Course Designs & Online Learning
Universal Design
Universal Design for Learning is a framework that guides the design of courses and learning environments to appeal to the largest number of learners. It emphasizes flexibility in how instructional material is presented, how students demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and in how they are engaged in learning.
- Georgetown University: Universal Design for LearningFor instructors, UDL means designing your course with accessibility in mind—regardless of whether you’ve been approached by a student who may “require” such adjustments.
- UDL in Higher EdProvides an overview of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and how it applies to higher education learning environments and additional resources for deeper understanding. It also offers practical information about getting started, case stories that are examples of courses and programs that use UDL to improve student success and links to some colleges and universities that have UDL initiatives.
- Universal Design in Higher Education: Promising PracticesBurgstahler, S. (2013). Preface. In S. Burgstahler (Ed.). Universal design in higher education: Promising
practices. Seattle: DO-IT, University of Washington. Retrieved from www.uw.edu/doit/UDHE-promisingpractices/preface.html
Pedagogical Best Practices
- Vanderbilt University: Interacting Asynchronously.Johnson, S.M. (2020). ). Interacting Asynchronously. Vanderbilt University Course Development Resources. https://www.vanderbilt.edu/cdr/module-2/interacting-asynchronously/
- Harvard University: Pedagogical Best Practices: Residential, Blended, and OnlineThis section provides principles and tips to help you teach, regardless of whether your class is fully in person, fully online, or a little bit of both.
Course Design
- Designing Online Courses in Teacher Education to Enhance Adult Learner Engagement.Ornelles, C., Ray, A. B., & Wells, J. C. (2019). Designing Online Courses in Teacher Education to Enhance Adult Learner Engagement. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 31(3), 547-557.
- Support Student Success With Culturally Responsive Course DesignThere are many factors to consider when designing a high-quality online or hybrid course, including accessibility and alignment. But there’s another critical component that is often overlooked — culturally responsive and inclusive design.
Continuing Education
- Online Learning Consortium CoursesThe OLC Institute for Professional Development offers online workshops, courses, and programs for everyone from new online faculty, educators, and instructional designers to experienced online instructors and advanced instructional/course designers. Explore a variety of options for learning, networking, choosing a career path.
- International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE)ISTE inspires the creation of solutions and connections that improve opportunities for all learners by delivering: practical guidance, evidence-based professional learning, virtual networks, thought-provoking events and the ISTE Standards.
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Webinars & WorkshopsHLC’s Academies and Workshops support institutional improvement and professional development in the areas of assessment of student learning and student success and institutional strategy and planning. The Academies are multi-year, structured programs that focus on cultivating strategies for institutional improvement.
- Distance education for teacher training: Modes, models, and methods.Burns, M. (2011). Distance education for teacher training: Modes, models, and methods. Education Development Center, Inc. Washington DC. Retrieved from: https://www.edc.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Distance-Education-Teacher-Training.pdf