13041

13041

General Session - Conference Presentation and Interactive Activity Only (40 minutes, no formal paper)

Elaine Alden, Ashford University, San Diego, CA, USA, elaine.alden@ashford.edu Ray Powers, Ashford University, San Diego, CA, USA, ray.powers@ashford.edu Alan Swank, Ashford University, San Diego, CA, USA, alan.swank@ashford.edu
 * Establishing Teacher Presence in the Online Environment: Guidance of Best Practice **

The interactive forum will share guidance on research recently completed at Ashford University. The purpose of the research was to obtain a best practice view of strategies for establishing exceptional teacher presence in the online classroom, taking into consideration the cultural evolution of online instruction, recent technology developments, a focus on continuous quality improvement, and inspirational instructor creativity used to enhance critical thinking and exceed student learning objectives. Of key interest were inspired interventions on the part of the instructor with the goal of being ‘seen’, and enhancing student success through building more effective and accessible relationships with online students. The project included a review of academic literature and existing AU data; then the researchers gathered information from an external group of 100 higher education online faculty to compile guidance on best practice in the industry. Participants were asked 2 experiential questions which sought to understand what approaches they are using and if they were effective (perceptions and/or measures), as well as how the faculty member tailored their approaches for differing course topics, student demographics, and technology access. There was keen interest in creative use of technology to ensure timely, consistent, and effective teacher presence; especially approaches which sought to engage students of the visual, mobile, and digital media age. The responses were analyzed using qualitative research protocols; guidance has been compiled suggesting best practice strategies. The final outcome of this research project is to provide online instructors and the industry with the most current knowledge of best practice tools.

//Interactivity // We will present a video/powerpoint presentation of the topic and the research results. The results will include examples of varied technology approaches used by the online instructors including Animoto slideshows, audio lectures, web field trips, etc. We will then allow for an interactive discussion to ask questions, provide feedback and share approaches.

All Audiences Teacher Presence Online Teaching Best Practice