Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction

The Spring of 2020 saw educational institutions around the world abruptly convert to online teaching formats. While this transition may be unfamiliar—and even uncomfortable—the skills and techniques needed to engage and empower online learners can be learned and mastered to serve the current and ever-expanding need. This indispensable resource focuses on combining multimodal teaching strategies with innovative technology to help adult learners engage more meaningfully. The book distills decades of research in adult learning and education to provide evidence-based strategies that directly and practically apply to online environments. The author identifies five core areas for focus: principles of adult learning, engagement through presence, diversity and inclusion, community building, and enhancing learner empowerment; thereby demonstrating how to prepare for the online learning environment, design and deliver engaging course content, and effectively evaluate the learning experience.

Book Features:

• A holistic approach that addresses and integrates every key dynamic to ensure the design, development, and delivery of optimal online learning experiences.
• Appropriate for instructors and course designers as they manage blended or fully online teaching models.
• Content is readily applicable across disciplines and institutional types.
• Grounded firmly in research, theory, and best practices related to social presence, engagement, inclusive pedagogy, Understanding by Design (UBD), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), reflective practice, and principles of adult learning and development.
• Comprehensive checklists provide overviews of key action items and associated steps involved in course design, development, and delivery.
• Reflection is a cornerstone of deep learning, and reflective questions are included in each chapter.

Linda Dale Bloomberg has published extensively on online pedagogy, serves on online teaching advisory boards, and holds the positions of associate director of faculty support and development and full professor in the School of Education at Northcentral University. She is committed to developing materials that will ensure teaching excellence in the online environment. Read her posts on the TC Press blog: https://www.tcpress.com/blog/

“Bloomberg’s book successfully outlines a pedagogical methodology for instructors. Her approach is grounded in science and theory. She offers a theoretical perspective to distance learning and a practical and applicable path to procedures. Her book takes the reader through the stages of course design and provides the reader with tips on keeping the student engaged and excited about learning. She is acutely aware of the need to provide inclusivity in all instructor engagement and course design elements. Online learning has a positive trajectory, and maintaining enrollment requires a humanized approach to teaching and learning. Bloomberg provides this in her book.”

—Adult Learning

“Whether readers are instructors who are contemplating teaching online, are relatively new to online teaching, or have been engaged in the field for some time and seek to enhance their practice, Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction offers key principles for understanding the online learning experience as well as actionable strategies for engaging and supporting learners.”

—Sir Read a Lot

“In my role as an academic strategist, I am often asked to recommend a guidebook for faculty transitioning to online instruction. Dr. Bloomberg provides an outstanding practical framework for designing and delivering engaging online experiences, supported by the latest research. Comprehensive without being ponderous, practical without being simplistic—I will be recommending this book frequently to my colleagues.”
—John E. Neal, vice president, university relations, 2U

“Linda Bloomberg’s latest book, Designing and Delivering Effective Online Instruction, could not come at a more important time in education. Dr. Bloomberg not only addresses the ‘how to’ of designing instruction but emphasizes the most important elements of building relationships—both instructor-to-student and between students. Addressing equity and bias sets her book apart from others, and her expertise, commitment, professionalism, and passion for teaching come through in her writing. This book should be a must-read for all online faculty members!”
—Rebecca Wardlow, dean, College of Education, United States University

“An engaging, relevant roadmap that is a must-read for any online instructor. This book is a practical guide to the pedagogy of online teaching that will help instructors to be present and to foster authentic interactions with their students.”
—Allison Moore, online adjunct instructor, Grand Canyon University

Contents

Preface  ix
Purpose and Function of This Book  xi
Organization of This Book  xv
What Sets This Book Apart?  xviii
Additional Defining Features of This Book  xxii

Introduction: Going the Distance—An Overview of Online Learning  1
The Landscape of Online Learning  1
The Role of the Online Instructor  7

Part I: The Art Of The Start—Design and Develop Online Instruction  13

1.  Develop Course Learning Outcomes  17
Outcomes Are Aligned with Your Vision for the Course  18
Outcomes Are Sequenced  22
Outcomes Are Specific and Measurable  24
Course Content is Aligned with Outcomes  24
Chapter Summary and Synthesis  27
Reflection Checkpoint  27

2.  Plan for Assessment of Learning  29
Assessment Instruments and Methods  30
Formative and Summative Assessment  35
Guidelines for Effective Assessment  37
Chapter Summary and Synthesis  39
Reflection Checkpoint  39

3.  Create Course Content  41
Adult Learning Principles  42
The Multimedia Principle  44
Transforming Teaching Material into Audio and Video Content  51
Organization and Presentation of Material  53
Collaborative Learning Opportunities  58
Scaffolding  63
Inclusion, Equity, and Accessibility  65
Chapter Summary and Synthesis  72
Reflection Checkpoint  73

Part I Synthesis  75

Part II: Traveling The Educational Journey— Deliver Engaging and Empowering Learning Experiences  81

4.  Onboard and Welcome Learners  85
Learner Engagement and Teaching Presence  85
Prepare for the Online Learning Experience  90
Strategies for Onboarding Engagement  91
Support Learners to be Successful  96
Strategies for Ongoing Supportive Engagement  99
Monitor and Address Progress and Development  103
Strategies for Effective Monitoring  103
Chapter Summary and Synthesis  104
Reflection Checkpoint  105

5.  Establish and Build Teaching Relationships  107
Benefits of Positive Working Relationships  108
Develop Your Working Relationships  108
Engage Through Presence  110
Foster a Growth Academic Mindset  112
Power and Positionality  116
Chapter Summary and Synthesis  119
Reflection Checkpoint  120

6.  Multimodal Teaching Strategies to Engage and Empower Learners  122
Respect Diversity and Strive for Inclusion  122
Culturally Responsive Teaching  123
Address Unequal Access to Technology  124
Develop a Learning Community  126
Facilitate Group Work and Collaboration  127
Feedback as the Medium of Instruction  130
Prepare to Provide Feedback  135
Guiding Principles for Substantive and Engaging Feedback  139
Multimodal Teaching  146
Assessment and Grading  151
Chapter Summary and Synthesis  153
Reflection Checkpoint  154

Part II Synthesis  157
Part III: Taking Stock—A Review of Multimodal Engagement  165

7.  Revisiting Your Engagement Strategies  167
Engagement Indicators  167
Ensure Teaching Presence  170
Nurture Working Relationships  171
Apply Effective Facilitation Practices  174
Create a Sense of Community  176
Address Diversity and Inclusivity  178
Embrace Learner Autonomy and Empowerment  180
Support Learners’ Use of Technology  182
Establish and Maintain a Culture of Trust and Transparency  183
Chapter Summary and Synthesis  186

8.  Instructor as Reflective Practitioner  187
Reflective Practice  187
Implicit Bias  189
Final Reflection  190

Glossary  193

References  216

Index  224

About the Author  234

Online Appendixes
Appendix A: Bloom’s Taxonomy
Appendix B: Accessibility Resources
Appendix C: Sample Welcome Letter
Appendix D: Learner Support Resource: How to Benefit from Feedback and Critique
Appendix E: Sample Learning Contract
Appendix F: Guidelines for Conducting Peer Review
Appendix G: Guidelines for Implementing Peer Dialogue Journals
Appendix H: Satisfactory Versus Unsatisfactory Written Feedback Samples
Appendix I: Samples of Feedback Commentary
Appendix J: Sample Grading Rubric
Appendix K: Sample Grade Justification Rubric
Appendix L: Engagement Evaluation Rubric
Appendix M: Annotated Research Resources: Engagement in Online Learning
Appendix N: Online Support Resources
Appendix O: Applications to Support and Enhance Online Teaching and Learning