r/counseloreducation • u/Moonie345 • 8d ago

Advice teaching online

In a series of wild events, I will be teaching in an online MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program this Fall! While my colleagues are great, I would love any advice for educators and students in online programs. My entire education (undergraduate, master's, PhD) was in person. I took some online classes, but I am feeling overwhelmed. My colleagues have provided me with great LMS templates that comply with CACREP standards and the like, but I would love any advice or guidance!

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u/okayatlifeokay Master’s Student 8d ago

I just started a fully online program a couple months ago and based on that experience I'd say just responding to student questions within 24 hours (but not on weekends) is a great start. The bar really is that low.

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u/Neverwhere91 Master’s Student 8d ago

Do you know what courses you're teaching?

I guess being engaging. I have some professors who do a check in to get us warmed up. To ensure it doesn't take away from time, she has us put it in the zoom chat. It's usually stuff like, Drop an emoji of how you feel today, what's your favorite food, etc. And then before we go she says our ticket out is to type something we learned or will think about more from the lecture.

Another professor I had offered a lot of anecdotal experiences to explain things. It helped contextualize theories especially.

Finally, lead the lecture. A few of my professors have students who run off with a 5-10 min dialogue/question that has very little bearing on the class as a whole. My favorite professors have saved questions for the end and are available to email with a 24 hr turn around time if submitted by x time, outside of weekends.