50 Tips for Online Nurse Educators To Start Your School Year Right

My sister sent me a link to a blog post entitled, 99 Study Tips To Start Your School Year Right, written by Natalie Gale earlier this week and it inspired me to write a blog post with similar tips for online nurse educators to have a successful semester. Check out the tips I came up with in today's blog post. 

This post by Natalie Gale includes some great tips I would encourage you to share with your students. I shared it with both my freshmen and senior students and even my colleagues to share with their students as well. I really love the categories it includes such as getting organized and even some self-care tips. I thought that a similar list would be great for online educators so here's what I came up with:

Get Organized

1. Set up your digital workspace: Create a designated area for teaching, free from distractions, and equipped with all necessary tools.
2. Plan your semester: Outline the semester's key dates and assignments in a shared calendar for students.
3. Use a learning management system (LMS): Ensure your course materials, assignments, and grades are organized and easily accessible for students.
4. Create a consistent schedule: Designate times for course prep, communicating with students, office hours, and grading to maintain structure. Don't forget The Productive Online Nurse Educator Membership is a great resource for this!
5. Automate repetitive tasks: Use features like auto-grading for quizzes or scheduled announcements in your LMS to save time.

In the Virtual Classroom

6. Prepare your tech: Test your internet connection, camera, and microphone before each use; check all links in your course.

7. Engage students early: Consider starting each module with an icebreaker or including a fun activity to keep students engaged.

8. Use multimedia: Incorporate videos, slides, and interactive elements to keep students engaged.

9. Encourage participation: Ask open-ended questions in discussion board assignments, use interactive tools like VoiceThread for discussions, and encourage students to respond to colleagues regularly.

10. Record lessons: Make recordings of lectures, overview videos or tutorials available for students.

Communicate Effectively

11. Be clear and concise: Keep instructions simple and avoid overwhelming students with information.

12. Regularly update students: Send weekly announcements summarizing what’s coming up and what’s expected- be sure to check out the recent Masterclass published on this topic.

13. Set communication boundaries: Let students know when you're available for questions and when you'll respond to emails.

14. Use video feedback: Consider giving personalized feedback through short video messages to make it more engaging.

15. Foster community: Encourage students to introduce themselves and participate in online discussion boards.

Assessment and Feedback

16. Diversify assessments: Use a mix of quizzes, projects, and discussion activities to cater to different learning styles.

17. Provide timely feedback: Give students feedback promptly so they can improve on future assignments.

18. Use rubrics: Share clear grading criteria with students so they know what’s expected.

19. Offer practice quizzes: Help students prepare for exams with low-stakes practice quizzes. Consider Integrating Immediate Feedback Loops to Optimize Student Success .

20. Encourage peer feedback: Incorporate peer reviews to allow students to learn from each other.

Tools and Technology

21. Use online collaboration tools: Leverage Google Docs, Padlet, or other platforms for group projects.

22. Incorporate learning apps: Tools like Kahoot or Quizizz can make learning fun and interactive.

23. Stay organized with project management tools: Asana or Trello can help you track tasks, deadlines, and assignments.

24. Utilize screen recording software: Tools like Loom or Screencast-O-Matic can help you create tutorial videos.

25. Monitor participation: Use your LMS analytics to track student engagement and reach out to those who are falling behind.

Student Engagement

26. Make learning interactive: Use polls, quizzes, and open discussions to keep students engaged.

27. Incorporate real-world examples: Show how course content applies to real-world scenarios.

28. Offer flexibility: Provide students with options when completing activities. Consider this Masterclass to learn more.

29. Encourage collaboration: Assign group projects or discussions to help students connect with one another.

30. Celebrate success: Highlight student achievements in class announcements or through a virtual “Student of the Week”.

Self-Care for Educators

31. Take breaks: Set aside time to stretch, walk, or take a mental break.

32. Set boundaries: Limit after-hours work to avoid burnout.

33. Stay active: Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine to stay energized.

34. Connect with colleagues: Join online communities or virtual meet-ups with other educators for support and idea-sharing. The best community out there is definitely The Online Nurse Educator Facebook Group!

35. Practice mindfulness: Incorporate short meditation sessions or breathing exercises to manage stress.

Professional Development

36. Stay updated: Attend webinars, online conferences, or read up on the latest in online education trends. Of course the best resource of all is The Innovative Online Nurse Educator Academy!

37. Seek feedback: Regularly ask students for feedback on your teaching methods and be open to making changes. You can do this with Mid-Semester Surveys!

38. Experiment with new tools: Try out new tech tools or teaching strategies to keep your course fresh.

39. Collaborate with peers: Share best practices with colleagues and consider co-teaching or guest lecturing.

40. Reflect on your teaching: After each semester, take time to evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Try using some of the tips included in this Masterclass for some fresh ideas.

Managing Work-Life Balance

41. Set a schedule: Keep regular work hours and stick to them to maintain a balance between work and personal life.

42. Delegate when possible: If you have TAs or colleagues who can help with grading or other tasks, don’t hesitate to delegate.

43. Unplug after work: Avoid checking emails or course platforms after your designated work hours.

44. Prioritize tasks: Focus on the most important tasks first, and don’t be afraid to push less critical work to later.

45. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and reward yourself for accomplishments, even the small ones.

Help Students Thrive

46. Be approachable: Make sure students know you're available for support and encourage them to reach out.

47. Create a supportive environment: Encourage positive interactions among students to build a strong online community.

48. Offer resources: Share links to academic support, mental health resources, and other helpful tools with your students.

49. Promote time management: Share time management strategies with your students to help them stay on track.

50. Encourage self-care: Remind students to take care of their mental and physical health, especially during stressful times.

By implementing these tips, you can create an effective and engaging online learning environment for your students while also maintaining your well-being as an educator. 

I'd love to hear which tips you'll be focusing on this semester. Share them in The Online Educator Facebook Group!