What are the major takeaways from our “Online Teaching Practices” series? In this episode, Rob and Jared reflect on the lessons they learned throughout this series and provide some next steps for educators who want to improve their online teaching.

Lesson 1: Reflective Practice Fuels Everything

Lesson 2: Organization Is an Act of Empathy

Lesson 3: Collaboration—You’re Not on an Island

Lesson 4: Crystal-Clear Communication

Lesson 5: Cultivating Community Online

Lesson 6: Media Matters—More Than You Think

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

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How can media enhance an online course? What are the markers of “quality” media in an online course? How can instructors take their media from good to better to best? In this episode, Rob and Jared chat with Jacob Lashuay, the CTL’s instructional media producer, about some practical ways to make high quality media in your courses.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• Best Practices for Webcam Recording -  FOCUS Blog
• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
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Can you really create a good sense of community in an online course? What does it look like? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss what community is, the value of community in an online course, and the best way to encourage community among online students.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

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• Take our survey
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How is being clear about content and grading in an online course different from face-to-face? What needs to be emphasized? What should be avoided? Join Rob and Jared as they discuss clarity in online teaching. 

Clarity in an online course can be achieved by avoiding “UNCLEAR” practices:    

• U – Unexplained jargon or acronyms 
• N – Nonspecific instructions or vague prompts 
• C – Complex, run-on sentences 
• L – Lack of examples or concrete models 
• E – Erratic formatting or inconsistent styling 
• A – Assumptions about prior knowledge 
• R – Rushed or delayed feedback  

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!   
View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

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• Take our survey
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How can someone else help you develop better teaching practices? Who should you collaborate with as you design courses? What forms can collaboration take? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss how collaboration can lead to better teaching and learning.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
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How can structuring and chunking content and assessments in an online course help both the instructor and the learner? What are some best practices for organizing a course in your school’s learning management system? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss how organization can alleviate barriers and facilitate learning in an online course.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode! 

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
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What importance should instructors place on student reflection in their online course? How crucial is modeling self-reflection to your students? In this episode, Rob and Jared discuss self-reflection and how it can be placed pre-, mid-, and post-learning in an online course.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

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• Take our survey
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What are some key aspects of online teaching? What role does self-evaluation play in teaching and learning? In this episode, Rob and Jared begin a new series on online teaching practices and preview the importance of reflecting on your own teaching practices.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

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• Take our survey
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How can Generative AI limit the number of syllabus questions you get? Can students use it as a reviewer before they submit their assignments? In this episode, Rob and Ryan chat with Dave Leitch (Associate Professor of Special Education in the School of Education and Social Work at Cedarville University) about how to leverage Generative AI tools with students.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week’s episode.

Resources

• SchoolAI
• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

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How does an educator practicing law use generative AI in teaching? What are the potential IP or copyright issues that could affect GAI usage? How can GAI help prepare students for tasks they will face in the workplace? In this episode, Rob and Jared chat with Bryan Schroll (General Counsel and Adjunct Professor at Cedarville University) about how he is using GAI in his business law course.

Have questions about some of the topics we’ve discussed recently? Drop all your burning questions in our form for an upcoming Q&A episode!

View a transcript of this week's episode.

Resources

• FOCUS Blog - Cedarville University CTL

Chat with us!

• Take our survey
• Connect with us via LinkedIn
• Contact us at [email protected] with any questions