A three-week online course that mimics a highly flexible course delivery where faculty experience this from a student’s perspective. This online course will be led by the Faculty Hub and will include sessions with several online learning experts.

We have designed the course as a series of six independent online learning modules so as to provide multiple avenues for faculty to engage with course materials. Participants may choose to complete all six modules, or they may select the ones that most interest them.

Course dates: July 13-30

Time commitment: We have designed this course to meet the varied needs of faculty from across our campus. We encourage participants to spend as much time in this course as their schedule allows or is appropriate given their level of experience with online teaching.

Cohort size: Unlimited; synchronous sessions in Zoom have a capacity of 300.

Course modules will be added to the Blackboard site on the dates noted.

Available Beginning July 10

Module 1: Online Essentials

Online courses are often characterized by a feeling of disconnect for both students and faculty. Learn about practical strategies to foster interactions, build community, and promote student learning. Instructors will also generate a course learning objective that can be workshopped through subsequent modules on assessment, learning activities, and development of course materials.

This module features two synchronous sessions with online learning expert, Dr. Flower Darby, author of Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes.

“Fostering Connections and Community in Online Classes” on July 14 from 10-11 a.m.
“Practical Strategies for Teaching Online During COVID-19” on July 15 from 10-11 a.m.

Module 2: Helping Students

Many of our students have limited experience with online learning. In this module, instructors will learn how to apply cognitive science principles to help students meet the challenges of learning in an online environment. We will identify opportunities and practical strategies to support our students.

This module features two synchronous sessions with online learning expert, Dr. Claire Major, author of Teaching Online: A Guide to Theory, Research, and Practice.

“Helping Students Learn…Online” on July 16 from 10-11:30 a.m.
“Helping Students Learn to Learn…Online” on July 17 from 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Available Beginning July 17

Module 3: Assessment

Gain experience with tools and technology to design assessments that align with student learning objectives and learn about ways to use community-building and assessment design to foster academic integrity. This module will feature two synchronous sessions with members of the Faculty Hub. Times TBA.

Module 4: Learning Activities

Gain experience with tools and technology that enable interactive and collaborative learning activities that align with student learning objectives. This module includes two synchronous sessions with members of the Faculty Hub on July 22 (10-11:15 a.m.) and July 24 (10-11:15 a.m.) as well as a synchronous workshop on July 23 (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) co-hosted by Dr. Carol Ann Downes from Hendrix College and Dr. Andrew Bell from the Faculty Hub.

Available Beginning July 24

Module 5: Producing, Curating, and Organizing Content

Gain experience with a variety of strategies for producing, curating, and organizing course material using institutionally supported online platforms such as Blackboard, Box, Panopto, and Zoom. Includes two synchronous sessions: a faculty panel about organizing content in Blackboard, and a session to ask questions and get feedback about content production techniques. Times TBA.

Module 6: Facilitating Online Learning

Reflect on your engagement as an online learner within this course and identify practical strategies to facilitate student learning in your online or blended course. This module includes two synchronous sessions with members of the Faculty Hub and will help build community among faculty colleagues for discussion of teaching strategies. Times TBA.

Responsive and Flexible Teaching