Overwhelming Discussions? Check Out These Helpful Resources!

Instructors with particularly lively student groups may struggle with how to manage their time within discussions. For related advice, check out these links from CCCOnline's Faculty Wiki:

“Strategies for Engaging Discussions”:
http://at.ccconline.org/faculty/wiki/Teaching_Resources_-_Building_Community_and_Discussions_-_Strategies_for_Engaging_Discussions

“Learn to be Efficient”:
http://at.ccconline.org/faculty/wiki/Teaching_Resources_-_Other_Resources_-_Strategies_for_Successful_Online_Teaching#Learn_to_be_Efficient

Professional Development Webinar Archive; you’ll find some relevant topics here: http://at.ccconline.org/faculty/wiki/Professional_Development_-_Webinar_Archive

Instructors’ Frequently Asked Questions about Discussions at CCCOnline:
http://at.ccconline.org/faculty/wiki/Policies_%26_Procedures_-_Faculty_Handbook_-_Evaluation_-_Faculty_Gold_-_FAQs

Especially if you are a seasoned online instructor, please feel free to share your favorite tried-and-true discussion management strategies. Join us in the companion Community discussion thread.

Wrapping up the Term

When wrapping up a semester with your students, there are some administrative duties as well as some best practices for concluding your course with students.

-Back up a copy of the grade book to your computer
- Communicate end of term procedures to learners and consider including the following:
1. How to review final grades
2. How to dispute grades (highlight FERPA and that Learner must contact the instructor)
3. How to reach the instructor outside of the course; last date instructor will monitor course.
4. When learner access to the course is available (14 days after term ends)

- Contact your Chair for:
1. Student issues
2. Academic Integrity issues
3. Grade submission issues

What else do you like to do to reach out to your students one last time?

Karen Kaemmerling
CCCOnline Director of Training and Professional Development
Social Sciences Chair
History Instructor
720-858-2765
karen.kaemmerling@cccs.edu