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Online Teaching 101

Online Learning 101

Before you begin...

How to navigate this guide...

Use the guide navigation menu (located at the top of the left-hand sidebar of this page) to navigate through this resource.

​Each page will feature the basic information needed to create a course shell and populate that shell with the essential elements to promote effective online learning. Look for tabs at the top to navigate through additional information in a box:

Users can return to each step to access the additional tabs that provide resources that support the implementation of more advanced course elements.

Learning the Lingo

As with any area, online teaching and learning at LSC-Montgomery is often peppered with acronyms and industry-specific terms that can be confusing. Here are some keywords to know before starting on your journey into online teaching:

  • Asynchronous: Instruction that does not require a student to participate at a specific time. An example of asynchronous instruction is a recorded video session a student can watch at any time.
  • D2L: Desire2Learn is the software company behind Brightspace, the learning management system (LMS) used by LSC to host online course shells. The LMS at LSC is commonly referred to as D2L.
  • F2F: Face-to-face or in-person; usually refers to course modality.
  • Hybrid Course: A course with both online and F2F components. These courses may be designed to be primarily online or primarily F2F, but will all incorporate both modalities.
  • LMS: Learning management system; a software application that allows users to administer and access educational resources. The LMS at LSC is commonly referred to as D2L.
  • Synchronous: Instruction that occurs for all students at the same time. An example of synchronous instruction is a live video presentation in which students must log-on at a specific time to view the instructor.
  • Third-party Applications: Tools or resources that are not provided or supported by Lone Star College technology or instructional support services. Third-party applications often have free components but may charge for premium features or increased usage. Please carefully review the service and associated costs before integrating third-party services into your course.
  • VLAC: Virtual Learning Assistance Center; a collection of resources for LSC online students or students with online course components.  
  • VTAC: Virtual Teaching Assistance Center; an instructional resource created for LSC faculty. The VTAC site provides instructional guides and training to assist with the development and implementation of successful online courses.