Share Paper: Observations of a Reluctant Online Professor: How I Survived the Switch to E-Learning

1. David Dietrich, The University of Tennessee at Martin, United States

Abstract: This Best Practices session described the issues involved in making the transition from a traditional face-to-face teaching format to e-learning. Many educators believe that e-learning is incapable of meeting the needs of today’s students. Others fear the use of new technology. Still others prefer the personal interaction afforded by the traditional classroom experience. The allure of face-to-face interaction remains strong, biasing some educators against attempting to teach electronically. The presenter described his personal and professional reactions to making this switch and addressed several topics relevant to instructors new to e-learning including: learning the Blackboard platform; properly organizing your course; instructor’s ...