Online Teaching and the Instructional Design of Online Courses: The Experiences and Practices of Four College Professors

• In Event: 63.073 - Online Teaching and Learning SIG Paper Session 4

Abstract

In 2013, over 7 million students in higher education took at least one online course in the United States. Every year, the number increases by hundreds of thousands across the country. Many issues need to be considered, and many challenges have to be overcome to ensure the positive impact of online learning on our educational system.

This study, by interviewing four college professors, explored their understandings of instructional design and their experiences of teaching online courses. On the one hand, the findings implied a pedagogical paradigm shift gradually arising from the professors’ online teaching experiences. On the other hand, challenges experienced by the professors further highlighted the importance of instructional design in online courses.

Author

• Tsan-Jui Cheng, Columbia University