6.1 Tips to emphasize time on task

Tips to emphasize time on task

• Indicate somewhere how much time students should spend on class activities per week.
• Emphasize that online does not mean self-paced. You have expectations and firm due dates for assignments and activities and expect students to meet these dates.
• Provide learning objectives for each module.
• Structure responses to the discussion board so students are required to post well before the due date.
• Use self-checks (graded by Blackboard) so students can check their understanding
• Provide practice tests.
• Create assignments requiring interaction and have firm due dates for the assignments.
• Require students to post questions about the readings to the discussion board.
• Use some type of point system to reward students willing to assume additional responsibility (like moderating the discussion board).
• Make assignments and activities pertinent to the students.
• Remind students of the time they have gained by not having to sit in class or travel to class.
• Develop assignments that require students to submit draft assignments and to respond to your feedback on an assignment.
• Design your course to encourage frequent interaction (student-to-student).
• Organize your course so it is easy to navigate.