How to Be VOCAL Online
Resource Materials:
In this section of the Resources Page you will find reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information that will help you review or extend your knowledge from the presentation.
VOCAL Articles
- Article: Online Instructors: Be VOCAL!
- Article: BE VOCAL: Characteristics of Successful Online Instructors
- Article: How to be a V.O.C.A.L. Online Teacher – Savery’s characteristics of successful online instructors – VOCAL
- OK2Ask Twitter Chat Archive: Tools and Resources to be VOCAL Online
In-the-Classroom:
Our In-the-Classroom section is where you will find ideas and examples on how to integrate the tools shared into classroom instruction.
Visible
- Establish a presence in the course.
- Create an introduction video for the course.
- Interact and communicate with students.
- Instructors communicate that the students’ work and participation are valued.
Organized
- Provide structure.
- Use the features of your LMS.
- Communicate the organizational structure of the course.
- Transparency fosters more class participation.
Compassionate
- Student-instructor and student-student interaction.
- Must foster a social component in the course.
- Use culturally responsive techniques to build a supportive and open online learning environment.
- Build a classroom community.
- Edutopia: Compassion as a Classroom Management Tool
Analytical
- Provide clear expectations and guidelines.
- Offer timely feedback.
- Collect and interpret data.
Leader-by-Example
- The instructor models participation.
- The instructor is visible to the students.
- Article: The Importance of Leading by Example
Each VOCAL component contributes to a positive teaching experience for the instructor and a successful learning experience for the student. The ability of the teacher to effectively infuse these characteristics into their instructional practice- to be VOCAL- will promote a supportive, challenging, constructive, rigorous, and practical instructional environment.
VOCAL Tools:
The VOCAL Tools section is where you will find tech tools to support the VOCAL categories.
Return to Session Home Page.