Introduction
Online teaching is the process of educating others via an internet-based learning environment using a variety of digital tools. At UCLA Extension, online learning is facilitated by instructors with years of professional experience in their fields.
Instructional Methods
Online courses at UCLA Extension are offered in three main formats:
Online
Course content is delivered weekly through the online learning platform Canvas, where students can engage with the course materials and activities at their own pace and time.
Assignments are due regularly, but there are no required class meetings. Optional office hours are made available via the web conferencing tool Zoom. This is a flexible learning format that allows students to access course content anywhere, anytime, on their own schedule.
Remote
All class meetings are scheduled and held in real-time using the web conferencing tool Zoom, allowing for live interaction between instructors and students. Course materials can be accessed any time through the online learning platform Canvas.
Hybrid
A blend of remote and online instruction, this learning format features some scheduled, live class meetings using the web conferencing tool Zoom and some pre-recorded instruction, activities, discussion boards, or other course materials accessible through the online learning platform Canvas where students can connect with their instructor and classmates.
UCLA Extension Support
In close collaboration with program departments, UCLA Extension’s Academic Technology and Learning Innovation (ATLI) team supports online instructors through every stage of the teaching experience:
- Canvas Course Development (CCD) Training: New online instructors are enrolled in the CCD training program, which is facilitated by our instructional designers. CCD training is designed to help instructors gain confidence in using the learning platform Canvas and exercise best practices as they build their courses online.
- Ongoing Support: ATLI provides phone and email support to all instructors and departments to troubleshoot technical issues, provide Canvas feature and integration support, provide production support and training for instructors looking to incorporate digital media into their courses, and answer any questions related to course design and development.
- Live Support Sessions: Live support sessions for Canvas, Zoom, and Panopto are offered every week, excluding weekends and holidays. Learn more via the Join a Live Support Session guide.
- Instructor Development Program (IDP): Instructors joining UCLA Extension can take additional courses and participate in professional development workshops, such as the Instructor Round Table workshop. Learn more via the Join Workshops and Training Opportunities guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
To reveal answers to some commonly asked questions, click the tabs below.
What is the instructor’s role in an online course?
The role of an instructor in an online course is multi-layered. To encourage successful interaction, instructors are expected to:
- Clearly communicate course expectations and requirements.
- Facilitate the course materials and course activities.
- Engage students in online conversations to deepen learning.
- Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning and connect ideas.
- Provide activities that allow students to collaborate with one another and transfer knowledge.
- Actively respond to student questions or concerns.
- Grade students weekly in a timely and consistent fashion.
How is online teaching different from traditional classroom teaching?
Online teaching allows for more flexibility of time for both students and instructors. Providing opportunities for communication and engagement is just as critical in the online class as it is in the traditional classroom.
Developing the online course requires a different kind of attention to how the course is designed, how the instructional materials are presented to the students, the substance and frequency of communications between students and with the instructor, and how activities and assignments are aligned with the course objectives and learning outcomes.
With online courses, students who might ordinarily be “quiet” or sit in the back of the class may feel more comfortable contributing, and likewise, be more engaged because they have the opportunity to think through their responses before submitting them.
Online courses also include features for how assignment submissions can be received—as text documents, linked files, and media recordings (like video or audio clips). This provides online instructors with a range of options for imaginative and creative assignments, designed to engage students in a variety of ways.
Do I need to be a computer expert?
You should have a basic foundation in digital and information literacy. Penn State University’s website provides a useful online assessment for instructors (or faculty) to check their readiness for teaching online.
UCLA Extension’s ATLI team provides new instructors with training and professional development opportunities for learning about educational technologies and how they can be used for instruction. Learn more via the Join Workshops and Training Opportunities guide.
How long does it take to build a course?
Course development time is difficult to estimate since it is impacted by many factors. If you are building a completely new course, it can take four to five months on average to plan your outcomes, devise assessments, and assemble/create your course materials. ATLI instructional designers can meet and work with you to figure out what can be accomplished in time for your class, and provide assistance in helping you design and develop your course.
How can I tell if my course is designed appropriately?
Course design starts with clear objectives and outcomes. Objectives define your course goals while learning outcomes provide specific and measurable ways that students can show they have met those goals. Learn more via the Craft Meaningful Objectives and Outcomes guide.
It's important to consider the amount of time and materials dedicated to student learning on a weekly basis when planning your course. Learn more via the Calculate Instructional Time and Student Work Time.
From here, you can create course materials, activities, and assessments that allow students to demonstrate that they have achieved desired outcomes. Using a Design Document (or course blueprint) can help you map out the course experience and align activities to specific course outcomes.
Learner-Centered Approach
When it comes to course design, we recommend taking a learner-centered approach when designing your course. A learner-centered approach engages learners as active participants in their own learning. Each learner brings their own unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and aspirations to the classroom — this impacts how they acquire new information and learn. When designing your course, ask yourself:
- What activities will foster collaboration amongst students?
- What activities will engage students to use a combination of skill sets, including researching, developing, and presenting content/media?
- Are there opportunities for students to share their own unique experiences and ideas, to actively support one another in the learning process?
- Are there opportunities for students to individually and collectively reflect on what they have learned?
You can also review the following resources when designing your course:
- Explore Best Strategies for Teaching Adult Learners
- Explore Active Learning Strategies and Techniques
- Use the Flipped Classroom Approach
How much time do I need to spend in my course?
The time spent teaching an online course will vary. However, you should plan to check into the course periodically each week during the quarter. You should respond to student messages within 48 hours. As a best practice, you should also plan to actively participate in course discussion boards throughout each week. Basically, students should have touch points with you each week.
How do I "lecture" online?
There are multiple approaches to instructing students in an online course. You can provide narrated presentations, lecture videos, or multimedia lecture content directly in the learning platform Canvas for students to access.
You are encouraged to create video lectures using Panopto where visual aids (e.g., presentation slides, video clips, etc.) can be presented simultaneously with webcam media. Unlike in-person lectures, video lectures should be short (around 7 minutes) and highly focused. Explore the Different Types of Videos that can be created.
The ATLI team provides ongoing production support and training for instructors looking to incorporate digital media into their courses.
How do I record audio and video content?
While there are several tools available to create audio and video content, at UCLA Extension we recommend using Panopto, a video hosting and recording software integrated directly into your Canvas course.
Using Panopto is an easy and effective way to enrich your course content from anywhere. Learn more via the Record Course Video Content Using Panopto guide.
Can I conduct a live session?
If you are teaching a Remote or Hybrid course, you can use the web conferencing tool Zoom to hold real-time, online sessions with students. Zoom is integrated directly into your Canvas course for use.
Learn more via the Setup and Activate Your UCLA Zoom Account guide.
What can I do to add a more personal presence to my course?
The degree to which students in an online course feel connected to one another, to their instructor, and to the course content can impact their satisfaction and success in the course. Establishing a sense of connection (or presence) is an important aspect of effective online teaching.
Learn strategies for establishing a sense of connection via the Create a Sense of Presence Online guide.
How do I collect assignments?
Assignments are submitted for your evaluation and feedback through Canvas, our learning platform. You can use the Gradebook in Canvas to enter assignment grades, view the overall progress for individual students as well as the entire class, and provide feedback or comments on individual assignment submissions and discussion board posts.
Learn more via the Create an Assignment in Canvas guide.
How do I conduct exams?
Canvas includes features for developing and administering online quizzes and surveys, both of which can be set up as graded or ungraded. Canvas Quizzes provides options for multiple choice, true/false, matching, and open-ended responses, and quizzes can be further customized to suit your teaching style. Your program department may have additional information about examination requirements if applicable.
Learn more via the Create a Quiz or Survey in Canvas guide.