Teaching Methods

It is not always easy for instructors to decide how and when to deploy the wide array of online teaching technologies available to them from both the University and commercial ventures. To narrow down and make sense of these choices, it is often best to identify where technology would best serve the overall teaching goals, methods, or strategies employed in a given course. To aid instructors in this process, we have developed a number of modules based on common teaching strategies and practices that succinctly outline how technologies can be used to enhance those practices. These modules will be helpful to those looking for suggestions, examples, or inspiration on using online technologies in their teaching.

Strategy Modules

Active Learning in the Online Environment

There has been a movement within higher education to encourage active learning in the classroom. Concurrently, the widespread availability of online technologies offers new tools to aid instructors in implementing active learning techniques in their courses. This part of our web site explores how these online technologies can promote active learning. More...

Topics explored within this module include:

• What is Active Learning?
• Strategies for Implementing Active Learning into a Hybrid Course
• Creating an Active Learning Environment Online

Inquiry and Problem-Based Learning in the Online Environment

Inquiry and problem-based exercises are becoming a regular part of the teaching arsenal for many instructors. These instructors are increasingly turning to online tools, which provide an effective means to augment inquiry and problem-based lessons by facilitating collaborative work, streamlining assessment, and providing a platform for extensive guided exploration. This section discusses how instructors can create inquiry and problem-based curricula, while also learning how to augment the lessons through online tools. More...

Topics explored within this module include:

• What are Inquiry and Problem-Based Learning?
• Using the Internet to Augment Inquiry and Problem-Based Learning

Teaching with Online Communication Tools

Online communication tools, from email to chat, provide powerful platforms to enrich discussions among students, implement collaborative assignments, foster peer review, and encourage greater communication between students and instructors. More...

Topics explored within this module include:

• Using Online Tools to Facilitate Discussion and Writing
• Teaching with Asynchronous Communication Tools
• Teaching with Synchronous Communication Tools

Further Resources

There are a number of teaching and learning resources on campus and on the web for instructors looking to improve and expand their teaching repertoire. We have compiled a brief list of some of our campus resources and outside resources for those interested in teaching with technology.

• Discussions and Examples from CITES EdTech of Good Teaching with Technology Practices
• General Teaching Resources at the University of Illinois Urbana Campus
• Off Campus Teaching and Learning With Technology Resources