The positives and pitfalls of teaching online courses at the university level was the focus of a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Dr. Deana Raffo

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Deana Raffo, an associate professor in the Department of Management, first aired Aug. 31 on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org ). You can listen to their conversation below.

Raffo and three of her MTSU colleagues — Drs. Tom Brinthaupt, Justin Gardner and Lawanna Fisher — have coauthored a research paper on “Balancing Online Teaching Activities: Strategies for Optimizing Efficiency and Effectiveness.”

The paper was published in the spring 2015 Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, Vol. 18, Issue 1.

The document addresses ways professors can become more effective in designing courses, relating the content to students, assessing students’ performance and being available for feedback and consultation.

“Teaching online has its own challenges, especially when you’re teaching a new online class,” said Raffo.

“Even after you’ve been teaching online for a while, there’s always improvements to make.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

A video clip of the above interview is available below.