An Evidence-Based Framework for Building Robust Online Learning Programs

COVID-19 has forced many traditionally residential programs to move swiftly to online and hybrid learning environments.  A dizzying array of resources were shared on how to teach online effectively.  Many of the resources were anecdotal stories that were not evidence-based or scaleable.   Dozens of articles pointed people to hundreds of different websites.  Many schools quickly built continuity pages with links to resources and best practices. 

We are now moving into a new normal, from stop gap emergency remote teaching to more robust online teaching methods.  In this session, the presenters will provide a framework for building robust online environments that includes vision, governance, organizational structure, faculty training, curriculum, student support and quality rubrics.  Additionally, the presenters will provide evidence-based best practices based on decades of research.  Participants will walk away from this session with a framework that can be used to design robust online programs, a white paper on Community of Inquiry (CoI), and several handouts that have practical tips for building community, increasing teacher effectiveness, measuring quality of courses, and improving student learning.

Attendees will walk away from this session with: 

• A clear understanding of the difference between emergency remote teaching and quality online teaching

• A framework for building robust online programs: Vision, Governance, Organizational Structure, Faculty Training and Support, Curriculum, Student Support and Quality Rubrics

• A white paper on the Community of Inquiry (CoI) research framework for online learning

• Tip sheet: 20 Ways to Increase Social Presence in Online Courses

• Tip sheet: 20 Ways to Increase Teaching Presence in Online Courses

• Tip sheet: 20 Ways to Increase Cognitive Presence in Online Courses

• The OLC Quality Course Teaching and Instructional Practice (QCTIP) Rubric