Winthrop professors participated in two online teaching certification courses to improve their online teaching methods — this comes as a result of the growing need for online classes this school year.
The courses were administered through Blackboard and led by four facilitators.
“I think at the top of the list, providing the training is going to make for the best possible experience for the faculty member as they
are facilitating an online course,” said Kimarie Whetstone, Director of Online Learning and one of the course facilitators.
“For some, they may be facilitating an online course for the first time. For others, they may have had experience teaching before, but the training is designed to make a better experience for the faculty member and to make a better learning experience for the students.”
With approximately 302 faculty members participating, WOTC 101 furthers professors’ understanding of online course design and development basics and WOTC 102 provides knowledge about online course facilitation management.
“In spring of last year, we all got taken kind of by surprise,” said Allan Nail, an associate professor of English education. “I had to kind of scramble and make some decisions that worked for the limited amount of time we had left but really weren’t great options for online instruction. Basically we just met on Zoom and had class like we normally would but that didn’t work very well and partly because it was new to me.”
“I think this faculty recognizes that we never stop learning because things never stop changing, and we need to stay up on our teaching practices as much as possible,” Nail said. “I think I got some really good common sense examples of how to present information in a more organized way,” said. Casey Cothran, an associate professor of English and Department Chair. “I use Blackboard and Turnitin frequently when I teach, but learning about ways to organize a week where you start with an overview of what will happen that week and a brief note about everything that’s due that week and then to go down and make different modules, that was very helpful to me.”
Cothran, who is currently enrolled in WOTC 102, shares her opinion of how Winthrop has helped her throughout the transition from in-person to online.
“I think the fact that they had these classes was excellent,” Cothran said. “I thought the teachers were wonderful. …I am so grateful—they would allow you to call them on the phone and email them at all hours. I think faculty were really struggling to kind of get up to speed — some of us. …They offered multiple sections of the courses, all over the spring, the summer, and the fall. Like the fact that I’m still in mine, that’s okay and they’re working with me. I’m very grateful for all of that.”
“The format or the mode of instruction is often as important as the content that if we aren’t delivering it effectively, it won’t make much of a difference whether students learn or not,” Nail said. “I’ve been surprised at how well I have been able to transfer the in-class version to the online version and I’ve been able to use technology to kind of assist with that.”
“We often provide ongoing support so our relationship with the faculty doesn’t end after WOTC ends,” Whetstone said. “We strive to continue that relationship to offer ongoing training, technical support, and even just ideas or strategies for online teaching and learning.”
The courses are not only meant to benefit professors’ proficiency in online teaching methods but are also meant to enhance the online learning experience for students.
“I have noticed some improvements on online and hybrid classes,” said Gabby Boyd, a sophomore chemistry major and biochemistry concentration pre-med. “This semester they are more structured. Most of
my professors have fairly strict due dates whereas online classes in the past didn’t. Which helps me keep my assignments more in order.”
Senior English major and humanities minor Sam Hyatt shares her thoughts on how professors can improve their online classes this semester.
“I wish there was more communication from my professors to their students,” Hyatt said. “It feels very isolating and is hard to form important relationships that could be significant in the future.”
Whetstone explain the effect Winthrop hopes to have through these courses.
“What we do in online learning offerings at Winthrop, we want to be sure that we offer students the same experience that they have in the traditional format,” Whetstone said. “We want students to be able to expect the same high caliber of
quality education, whether it’s again in traditional format or online. … Winthrop’s faculty have embraced WOTC overall. …They are committed to ensuring the best possible experience and quality education for our students no matter the delivery
method.”
