Online classes can follow the seven principles suggested by Chickering and Gamson (1987). In an article by Graham, et al. (2001) , suggestions of how to accomplish each of the seven principles in online classes are given resulting, in a list of “lessons learned”.
| Principle 1: Encourages Student-Faculty Contact Lesson for online instruction: Instructors should provide clear guidelines for interaction with students.
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| Principle 2: Encourages Cooperation Among Students Lesson for online instruction: Well-designed discussion assignments facilitate meaningful cooperation among students.
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| Principle 3: Encourages Active Learning Lesson for online instruction: Students should present course projects.
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| Principle 4: Gives Prompt Feedback Lesson for online instruction: Instructors need to provide two types of feedback: information feedback and acknowledgment feedback
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| Principle 5: Emphasizes Time on Task Lesson for online instruction: Online courses need deadlines.
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| Principle 6: Communicates High Expectations Lesson for online instruction: Challenging tasks, sample cases, and praise for quality work communicate high expectations.
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| Principle 7: Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning Lesson for online instruction: Allowing students to choose project topics incorporates diverse views into online courses.
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Additional resource
Principles of best practices in online undergraduate teaching