Attributes of successful online learners and educators
During the university shutdown, many of the in-person classes switched to online platforms, while instructors and students were both undergoing a steep adjustment curve. It is well-known that students have different learning styles which should be taken into account by instructors (Zapalska & Brozik, 2006). This is even more important in the online setting where there is limited direct teacher-student interactions (Wang, Hinn, & Kanfer, 2001; Zapalska & Brozik, 2006). Zapalska and Brozik(Zapalska & Brozik, 2006) provide useful tools including presenting the course material in multiple formats, creating a project-based collaborative class environment, and encouraging small group discussion using breakout rooms on zoom (Zapalska & Brozik, 2006).
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has provided specific recommendations on maximising the effect of remote learning (Snelling & Fingal, 2020). These suggestions emphasize equity and include educating the professors for online teaching, rapid online feedback about the quality of online classes and communicating expectations clearly with students, and providing students-centred learning and considering different learning styles (Morgan, 2020; Snelling & Fingal, 2020). ISTE defines characteristics as requirements for being a successful online learner and teacher. A successful online learner is 1) an empowered learner who can use multiple available technologies to their advantage, 2) a digital citizen fully aware of their digital rights and responsibilities, 3) a knowledge constructor capable of constructing an effective learning experience, 4) an innovative designer who can weave creativity in the use of technology platforms, 5) a computational thinker cultivating the analytical skills, 6) a creative online communicator, and finally 7) a global collaborator allowing cross-cultural interactions (Education, 2016). Similar characteristics have been proposed for successful online educators including being 1) a learner to constantly improving their technology skills, 2) a leader to actively improve the online learning experience, 3) a citizen encouraging responsible participation in the digital world by the students, 4) a collaborator with students and other educators, 5) a designer to create an authentic learning experience, 6) a facilitator supporting students learning endeavours, and finally 9) an analyst using data-driven approaches to education (Education, 2017).