Enhancing Online Instruction in Higher Education: Professional Development Strategies That Work
Abstract: The education landscape at all levels is changing at a dramatic rate due to the influx and ongoing expansion of technology. Professors in higher education are faced with the challenge of not only incorporating technology into their courses, but utilizing effective instructional practices that blend technology and content to maximize learning. This article identifies various professional development strategies that have been used to establish a meaningful technology training program for professors in higher education. It also highlights the qualities of an effective online instructor that equips professors with the knowledge and skills necessary to strategically integrate technology into their teaching. The strategies and techniques discussed have had positive results with professors significantly enriching the delivery of content to make it interesting, interactive, and meaningful, while encouraging students in their classes to interact, collaborate, create, and communicate more effectively.