Not all professors approach teaching in the same way. Major differences exist depending upon academic discipline, class size, and on individual instructor preferences. The Indiana State University Center for Teaching and Learning has identified four teaching styles:

• formal authority
• demonstrator
• facilitator
• delegator

They offer an interesting discussion of instructional design for different teaching styles, "teaching rhythms" for each of the four different teaching styles, and "planning a web site" template for each teaching style. Brainstorming with fellow faculty members who have taught online before can help determine ways to apply technology and create the teaching and learning experience you desire. Questions to think about:

• When you teach in the classroom, how do you facilitate interaction between the students? Do you have whole class discussions, break the class into groups, etc.?
• When you teach in the classroom, how do you deliver the content to the students? Do you use powerpoint complete with audio and animation, black and white overheads, a chalkboard or video?
• When you teach in the classroom, what sorts of interactive things do you use in the course? Do you have the students move their desks around to setup the classroom the way they want it?

Take a Teaching Style Inventory from Indiana State University Center for Teaching and Learning to reflect on your teaching style.