In the online learning space, the absence of a physical “classroom” is noticeable. So, I work to create a virtual classroom space where I deliver lectures that result in clean content that look great on the e-learning platforms. On the right, you can see a timelapse of my process turning a spare room in my home to the at-home studio that becomes my virtual classroom space. I utilize this studio for all of my online courses. Here, I record lectures & soundbites that I then take to my editing office to refine all of the lectures and build my online courses.

In all of my online courses, I make sure to have various modules that break up the weeks lessons into easily digestible chunks. Most of my online students in the past have preferred asynchronous learning as they are working professionals and can’t always sit for a 60+ minute video or lecture. So, I work to have my modules include 1-4 videos that are usually 10-15 minutes in length which allows my students to watch a video at any time without stress. I also provide the slides & notes from each video at the bottom of the module page. This allows students an alternative method to trying to pause a video and read the slide that pops up. My hope is that it makes it easier for them to follow along.

In addition to videos, slides, and notes, I often include either supplemental or required readings that will hopefully provide a well-rounded experience that would also be experienced with a traditional in-person class. Below is a video from the module example on the left. As you will see, I try to make these lectures engaging, entertaining, and visual through various b-roll, clear and concise slides, and speaking directly to camera so students will feel I am talking with them.

In my creative courses that have involved the facilitating the use of software, such as those in Adobe Creative Cloud, I like to provide students with practice files and thorough tutorials that help them develop the essentials. This video is an example of where I am introducing a new program that the class will be working in for the next few weeks. I like to start every software walkthrough with starting from blank slate; this allows everyone (from beginner to expert) to have all the tools they need to move through the course.

When I teach traditional in-person classes, I work to foster class engagement through encouraging questions, discussion, breakouts, and much more. In some online courses, engagement can feel absent or lackluster. So, I work hard to make sure that there is as much relevant engagement as I can fit in the course through weekly discussions, weekly office hours, group project components, and more. I never want my students to feel as though they are alone in the course and never get to know their peers; they deserve the same quality experience as a student who is on campus.