Teaching Online Program
The Teaching Online Program (TOP) is designed for faculty interested in applying evidence-based solutions to address the challenges of engaging and supporting the success of online* students. TOP is not a ReggieNet how-to series. ReggieNet is one of the instructional technology tools used to deliver the content, but the central focus of the program is online course pedagogy. The program accepts 15 participants per semester.
*TOP supports any course that meets the Higher Learning Commission definition of “distance education.” 75% or more of the interaction must take place in the online environment. This is a change from the previous requirement that 100% of the course be taught online.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply research-based best practices in online teaching
- Evaluate your own course and your colleagues’ course from the learner perspective
- Create a plan to improve course components to maximize online student success
- Implement teaching strategies to create an equitable learning environment for all students
Prerequisites
Participants must be nominated for TOP by their department chair or school director, and they must be assigned to an online course that is scheduled to be taught in the next semester (or two). For example, participants accepted into a fall cohort must be scheduled to teach their class in the subsequent spring or summer.
TOP is designed for instructors who have basic knowledge and experiences of designing their online courses. Participants are required to have completed DART (Design, Align, Refine and Teach), AIM (Apply, Improve, and Meet Expectations for a High-Quality Online Course), or APPQMR (Applying Quality Matters Rubric) workshop. If you have not completed one of these programs prior to TOP, please contact the Center and request for a pre-program consultation with one of the TOP facilitators. Additionally, a basic-to-intermediate knowledge of ReggieNet is highly recommended.
Stipends
The Office of the Provost provides funding for stipends in the amount of $1,500 for participants who successfully complete the TOP program. Successful completion is measured by the approval of the participant’s chair or director, who will verify that they have accepted the course on behalf of the department or school.
Selection Criteria
Should the number of nominations for each cohort exceed 15, the following criteria will be used to select participants:
- course scheduled in one of the next two semesters following the program (with preference given to courses in the immediately following semester)
- preference given to instructors with minimal online teaching experience
Questions
If you have general questions about TOP, you can contact us at ProDev@ilstu.edu. Faculty members wishing to apply should contact their department chair or school director.
If you need a special accommodation to fully participate in TOP, please contact the Center at ProDev@ilstu.edu.