What do you think about online classes?

They take less time to teach

They are easy to build

It’s just posting video lectures

They’re not inter- active

You have to be techy

Once it’s built, you’re done

Since I don’t have to go to class, won’t teaching online give me more time to do other things?

Actually, teaching an online course the first time can take up to 40 percent more time than teaching a face-to-face course. Subsequent offerings take less time, but on average, teaching a course online will take as much time as teaching face-to-face.

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Isn’t converting a face-to-face course to an online course relatively easy and quick?

Online courses aren’t just “face-to-face course conversions.” It takes time to think through how you will structure student-to-student interaction, organize group work and presentations, and create a meaningful online learning experience.

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To build the course I just need to record my lectures and post them in Canvas, right?

A successful online course is more than video lectures and slide decks. Your video is one part of the course content, along with readings and other resources. It also need activities such as quizzes, discussions, collaborative activities, and hands-on practice

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I’m not a “techy” person so there’s no way I could even think about teaching online.

Using Canvas, it’s not difficult to do common things like post your syllabus and other materials, organize discussions, and set up assignments and quizzes. The Canvas Guides and the Canvas Community are there to help.

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My face-to-face classroom is really interactive and that won't translate well to an online class.

Good online courses can be more interactive than face-to- face courses because they allow students who may be uncomfortable speaking up in class (like non-native English speakers or introverts) to participate more frequently than they would otherwise.

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Once I develop the course, it’s good to go for a long time and I don’t have to worry about it.

A good online course needs thoughtful, ongoing tweaking and updating to improve the course and keep it current and fresh. Links to web resources need to be checked each semester. Student feedback provides a basis for regular revision and improvement.

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