Be VOCAL: How to Be a Successful Online InstructorSandra BennettJosh Simpson

Wilmington University

http://youtu.be/laQ1y2x3Pqc •Online Instructor Competency

• There are necessary qualifications of an online instructor that most certainly ensure for student success.

•What does VOCAL mean?Online Learning

Visible

Organized

Analytical

Leader-by-example

V

O

L

C

A

Compassionate

• Verbal communication is key• Strive for presence1. Social presence2. Cognitive presence3. Teaching presence

Why it matters?•V-Visible

Who is our instructor?

Where is our instructor?

Bill Pelz "(My) Three Principles of Effective Online Pedagogy." Journal ofAsynchronous Learning Networks, Volume 8, Issue 3: June 2004.

FACILITATING• Presenting• Summarizing• Confirming

DIRECT INSTRUCTION

•Components of Teaching PresencePresence is the awareness of another person and appreciation of the relationship.

Is anybody there?

• Encouraging• Supporting• Drawing in

• Clear expectations• Syllabus is concise and gives

all information needed for the course

• Assignments are explained and due dates are given

• Provide helpful instructions for navigating through course

• Make sure the course is easy to navigate

•O- OrganizationWhy it matters?

• Surprisingly intimate• Culturally responsive• Understanding of students’

needs and feelings• Opportunity for student to

communicate directly with the instructor

• Build an environment that is supportive and open.

•C- CompassionateWhy it matters?

• Timely return of feedback on assignments

• Analysis of student data• Manage assignments so that

they can be completed in smaller chunks

• Provide opportunities for feedback

• Provide clear expectations for assessing participation

•A- AnalyticalWhy it matters?

• YOU set the tone for student performance through student-teacher interactions

• Model best practices to assist student learning

• Use public and private communication to ensure visibility

•L- Leader-by ExampleWhy it matters?

• Teacher and students • Distance learning • Positive online learning experience

•Successful LearningEach VOCAL component contributes to a positive teaching experience for the instructor and a successful learning experience for

the student.

Characteristic 1 – VisibleCharacteristic 2– OrganizedCharacteristic 3 – CompassionateCharacteristic 4 – AnalyticalCharacteristic 5 – Leader-by Example

The ability of the teacher to effectively infuse these characteristics into their instructional practice- to be VOCAL- will promote a supportive, challenging, constructive, rigorous, and effective instructional environment.

Savery, J.R. (2005). BE VOCAL: Characteristics of Successful Online Instructors. Journal of Interactive Online Learning. Retrieved October 26, 2011 from http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/issues/viewarticle.cfm?volID=4&IssueID=15&ArticleID=73&Source=2

•VOCAL ReviewSuccessful Online Teaching

• Boettcher, J.V. (2011). Ten Best Practices for Teaching Online: Quick Guide for New Online Faculty. http://www.designingforlearning.info/services/writing/ecoach/tenbest.html. Accessed October 19, 2011. Designing for Learning 2006-2011

• The Hanover Research Council. (2009). Best Practices in Online Teaching Strategies. http://www.hanoverresearch.com/library/assets/libPdfs/Best%20Practices%20in%20Online%20Teaching%20Strategies%20-%20Membership.pdf Accessed October 19, 2011. The Hanover Research Council July 2009

• Savery, John R. (2005). “Be VOCAL: Characteristics of Successful Online Instructors.” Journal of Interactive Online Learning. 4:2., Fall 2005. Pg. 141. See http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/issues/pdf/4.2.6.pdf

Bibliography•Successful Online Teaching

VOCALVisibleOrganizedCompassionateAnalyticalLeader-by example