Professional learning opportunities designed for online and hybrid instructors
New to this program? Learn about the choice of formats.
Complete five micro-courses and you’ll receive a certificate and letter of recognition shared with your dean and department chair. Courses may be completed in any order, at any time they are offered.
Instructor feedback
“If you want to be a good online teacher. I don’t know that there’s anybody on campus doing it better … You get to see clear examples of effective strategies, and there’s so many resources that you build into the course that I still use.”
Matt Friedman, lecturer
Economics
“The micro-courses are an investment of time, but they will pay you back tremendously. The quality of my course is high, and I am much more efficient as an instructor and can really focus on the student experience.”
Lauren Papp, associate dean
School of Human Ecology
“Adding some features and changing the course flow has really helped alleviate a lot of emails that I used to get, which allows me to dedicate more time to my students and engaging with them versus just answering basic questions.”
James Mark Windsor, lecturer
Management & Human Resources
Summer topics
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NEW! Instructional Materials – Discover, plan, and create effective, engaging, and accessible instructional materials
Webinar: May 20, 9-10:30 a.m.
Share your challenges about creating course content and learn about the new self-paced micro-course (see below) that will help you create or curate instructional materials and media for your course. This session will highlight research-based criteria to consider when designing impactful, engaging course content.
Self-directed course: Opens May 21
Learn how to create or curate effective, accessible written content and visual/audiovisual media for your course. This is a self-paced, fully online course where you explore research-based criteria for instructional materials and work independently on activities.
In this course, you will have the flexibility to focus on creating written, visual, and/or audiovisual instructional materials. On average, expect to spend 10 hours to complete the course, though the total time will depend on the modules and activities you choose and whether you complete the optional final project, which includes receiving feedback from an instructional design expert.
Course Planning – Use design frameworks to create a learner-centered course
When designing an online course, it is important to plan a cohesive, organized, and student-centered learning experience. In this program, you will begin planning an inclusive environment using design frameworks to envision both what and how you want your students to learn. You will also start developing a module plan and course organization.
Webinar: May 27, 9-10:30 a.m.
Micro-course: May 28-June 13
Designing Assessments – Create robust assessments that accurately measure course learning outcomes
Webinar: June 13, 9-10:30 a.m.
Micro-course: June 18-30
Tests and papers are only two of a myriad of options for assessing what your learners understand. In this program, you will explore strategies to create a diverse range of robust assessments designed to guide learners through structured activities, helping them progressively build and apply knowledge. You will also identify the essential components for designing a successful group project.
Fostering Community – Adopt strategies to create relationships and promote a course learning community
Just as with in-person courses, creating community online with your students will expand their awareness, improve well-being and increase overall learning. With some planning and a consistent approach, you can foster a strong, productive online community. In this program, you will think more deeply about what “community” means, create materials to help your learners connect with you, and identify strategies to enhance interactions throughout your course.
Webinar: July 15
Micro-course: July 16 to July 28
Course Management – Adopt practices that support and motivate learners
Teaching online requires unique methods of time and course management. In this program, you will explore a variety of ways to manage an online course, including: developing an effective orientation, communicating expectations, organizing group work, and planning time effectively for both you and your students. You will develop a Course Rhythm Plan and Student Success Worksheet tailored to your course.
Webinar: July 29, 9-10:30 a.m.
Micro-course: July 30 to August 12
Cultivating Inclusivity – Promote an online environment that embraces diversity and inclusion
Explore strategies and develop a plan to foster an equitable and inclusive online learning environment. In this program, you will reflect on how your and your students’ social identities can be relevant when creating a sense of belonging. You will also identify strategies to address challenging situations such as microaggressions. Inclusive teaching practices will help you create a learning space in which students will feel more welcomed, valued and encouraged to succeed.
Webinar: August 13, 9-10:30 a.m.
Micro-course: August 14 to August 23
Formats
You’re welcome to attend one or both formats
Live webinar
Provides a quick, interactive overview of each topic. You can then move forward independently to apply what you’ve learned or join the micro-course for more personalized feedback.
Time commitment: 1.5 hours.
“These webinars were welcoming and inspiring and made me want to learn more.”
Micro-course
Offered fully online via Canvas, these non-credit micro-courses are a deeper dive where you will apply what you learn and work directly on your course, receiving feedback from instructional experts. You will take part in both independent and collaborative activities.
BONUS: Complete five micro-courses and you’ll receive a certificate and letter of recognition shared with your dean and department chair. Courses may be completed in any order, at any time they are offered.
Time commitment: About 8 to 10 hours, asynchronously, during the course period.
“These micro-courses were eye-openers for all of us – really helped us learn how small changes in instruction make big differences.”