Abstract:

As more teachers retire, there is a growing need for more teachers to fill these open positions. Also, the field of teaching has been drastically changing over the past two decades with the increased use of technology and the Internet. As a result, more educational institutions, on all levels, are moving towards more e-learning opportunities. Consequently, this has caused many teachers to rethink their role and function as educators, and it has caused more current and potential teachers to consider the possibility of teaching online. The main focus of this presentation will focus on how several universities have approached the preparation of their instructors as they transition from on-ground classes over to online classes.

Further, this presentation will focus on transitioning new and current instructors teaching in a live classroom setting to prepare them to teach online. The online learning environment differs from the physical, live classroom setting in terms of student population, use of technology, and vast ranges of time zones shared by a variety of students in an online course. As a result, it is important for adequate and appropriate online training/instruction be afforded to this specific population of educators. While online instructors may start out teaching students from local areas, this particular opportunity has been changing over the past decade. In fact, many online instructors have noted an increase in a more diversified student population in their classes. Further, they realize that they need to update their teaching skills, practices and strategies in order to accommodate the changing needs of the learners in the classroom, as well as updating their own portfolio.

Many instructors, in various disciplines, have noticed the changes in teaching methods and strategies in their respective academic areas as more technology is introduced into their schools and departments. Further, many have noted that use of online learning has helped to increase student registrations, diversify the variety of student input and perspectives, as well as to increase the exposure of instructors to bigger learning demands and expectations by their learners. As a result, virtual instructors today need to develop and enhance their teaching strategies and methodologies in order to meet the growing needs of today’s online learning. No longer are instructors focusing on teaching just local learners, but they must also concentrate on teaching students from a variety of international locations.

Finally, this presentation will focus on how one University System has focused on developing its best teaching practices and strategies to help prepare their teaching workforce to meet the challenges of a changing student population in the fields of business administration and management. In addition, this presentation will serve as key topic for participants to consider the changes that current instructors and practitioners need to consider in identifying potential learner needs and brainstorming ideas on how to improve upon their teaching practices and strategies. The key focus of this workshop will focus on identifying needs and creating potential solutions towards meeting the challenges of teaching in today’s virtual learning environment.

Keywords:

Virtual teaching, virtual learning, teacher training, best practices, on-line instruction.