OHIO instructors invited to attend CTLA sessions focused on online teaching

Ohio University’s Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment (CTLA) is offering four upcoming online sessions for instructors in October and November.

All OHIO instructors are invited to participate in the sessions, which will focus on the following topics:

• Orientation to Online Teaching
• Online Teaching Boot Camp
• Institute for Online Course Design
• The Joyful Online Teacher Book Group

The CTLA offers book groups, workshops, sessions and course design or redesign institutes to support excellence in online teaching throughout the year.

You can find more information on the CTLA website.

Orientation to Online Teaching

OHIO instructors are invited to attend either of these two sessions.

• 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13, via Teams
• 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, Via Teams

This orientation is perfect preparation for either 1) an Online Teaching Boot Camp, an offering for instructors new to online instruction; or 2) an Institute for Online Course Design, a nine-hour structured opportunity for faculty to design or enhance an upcoming course. The Orientation to Online Teaching  is required for any instructor planning on attending the Course Design Institute for Online Courses who has not taught online previously.

Topics covered include:

• Considerations for moving a course from in-person to online
• Considerations for working with a Blueprint course
• Considerations when taking over a previously taught online course
• Evidence-informed instructional strategies for online environments
• Teaching to OHIO learners in an online environment
• Ramifications of AI for online instruction

You can register here for the Oct. 13 session.

You can register here for the Oct. 14 session.

Online Teaching Boot Camp

OHIO instructors are invited to attend either of these two sessions.

• 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, via Teams
• 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18, Via Teams

This boot camp provides faculty teaching online in the spring semester the opportunity to engage with colleagues from multiple disciplines who are already delivering highly effective online courses, each reflecting an evidence-based or innovative approach to the modality. The boot camp offers participants the opportunity to:

• Examine the structure and design of excellent online courses in Canvas, 
• Critically assess the organization and presentation of their own course content and modules, 
• Review various types of assignments and assessments well-suited for online learners, 
• Identify effective strategies for engaging students in an online environment, 
• Consider strategies for incorporating friction that mitigates AI use, and/or for leveraging AI to enhance student learning outcomes.

You can register here for the Nov. 17 session.

You can register here for the Nov. 18 session.

Institute for Online Course Design

9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 14, 15 and 16, via Teams

The Institute for Online Course Design is an intensive, hands-on experience for faculty who are preparing a new online course or seeking to strengthen an existing one. Participants will work through a structured course design process that connects learning outcomes, assessments, instructional activities, course organization and student engagement.

Instructors who have not taught online before should also attend the Orientation to Teaching Online. Participants are encouraged to work on their Canvas courses in the afternoons; an open instructional design office hour will be scheduled each day.

Participants will:

• Develop, confirm or refine measurable course learning outcomes.
• Align assessments and learning activities with course outcomes.
• Create a clear, consistent and student-friendly course structure.
• Design opportunities for meaningful interaction, engagement and active learning.
• Strengthen instructor presence and communication in the online environment.
• Incorporate accessibility principles.
• Examine assessment strategies appropriate for contemporary learning environments, including those shaped by generative AI.
• Receive feedback on course design decisions and identify priorities for continued development.
• Leave with a substantially developed or redesigned online course and a clear plan for completing remaining work.

You can register here for the Institute for Online Course Design.

The Joyful Online Teacher Book Group

11 a.m. to noon, Oct. 13 and Oct. 27, via Teams (A session was also held on Sept. 29)

Join colleagues for a discussion of the book "The Joyful Online Teacher: Finding Our Fizz in Asynchronous Classes," by online teaching expert Flower Darby.

From the author's website: "In The Joyful Online Teacher, Flower addresses the root causes of pervasive challenges in online classes, highlights ways to promote happiness and satisfaction in everyday life, and translates those principles into practical, joy-inducing online teaching strategies. You’ll find concrete tips to promote flourishing in every class, whether online or in person, to enhance everyone’s vibrancy, engagement and success—starting with your own."

•    Sept. 29: Introduction, Chapter 1
•    October 13: Chapters 2-3
•    October 27: Chapters 4-5

Discussions will be facilitated by Sherleena Buchman and Kimberly Ephlin, both from the College of Health Sciences and Professions.

You can register here for the book group.