I see lots of takes on online learning. Here's mine, FWIW. When I started teaching online, I was concerned that it would not be as rigorous and meaningful as classroom teaching. As I got deeper into it, I ended up being quite humbled. /1

I learned that much of my face-to-face pedagogy revolved around the fact that I am a pretty good, entertaining lecturer. Students almost always love my classes. The time passes quickly. I work hard to present information clearly. They learn. /2

Online, that doesn't work. They can't just show up, sit down, and learn from me. Instead, they have to learn more of the material by reading texts. You can skip the reading in a face-to-face gen ed history class and still follow the lecture. Online, you have to do the work. /3

One semester I taught the same class (US II) in a face-to-face and an online format. When I read the final assignments, I braced myself for what I was sure would be a mess. Instead, the online class outperformed the face-to-face class. /4

They had done more reading and thinking during the semester. As a result, their final projects were better, more sophisticated, more thoughtful. I was truly surprised and humbled. Please note, both my face-to-face and online classes include lots of discussion. /5

Emergency remote instruction is not the same as a course planned and developed to be online. And not all student populations are well suited for online learning. Not all faculty are a good fit for it either, if we are honest. /6

I've been through Quality Matters training, which was helpful. But most of the principles are the same as those veteran classroom teachers will already have picked up over the years. Online, be clear. Really clear. /7

Develop explicit assignments, keeping in mind students won't have you there to explain them in the usual way. Record short screencasts explaining the instructions. Make sure you seem approachable and have a strong "presence," in whatever way works for you. /8

Your goals are mostly the same as they are in your face-to-face classroom, though, so you are going to do a great job. You are sharing your love of the subject with them! Online you can show them video clips and museum exhibits and maps. /9

They will respond to your enthusiasm and excitement for the subject. You are already a great professor and now you will be working with them in a new way. You may find your shy students speak up online and that students share more personal thoughts. /10

The same way that we can form real friendships with people we've never met in "real life," students can have real educational experiences online if we are open to it. In any case, best of luck to all, however this year turns out. /11