Teaching an Online or Hybrid Course: Getting Started

Before You Teach Online

Join the Online Faculty Development Course (OFDC).

Develop proficiency in D2L (This is built into the OFDC, too. While you are at it, get a D2L Essentials Microcredential in the process.)

Read the COLI Guide to Regular and Substantive Feedback, which are essential requirements for every online course.

See the Quick Rubric for Online Course Design and Delivery. This can be a quick reference card for when you develop, teach, and assess your online course.

See the COLI-curated Zotero Group list of great resources for online teaching.

Do you prefer learning by reading? We recommend starting with Paloff and Pratt, and Nilson and Goodson.
Want some quick tips via video? Take a look at the Patricia K. Cross Academy.

Develop your course

The OFDC will guide you through course design specifically for online and hybrid format.
Register your course with the Office of Student Records and Registration specifically as an online or hybrid course. Your course will have a suffix code that is something like "ONA" or "HYB."
The course catalog should include, within the description, that the course is online or hybrid format.
Include the Readiness for Online Learning Site, so students unfamiliar with online courses can prepare to do a good job in your course.

Continue Your Development

See what events COLI offers related to online teaching. Continue to develop your online proficiency in conversations with colleagues.

Visit the OFDC Archive in D2L, or the COLI Guide to Teaching Online, to see how COLI has updated it's online faculty development with new insights, tips, and tools.

Review the Basics for Course Design Guide, which summarizes fundamentals for course design.