Online & Active Teaching Resources (University/College-Level): Best Practices

Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education

(Chickering & Gamson, 1987)

Online Teaching Applications

1. Encourages contacts between students and faculty.

• Hold electronic office hours
• Instructor and student profile pages to get to know one another
• Inform students when you will routinely check email (I check my email on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, etc.)
• Use announcements, emails, and discussion forums

2. Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students.

• Discussion forums
• Use Google Docs for collaborative work
• Wikis
• Group projects

3. Uses active Learning techniques.

• Organize online courses around projects
• Assign projects that end in a product that students present to the class
• Involve students with case studies, vignettes and problem- based learning

4. Gives prompt feedback.

• Inform your students how long it will take to return work (I will grade these assignments within one week of receiving them.)
• Use rubrics
• Use the Canvas Gradebook features

5. Emphasizes time on task.

• Set definite deadlines
• Send reminders or announcements about deadlines

6. Communicates high expectations.

• Use Rubrics to show expectations for participation and assignments
• Regularly praise quality postings and participation
• Give students examples of exemplary work

7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning.

• Use a variety of mediums including videos, audio clips, PowerPoint, texts, etc.
• Allow students to choose project topics that relate to their interest or work