Online sexuality education pedagogy: translating five in-person teaching methods to online learning environments

Abstract

As higher education expands online course offerings, it is essential that sexuality educators strive to translate success from in-person courses into online pedagogy. While many educators remain anxious about, or sceptical of, the benefits of online sexuality education, the popularity of online courses demands engagement if educators are not to miss out on the opportunity to educate growing numbers and different types of students. Building on the authors' previous work addressing foundational best practices for online sexuality education at college and university level, this paper focuses specifically on translating successes from in-person classrooms to the online learning environment. Through consideration of core learning objectives and commonly available learning technologies, it identifies five popular in-person teaching methods (brainstorming, forced choice, demonstration, films and videos, and role play) and explains how these can be successfully translated into online learning environments. Each of the five areas includes a rationale for use, considerations and strategies for successful implementation, and a specific example of translating a traditional sexuality education activity to an online learning environment.

Keywords::

• sexuality education
• teaching online
• pedagogy
• online pedagogy
• higher education

Notes

^1. Since many of these activities have been handed down through generations of sexuality educators, the original authors may be unknown or unclear. We have credited activities to the best of our ability, and we sincerely apologise for any errors or omissions.