What Makes Good Online Teaching?

This week, I reviewed the iNACOL standards for quality online teaching in preparation for designing an online lesson.  These standards attempt to describe the knowledge and skills a K-12 teacher must have in order to be successful teaching in an online or blended environment.  Many of these standards reiterate that what makes a good teacher is the same, regardless of the setting.  For example, the iNACOL standards say an online teacher should know current instructional best practices, be skilled in designing assessments, and have the ability to differentiate instruction based on a wide range of student needs.

There were several standards, especially as part of standard B and standard E, which would not necessarily apply in a brick and mortar classroom.  These standards address skills such as troubleshooting technology, implementing an acceptable use policy, and others specific to the use of technology in the classroom.  Currently, brick and mortar classrooms do not necessarily include technology, so a teacher working in that environment may be able to do their job without those skills.  As time passes, however, technology is becoming more and more integrated into every classroom and even teachers who would never dream of leading an online class will find they must learn these skills.

One common theme in not only the iNACOL standards, but the other readings for this week, has been the importance of a student-centered environment when teaching online.  The rationale is that not only does the flexibility of online learning lend itself to a student-centered approach, but online students cannot be separated from distractions in the same way that students in face-to-face classrooms can.  The implication is that a teacher-centered approach is fine for the traditional classroom, but that must change when going online.  I would argue that a teacher-centered approach should be changed regardless of the setting.  Just because a brick and mortar classroom provides a captive audience does not mean that the students present are truly engaged.  Regardless of where the learning happens, students, not teachers, should be the focus of the classroom.