The delivery formats of education have changed in recent years as more and more students pursue distance education and online coursework. Educators who teach both on-campus and online find Internet and IT resources make them highly effective educators on several levels -- if they commitment to keeping up with educational technology.

Technology

The difference between an effective online and on-campus instructor may come down to technology. Obviously, an educator uncomfortable with computers, Internet protocols and various software packages may neither enjoy the online environment nor appreciate how to exploit it to the student's advantage. Teachers who want to be effective online must be comfortable with technology. Their ability to navigate, troubleshoot, adapt and use technology tools are key of their ultimate effectiveness.

Effective participation

Some teachers love the energy and face-to-face dialogue of the physical classroom. On the other hand, online writing and discussion tools -- forums, chat rooms, IM's and blogs -- have the potential for greater conversational depth, as students must read everyone's posted thoughts before responding. Educators also find online classes make it easy for shy students to speak up and be heard, increasing the effectiveness of group discussions.

The human touch

Some educators say online courses can lack a "human touch," making them less effective for weakly motivated or marginal achievers. However, it's a fact of educational life that younger students are increasingly comfortable in online settings. Highly effective educators, both on campus and online, keep abreast of these innovations through graduate work, seminars and professional development.

Balance

There is no simple way to compare teacher-effectiveness in online and on-campus settings. Effectiveness is influenced by individual techniques that will vary from class to class and course to course. Regardless of setting, the big factors seem to be positive attitudes and a willingness strive to continually increase classroom effectiveness. That means educators themselves are modeling the role of the "life-long learner." They pursue advanced degrees in online technology -- often online! -- to make sure they are effective both on campus and online.