Using the Seven Principles of Effective Teaching Online

byGeoffrey Cain, M.S.Instructional DesignerTacoma Community College

What are the Seven Principles? Encourages Student Contact Encourages Cooperation Encourages Active Learning Gives Prompt Feedback Emphasizes Time On Task Communicates High Expectations Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of KnowingFrom “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education” by

Chickering and Gamson

1. Encourages Student Contact

Face-to-Face:•Emphasize office hours•Encourage e-mail contact•Begin class with Q&A

Online:•Include a photo of yourself•Create an introduction forum

2. Encourages Cooperation

Face-to-Face:•Set up study groups•Connect students doing similar research•In-class group work•Peer reviews

Online:•Same as above!

3. Encourages Active Learning

Face-to-Face:•In-class group work•Round robin discussions•Q&A sessions in lecture

Online:•Same as above!

4. Gives Prompt Feedback

Face-to-Face:•Keep office hours•Get tests and assignments back quickly•Encourage in-class discussion•Review tests in class after grading

Online:•MS Word imbed comments

5. Emphasizes Time On Task

Face-to-Face:•Estimate time for each assignment•Grade outcomes, not attendance•Time expectations for a college class are communicated•Incorporate time management tips into lessons

Online:•Time commitment expectations communicated clearly in syllabus

6. Communicates High Expectations

Face-to-Face: Give detailed rubric Detailed syllabus Verbal reinforcement of

expectations Incorporate time management

tips into lessons

Online: Adaptive release of syllabus Include online behavior

expectations

7. Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Knowing

Face-to-Face:•Offer lessons that require visual skills, gaming or multimedia•Offer choices for assessments•Offer chances for students to take leadership roles in groups

Online:•Multimedia lessons•Articulate•Podcasting

In Conclusion…

A good follow up to the original article is Chickering and Ehrmann’s Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever

Good teaching is no accident whether face-to-face or online.