As elearning program (online, distance education, hyflex, etc.) enrollments continue to increase around the world and locally (BRCC's enrollment doubled from summer 2017 to summer 2018), certain issues continue to impede student success. We know that student engagement is very important to motivation but how can we promote interactions between and among students and the instructor? In addition, students using the eLearning delivery mode need to have good time management skills in order to stay focused and meet deadlines. Dr. Danielle Geary suggests that it all begins with our syllabus. "Structure and communication. That’s what I’ve found to be the keys to an effective online course syllabus. Well, that, and something I call a chapter checklist, to go along with the syllabus. I’ve discovered both to be essential to my asynchronous online foreign language course," she writes. She goes on to describe how taking the time to explain the effort needed to succeed in an elearning course (i.e. tips for studying) can be very beneficial to students as they enter the semester. You can read her entire article here.

Have you ever considered teaching an online class? The eLearning Program at BRCC offers online and hybrid class delivery as options for our students. One of the next options could be a synchronous course taught live from wherever your internet, camera, headphones, and mic will allow you to broadcast. Is that something that excites or creates anxiety for you? Dr. Devoney Looser recently posted a very revealing essay on this topic. Initially she was very nervous about teaching online but a family situation challenged her to take another look at online teaching. She writes, "The stereotype that online instruction is less rigorous, or that students cannot be engaged in it with appropriate rigor, isn’t borne out by my experience. Anyone who’s taught an on-the-ground class has looked out into the classroom and seen boredom or disconnection. By comparison, my online students were choosing when to log on to do their work. They seemed very tuned in when they did. It’s possible I’m just not as skilled at recognizing online students merely going through the motions, but I found them, as a group, exceptionally dedicated, motivated, and talented." If you are interested in becoming certified to teach in the BRCC eLearning Program, contact Susan Nealy. You can continue reading Dr. Looser's post here.