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10 Effective Practices Checklist

Below is a list of effective practices for online teaching and learning, especially in asynchronous or blended higher education environments, but many apply across all modes.
Make a copy of this Online Teaching Effectiveness Checklist for your own use.

1. Clear Course Design

  • Use a consistent structure: Organize your course in weekly modules with a predictable format (e.g., overview → content → activities → assessments).

  • Provide a welcome message or video: Set the tone and expectations.

  • Make navigation intuitive: Use descriptive labels, headings, and menus.

2. Establish Instructor Presence

  • Be visibly active: Send weekly announcements, participate in discussions, provide regular updates.

  • Use multimedia: Share short videos or audio messages to explain concepts or provide encouragement.

  • Share a bit of yourself: A personal introduction or story helps humanize the experience.

3. Foster Student Engagement

  • Use discussion forums effectively: Prompt critical thinking, require meaningful replies, and moderate actively.

  • Incorporate interactive tools: Use tools like Padlet, Flip, H5P, or collaborative documents.

  • Offer live or optional synchronous sessions: For Q&A, guest speakers, or review.

4. Communicate Expectations Clearly

  • Be explicit about due dates, grading, participation, and netiquette.

  • Use rubrics and checklists: Clarify what quality work looks like.

  • Give quick responses to questions: Set and honor turnaround times for email or forum responses.

5. Provide Timely and Meaningful Feedback

  • Use video or audio feedback when possible—it’s more personal and clear.

  • Be specific and actionable: Highlight strengths and areas to improve.

  • Offer low-stakes assessments early to give students feedback without high pressure.

6. Support Diverse Learning Needs

  • Offer content in multiple formats: Text, video, audio, transcripts, etc.

  • Provide flexibility: Allow grace periods or multiple formats of submission when possible.

  • Use Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Encourage multiple means of engagement and expression.

7. Promote Community and Collaboration

  • Encourage peer interaction: Group projects, peer review, or informal social spaces.

  • Create icebreaker activities: Especially early in the course to build comfort.

  • Model inclusive and respectful communication.

8. Leverage Technology Wisely

  • Use your LMS tools effectively: Quizzes, forums, gradebook, analytics, etc.

  • Avoid overloading students with tools: Choose a few, well-integrated technologies.

  • Ensure accessibility: Test videos, documents, and links.

9. Monitor Engagement and Provide Nudges

  • Track participation: Use Moodle analytics or completion tracking.

  • Reach out to inactive students: A personal message can make a difference.

  • Provide mid-course surveys: Ask what’s working and adapt.

10. Reflect and Improve

  • Collect feedback: Use end-of-course evaluations and informal check-ins.

  • Adapt future versions: Adjust based on student feedback and outcomes.

  • Engage in professional development: Stay current with online pedagogy.

See Clarkson Moodle Best Practices for detailed information on minimum requirements for using Moodle.

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