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Principles of Quality Principles of Quality Instruction in Web ClassesInstruction in Web Classes

George Kontos, Ed.D.George Kontos, Ed.D.

Assistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

george.kontos@wku.edugeorge.kontos@wku.edu

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BackgroundBackground The Seven Principles of Good The Seven Principles of Good

Practice in Undergraduate Practice in Undergraduate Education were developed by Education were developed by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson. Gamson.

These principles first appeared in These principles first appeared in the American Association for the American Association for Higher Education (AAHE) Bulletin Higher Education (AAHE) Bulletin (Chickering and Gamson, 1987). (Chickering and Gamson, 1987).

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The Seven Principles of Good Practice in The Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate EducationUndergraduate Education

Chickering and Gamson (1987) concluded that Chickering and Gamson (1987) concluded that good practice in undergraduate education:good practice in undergraduate education:

1.1. Encourages contact between students and faculty,Encourages contact between students and faculty,2.2. Encourages cooperation among students,Encourages cooperation among students,3.3. Encourages active learning,Encourages active learning,4.4. Gives prompt feedback,Gives prompt feedback,5.5. Emphasizes time on task,Emphasizes time on task,6.6. Communicates high expectations, andCommunicates high expectations, and7.7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning.Respects diverse talents and ways of learning.

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The Seven Principles of Good Practice The Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Educationin Undergraduate Education

These principles were initially conceived for face-These principles were initially conceived for face-to-face instructionto-face instruction

Later they were implemented for technology-Later they were implemented for technology-based teaching in Chickering and Ehrmann’s based teaching in Chickering and Ehrmann’s paper (Chickering and Ehrmann, 1996). paper (Chickering and Ehrmann, 1996).

Others have tried to apply the principles in online Others have tried to apply the principles in online teaching.teaching.

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Principle 1Principle 1Contact Between Students and Contact Between Students and

Faculty is EncouragedFaculty is Encouraged

General Benefits:General Benefits: Interest in the subject matter is stimulatedInterest in the subject matter is stimulatedMotivation to fight back and keep on Motivation to fight back and keep on

working when going through rough times working when going through rough times is enhancedis enhanced

Planning for the future is encouraged Planning for the future is encouraged

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Principle 2Principle 2Cooperation Among Students is Cooperation Among Students is

EncouragedEncouraged

General Benefits:General Benefits:Learning is enhanced by team effortLearning is enhanced by team effort Involvement when learning with others is Involvement when learning with others is

increasedincreasedCritical thinking is enhanced when sharing Critical thinking is enhanced when sharing

ideas with othersideas with others

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Principle 3Principle 3Active Learning is EncouragedActive Learning is Encouraged

General Benefits:General Benefits:Learning is more lasting when it is active Learning is more lasting when it is active

learninglearningLearning becomes part of the learner Learning becomes part of the learner

when it is dynamic rather than passivewhen it is dynamic rather than passive

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Principle 4Principle 4Prompt Feedback is GivenPrompt Feedback is Given

General Benefits:General Benefits:Learning is focused when timely feedback Learning is focused when timely feedback

is givenis givenLearning is improved when learners are Learning is improved when learners are

told what their weak points are and this is told what their weak points are and this is done without delaydone without delay

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Principle 5Principle 5Time on Task is EncouragedTime on Task is Encouraged

General Benefits:General Benefits:Learning is effective when time on Learning is effective when time on

task is emphasizedtask is emphasizedEffective time management is crucial Effective time management is crucial

for students and professionals alikefor students and professionals alike

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Principle 6Principle 6High Expectations are High Expectations are

CommunicatedCommunicated

General Benefits:General Benefits:High expectations usually translate High expectations usually translate

into high achievementsinto high achievementsKeeping high standards is rewarding Keeping high standards is rewarding

for both teacher and learnersfor both teacher and learners

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Principle 7Principle 7Diverse Talents and Ways of Diverse Talents and Ways of

Learning Are RespectedLearning Are Respected

General Benefits:General Benefits: Incorporating various learning styles in the Incorporating various learning styles in the

classroom facilitates learningclassroom facilitates learningRecognizing and respecting that there is Recognizing and respecting that there is

more than one way to learn is appreciated more than one way to learn is appreciated and brings desirable resultsand brings desirable results

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An ExampleAn Example

An Undergraduate Online Course Taught An Undergraduate Online Course Taught With the Seven Principles in Mind:With the Seven Principles in Mind:

BT 180C BT 180C

Introduction to Computer SystemsIntroduction to Computer Systems

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BT 180CBT 180CIntroduction to Computer SystemsIntroduction to Computer Systems Developed in Spring 2003 by George Kontos Developed in Spring 2003 by George Kontos

and Linda Todd of Bowling Green Community and Linda Todd of Bowling Green Community College, Western Kentucky UniversityCollege, Western Kentucky University

A Blackboard CourseA Blackboard Course

First Time Taught by Todd: Summer 2003First Time Taught by Todd: Summer 2003

Then, Being Taught by Kontos, almost Then, Being Taught by Kontos, almost every semesterevery semester

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BT 180CBT 180CIntroduction to Computer SystemsIntroduction to Computer Systems

Concepts (Computer Terminology)Concepts (Computer Terminology) Practice (Lab Activities)Practice (Lab Activities) HistoryHistory The Internet and the WebThe Internet and the Web Ethical IssuesEthical Issues Operating SystemsOperating Systems

- Microsoft Windows, Unix, Linux, Mac OS, etc.- Microsoft Windows, Unix, Linux, Mac OS, etc. Applications SoftwareApplications Software

- Microsoft Office, etc.Microsoft Office, etc.

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BT 180C and the Seven Principles

Principle Principle Web Implementation

1 Contact Between Students and Faculty is Encouraged

• Orientation session (by phone or in person)

• Student Information Form• Email (with meaningful Subject

lines)• Threaded discussions

(Discussion Board activities)• Response time policy posted

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BT 180C and the Seven Principles

Principle Principle Online Course Implementation:

2 Cooperation Among Students is Encouraged

• Threaded discussions

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BT 180C and the Seven Principles

Principle Principle Online Course Implementation:

3 Active Learning is Encouraged

• Assignment to summarize a current technology article that made the news

• Assignment to investigate a topic about a technology that is affecting our lives

• A variety of hands-on practice activities

• Threaded discussions

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BT 180C and the Seven Principles

Principle Principle Online Course Implementation:

4 Prompt Feedback is Given

• Prompt email feedback• Web-based tests and quizzes

that provide ample and prompt feedback

• Feedback on assignments is prompt and helpful

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BT 180C and the Seven Principles

Principle Principle Online Course Implementation:

5 Time on Task is Encouraged

• Syllabus that includes clear objectives, assessments, and expectations posted

• Rubrics posted• Day-by-day class calendar

with due dates posted• Late submission of work

discouraged

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BT 180C and the Seven Principles

Principle Principle Online Course Implementation:

6 High Expectations are Communicated

• Orientation session (by phone or in person)

• Student Information Form• Weekly threaded discussions

posted• Excellence encouraged and

expected

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BT 180C and the Seven Principles

Principle Principle Online Course Implementation:

7 Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning Are Respected

• Orientation session (by phone or in person)

• Computer background knowledge survey

• Weekly threaded discussions posted

• Diverse points of view encouraged

• Variety of tools available: Blackboard, textbook, textbook’s companion website, instructor (reachable by phone, email, postal mail, and personal visit)

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Chickering, A. W., & Gamson Z. F. Chickering, A. W., & Gamson Z. F. (1987). Seven principles for good (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. practice in undergraduate education. AAHE BulletinAAHE Bulletin, March 3-7. Retrieved , March 3-7. Retrieved July 1, 2005 from July 1, 2005 from

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/7princip.htm