In the beginning

In reflecting on how I entered the world of hybrid/online teaching, it is amazing how far I have come. When I was hired to teach at UAB, the department was still using scantrons for exams, printing out the exams, printing out the syllabi, handouts, and any thing else the professor wanted the students to have. That first year, I cut my printing costs by 2/3s by having electronic exams, and posting my syllabi and power points online.

It did not come easy. I went to seminars and other educational offerings in order to learn how to teach effectively online. I had to learn how to discourage cheating and detect plagiarism, how to encourage interaction within the community of students who were totally online as well as to motivate students who were in courses that were considered hybrid.

Yes, it was alot of upfront work setting up the courses. Teaching modules had to be created, the discussion board had to be organized, exams had to be uploaded and formatted. I added links to supplimental material so the students would have other sources of information more current than their textbooks. I discovered the world of YouTube videos. Chat was a good way to hold virtual office hours.

Then I had to teach my students how to be self directed learners. Most had always been dependent learners, and this concept was new and rather frightening to them. A common complaint was that they were teaching themselves and the professor wasn't doing anything. But they slowly came to understand the concept. Some were naturals. Others had to be instructed in motivational techniques. You see, this technique has its disadvantages when it is not used to include all types of learners. The professor must emerge him/herself in how this can be accomplished and become skillful with those techniques.

For visual learners, videos and video conferences work. For those who must hear the information, voice over used with text and power point works well. For those who learn by touch or writing, using assignments that steer the student in this direction are effective. Use of podcasts, wikis, iphones; all these electronic devices can be used to turn the student into a scholar.

Teaching using electronic devices is challenging to both the professor and the student. If used appropriately and creatively, it can also be fullfilling.