Surviving the “Online” Jungle Sandra Byrd, CPA, PhD Emeritus Professor Missouri State University 17th Annual Accounting Educators’ Seminar March 2, 2018

In today’s academic environment there is a great deal of pressure to teach online classes Why? Do you feel you have been pushed out into a jungle with no survival equipment?

Today we will discuss how you can not only survive but even enjoy teaching an online class We will look at 7 specific areas: Planning for the course Course Development Presentation methods Technology Faculty’s role Student’s role Assessment and academic integrity This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Planning for the course When do you start planning? A week before classes start? You will feel better if you start planning for an online class in the previous semester—the sooner the better! You need to be ready to communicate with online students your plans as soon as possible because they will be e-mailing you

Course Development What are your expected learning outcomes in your seated classes? They should be the SAME in your online class--no differences Develop your semester’s assignment sheet for online classes BEFORE classes begin Difference—Do you provide assignments at the end of the class period after you see how far you have progressed? Flexibility is needed for online classes Why?

Course Development Are undergraduate Accounting Classes the same as a Management class or Graduate Accounting classes? Do we have online communities? Large/small group experiences? Are Discussion Boards necessary? Anonymous? Check your online faculty evaluations

Presentation methods Lecture Mixed with showing how to work problems Flip the classroom Chalk/Marker Board—for faculty and students Power Points—self-made versus publisher made Games

Technology Great new things are available: Algorithmic homework Videos (homework assistance, the real world, publisher prepared lectures, etc.) Adaptive learning aids Down loadable e-texts that will even read to the student

Faculty’s role? Determine what knowledge students need to know about a topic within specific courses Disseminate this knowledge to students Be a facilitator to encourage students to learn this material Be a clerk disseminating what someone else has determined is important What do you think?

Students’ role To be highly motivated tech savvy learners Are they? Take an active role in their learning Make choices and take actions to lead toward their educational goals Do their homework, attend class and know when they have exams

Assessment and Academic Integrity Hats, water bottles, hollowed out erasers… Online help: Handcent app, PHOTOMATH.com, online professors, etc. Shliftm Pocket Test Exam Cheating App (YouTube) for Multiple-choice—never have to take phone out of pocket Extra phones—one up front other with them Can we stop it?

Assessment and Academic Integrity I have not seen any difference in online and seated classes Do not let a few cheaters hurt your perspective. Many studies show very few students actually cheat I used algorithmic questions and pooled questions so every assessment was similar but different Do NOT put to much emphasis (points) on any one type of assignment—homework, quizzes or exams

Hopefully now you see a friendlier jungle Questions and Comments Hopefully now you see a friendlier jungle My e-mail address is: SandraByrd@MissouriState.edu