https://doi.org/10.1177/10776958211022485 Journalism & Mass Communication Educator 2021, Vol. 76(4) 439–447 © AEJMC 2021 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/10776958211022485 http://journals.sagepub.com/home/jmc Special Issue: Disrupted Delivery: Remote and Online Instruction in Times of Crisis and Emergency Transparency in Online Pedagogy: A Critical Analysis of Changing Modalities Julianna Kirschner 1 Abstract As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, college and university faculty have been tasked with moving their courses toward online modalities with minimal notice. This environment challenged faculty in unique ways, but the need for transparency and communication became more important than ever. To improve the student experience, faculty should consider adapting their strategies to accommodate the online space. Using critical analysis, this piece addresses specific steps faculty can take to improve the transition toward online teaching. These steps include increased access to the instructor and online learning materials, adapting course materials and syllabi, and acceptance of perceived failure. Keywords communication, online education, journalism and mass communication education, professional skills, pedagogy In March 2020, the sudden transition from face-to-face teaching toward the online environment served as an unintentional experiment in higher education in the United States. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many journalism and mass communication instructors found themselves challenged to recraft their les- sons, assignments, and overall course delivery with minimal notice. Regardless of an instructor’s previous comfort or discomfort with online modalities, the transition was 1 University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA Corresponding Author: Julianna Kirschner, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 3502 Watt Way, Ste. G21B, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0001, USA. Email: jjkirsch@usc.edu 1022485JMC XX X 10.1177/10776958211022485Journalism & Mass Communication EducatorKirschner research-article 2021