of transitioning to teaching in this setting. For some, it may be facilitating a purely asynchronous learning environment with zero face-to-face activities. For others, it may be a blended approach that utilizes both asynchronous and synchronous aspects of learning.

Of the many novel elements of teaching in an online setting as compared to a traditional face-to-face setting, two fundamental aspects are most evident for the first-time online teacher. To be specific, the examples that follow are based on a blended approach that utilizes video conferencing for the real-time, face-to-face component of online learning.

As one’s teaching skills develop in the online setting, it becomes apparent that both traditional and online environments offer unique benefits and share many similarities. For the instructor considering teaching in an online environment, the first two considerations are adjusting to the environment as a whole and taking time to learn the various tools, which this article covers in some detail.

Via Edumorfosis, juandoming, iPamba

Factors affecting the development and practice of self-regulation in online learning might be the introduction of new technology, location of resources, communicating in discussion boards, the distance to others, and handling increased flexibility.

Some solutions to help students self-regulate in online learning environments might be:

Add tips, hints, and non-graded self-assessments after each significant content sectionCreate more social networking and mainstream communication, such as text messaging for quick questions about the content or next stepsCreate online study groups and encourage students to attend; create a virtual world for this – make it funMatch up students in pairs in the beginning of a course to have a study buddy; allow them to connect in ways they desire (mobile phones, online networks)

Online learning has many challenges and the field must continue to find ways not only to enhance learning online but also the quality of education. I think we forget that online learners need a bit more help to learn effectively in a multidimensional environment.

Via iPamba