Developing and Teaching an Online Course: Adventures in Cyberspace with Personal Finance Online

Abstract

This abstract was created post-production by the JFI Editorial Board.

Drawing from experience as an online instructor of personal finance and from the experiences of others, the author has presented some suggestions for developing and delivering an online course. As the number of universities offering online courses increases, more professors are likely to be asked to develop and teach an online course. Creating an online course requires many hours of work. Careful planning, patience, attention to detail, creativity, some knowledge of technology, and a desire to teach online are traits that are needed in course development. Compared to traditional classes, online courses put great responsibility on the student for learning. The instructor's role changes as well. Instead of taking center stage, as often occurs in the face-to-face classroom, the professor becomes a guide and facilitator of learning; as Hiltz (1994) put it, the instructor must transform from "sage on the stage" to "resource in the wings." Instead of meeting with students on a set schedule, the online instructor interacts with students throughout the day. The written word assumes greater importance than the spoken word. Despite the time involved in developing and teaching an online course, many professors have found the experience worthwhile and enjoyable--they, like the author, are teaching online and loving it!