Increasing the availability of online courses and programs requires a commitment to quality online instruction. Best practices show that establishing expectations for faculty teaching online is important to the overall success of online instruction. Montana State Online is committed to providing faculty with support to successfully teach and deliver an online course, and is making available an introductory Teaching Online Program to help faculty prepare for that success.
Requirements
1) Attend a D2L introductory training session
Two options:
Face-to-Face: The introductory hands-on workshop "Getting Started with D2L" introduces participants to working in D2L Learning Environment (LE). See Getting Started with D2L.
Trainings are offered on a regular basis through Extended University.
Recorded Video: Though a hands-on workshop is more effective, an archived version is available for those who cannot attend on campus. The video provides an overview of D2L at MSU and features available. See overview video.
Note: A variety of advance training sessions will be available for more experienced D2L users on specific D2L topics. The Introductory training session is a prerequisite for the advanced sessions.
2) Complete the Faculty Self-Assessment: Preparing for Online Teaching
This anonymous survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will give you invaluable insight to your teaching and organizational style when developing a new course. You will receive immediate feedback, which should be saved. See the assessment.
3) Review MUS Core Principles of Quality for Online Courses in the Montana University System
See how many of these core principles you are incorporating in your current course and consider how you can use more of them to enhance the learning for your students. See all principles.
4) Review the Strategies for Effective Online Teaching (PDF) and explore a sample online course
See the abbreviated form of The Strategies for Effective Online Teaching (PDF).
Strategies can also be explored more in-depth in a sample course in D2L. To obtain access, contact ecat@montana.edu.
5) Consult with Montana State Online Staff
After completing steps 1-4, set up an appointment to meet one-on-one with a Montana State Online staff member. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions more specific to your course and receive individual support. You may wish to follow the example of those faculty who bring their questions and reflections from the prior four steps to start the conversation. The Montana State Online staff is ready to assist you and can provide a wide array of tools to enrich your course.
TOP 1-1 Consultation times are typically available on the following days/times:
Tuesdays 9-11am
Wednesdays 1-3pm
Thursdays 10am-12pm
Register online for a consultation or contact us at 406-994-3255 or ecat@montana.edu
Completion
Upon completion of steps 1-5, report your participation through our online completion form.
A certificate of completion will then be emailed to you. A final survey will also provide you an opportunity to evaluate the process and provide feedback to help us continue to improve this program.
Additional Resources
After you have completed the Teaching Online Program, you may be interested in participating in the Teaching Online Short Course, a three-week online course for instructors.
To learn more about course development and pedagogy online, see Resources for Faculty Teaching Online.
A Library Guide is also available.
