WIIFM – Learning Online to Teach Online

A response to the WIIFM Activity
created by Ashley Priest (@APriestGC)

Number of views: 212

Some faculty that are assigned to teach a fully developed online course may balk at having to do professional development – the course is already done, they just have to run it, right? But teaching an online course is a lot of work. Although they didn’t have the development work, they do need to know how to communicate effectively with students, why the course is arranged in a particular way, and how to personalize the experience so that students don’t feel disconnected and like they are just learning all on their own. Here are some ways that I might frame “what’s in it for you”:

  • the course models what online learning can look like – you will have first hand experience so that you can relate to your students
  • your students will have a better experience if you know how to navigate the online learning environment and communicate effectively online
  • you will have a better experience running the course if you know how to navigate the online learning environment and how to communicate effectively with your students in this delivery mode
  • add to your professional skill set – future employability (online learning isn’t going away!)