Teaching online without the benefit of face-to-face interaction has many challenges. However, over the years of teaching in the classroom and online both at the graduate and undergraduate level, the author has found some very simple strategies (often overlooked) that can greatly increase student satisfaction with online delivery almost to the level of good face-to-face instruction. This session will enumerate (and demonstrate) several of these extremely simple proven strategies, that, when enthusiastically executed, can vastly improve online connectivity and dialogue with students. If these “KISS” strategies are added to an online adjunct’s toolbox, higher satisfaction and better teaching and learning could result.

1. 1
1/19/2016
NEFDC – CAE Conference: May 29, 2015
“Collaborations for Empowerment & Learning”
Frank J. Monaco
@ProfessorMonaco
KISS: Proven Strategies to
Stay Connected with Online
Students!

2. 2
1/19/2016
• Teaching online without the benefit of face-to-face
interaction has many challenges.
• However, over the years of teaching in the classroom and
online both at the graduate and undergraduate level, the
author has found some very simple strategies (often
overlooked) that can greatly increase student satisfaction
with online delivery almost to the level of good face-to-
face instruction.
• This session will enumerate (and demonstrate) several of
these extremely simple proven strategies, that, when
enthusiastically executed, can vastly improve online
connectivity and dialogue with students.
• If these “KISS” strategies are added to an online
adjunct’s toolbox, higher satisfaction and better teaching
and learning could result.
Abstract

3. 3
1/19/2016
• I am a retired US Army Colonel who has been involved with
leading Information Technology Teams for a very long time.
• I have been the Chief Information Officer at two major US
Universities (the United States Military Academy at West Point,
NY and Pace University, NY) and have led I.T. Teams during
numerous Military Assignments.
• I have taught Computer Science at West Point as well as for the
University of Maryland (MD) and Jefferson Community College
(NY) (face to face).
• I am now an IT Consultant and teach online for the University of
Maryland University College (Graduate Cyber Security) and
Charter Oak State College, CT (Computer Science, Information
Technology Leadership, and Cybersecurity).
• I can be reached @ProfessorMonaco.
Colonel (US Army, Retired) Frank J. Monaco

4. 4
1/19/2016
KISS: Proven Strategies to Stay
Connected with Online Students
• KISS #1 - Immediate Response to Student Inquiries
• KISS #2 - Use Social Media, A/V and Some Synchronous Tools
• KISS #3 - Prepare in Advance: Everything
• KISS #4 - Personal Reflections – Review and Introduce SLOs
• KISS #5 – Grade Early and Often
• KISS #6 – Use “Test” TurnItIn
• KISS #7 – Personal Introduction/Café Discussion Boards
• KISS #8 - Consider a Group/Team Project
• KISS #9 – Check and Double Check All Online Content
• KISS #10 – Verify Versions

5. 5
1/19/2016
KISS #1 - Immediate Response to Student Inquiries
• “If you don’t hear from me within 24 hours, assume
that I am dead and call the Dean”.
• Encourage contact outside the LMS – email or call
for personal issues.
• Stay connected via mobile internet. Be serious about
this!
• Check “Questions for the Instructor” Discussion
Forum twice daily.
• Create a folder for all student inquiries
• Evernote
• Dropbox
• Email
• Follow up!

6. 6
1/19/2016
KISS #2 - Use of Social Media (Twitter, LinkedIn)
• Publish official and unofficial contact information –
Twitter DMs and “follows” effective, as well as
#hashtags for sections
• Use of Skype, Webex, Facetime, BlueJeans, ooVoo
etc. on a regular basis
• At course conclusion, LinkedIn connections possible
• Offer to write letters of recommendation (check
University/School Policy)

7. 7
1/19/2016
• Label scheme – important: e.g., #7.3 Thursday, 5 March 2015
(Thursday of Week 7) - convention #Week.Number of the
Announcement for that Week
• Schedule release on a routine basis: e.g., Mondays and
Wednesdays.
• Include quick-links
• Announcements should
• Recap work done
• “set the stage” for new weekly activity
• Remind students of ongoing and new assignments
• Remind students how to contact instructor
• Set up “0” week(s) before course formal start
• #Last Announcement – remind of post-course instructor support
KISS #3 - Prepare in Advance:
News/Announcements (and Always Improve!)

8. 8
1/19/2016
• Each week, review the last
week’s SLOs
• Introduce new SLOs for
current week
• Personalize feedback!
KISS #4 - Personal Reflections –
Review and Introduce SLOs

9. 9
1/19/2016
• Grade Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday
• Be consistent
• Use rubrics
• Use tools like “Jumpcut” to copy/paste
comments
• Personalize feedback but derive from rubrics
– use first names on all feedback!
KISS #5 – Grade Early and Often

10. 10
1/19/2016
KISS #6 – Use Test TurnItIn
• Set Up a “test submission” for
Assignments requiring Turn It In.
• Not graded; get students familiar with the
system before they need it.

11. 11
1/19/2016
KISS # 7 – Personal Introduction / Café
Discussion Boards/Forums
• Personal Introduction Discussion Boards
• Encourage Use!
• Provide Examples (Instructor Bio, picture, etc.)
• Reply and Welcome everybody!
• Café Discussions Boards/Forums
• Encourage Use (topics relating to the Course)
• Instructor acknowledgement and followup

12. 12
1/19/2016
KISS #8 - Consider a Group/Team Project
• Extremely beneficial
• Should be mandatory at the Graduate
Level
• Provide Team Project Hints and join in
Synchronous conferences if asked

13. 13
1/19/2016
KISS #9 – Check and Double Check all
Content
• Avoid Confusion at all costs
• Links change often
• LMS functionality changes often
• Extremely important to view course
“as a learner”

14. 14
1/19/2016
KISS #10 – Verify Versions
• New Edition – new lectures
• New Edition – new quizzes, exams
• Master Shell may have changed
since last time taught –
• Verify
• Verify again!

15. 15
1/19/2016
KISS: Proven Strategies to Stay
Connected with Online Students
• KISS #1 - Immediate Response to Student Inquiries
• KISS #2 - Use Social Media, A/V and Some Synchronous Tools
• KISS #3 - Prepare in Advance: Everything
• KISS #4 - Personal Reflections – Review and Introduce SLOs
• KISS #5 – Grade Early and Often
• KISS #6 – Use “Test” TurnItIn
• KISS #7 – Personal Introduction/Café Discussion Boards
• KISS #8 - Consider a Group/Team Project
• KISS #9 – Check and Double Check All Online Content
• KISS #10 – Verify Versions

16. 16
1/19/2016
NEFDC – CAE Conference: May 29, 2015
“Collaborations for Empowerment & Learning”
Frank J. Monaco
@ProfessorMonaco
KISS: Proven Strategies to
Stay Connected with Online
Students!