Fostering Connections in Online Teaching
Jacob Rivers taught in a 100% asynchronous instructional method for the first time. Using the resources at the Center for Teaching Excellence and support from CTE Instructional Designer, Gloria Washington, he designed, developed, and taught ENGL 101. When Washington first met with Rivers in a consultation for transitioning his ENGL 101 face-to-face course to a fully online format, he was hesitant about teaching online. Rivers enjoyed teaching face-to-face and felt he might lose his special connection with his students. Rivers and Washington met at least once a week through the entire design, development, and delivery process. With the design and development of ENGL 101, Rivers made sure that his course was as engaging and rigorous as his face-to-face version of the same course.