Lessons from Massive Immersion in Online Teaching

• In Event: 480 - Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology Paper Session. Online Matters

Abstract

I will teach two sections of Introductory Sociology online Spring 2015, with a total of 100 students. I have never taught online before. I participated in a structured workshop to prepare for online teaching.

I will share the top lessons I will have learned in three categories. First, I will make some observations about preparing to teach online effectively, what can be done before the class begins to make it work effectively. Second, I will share lessons learned for delivering the course effectively, what is done during the class. Finally, I will make some observations about the sociological aspects of teaching online, including altered social relationships, the absence of cues such as facial gestures, and the effect of atemporality on the professor-student relationship.

Author

• Theodore C. Wagenaar, Miami University