Teaching online is significantly different from teaching face-to-face, both pedagogically and technologically. To be as successful as possible, we recommend initial training about online teaching before or during developing your online course. After that, you can further develop your online teaching skills by attending additional workshops about online teaching.
In addition, you can choose to complete an Online Teaching Readiness Self-Assessment and receive a customized training plan. Contact us at citl@niu.edu for more information.
Online Course Design Academy
Are you new to teaching online, or looking to refresh your skills? Attend the Online Course Design Academy to experience what it is like to be an online student and to learn more about best practices for teaching online as well as to learn the fundamentals for designing a high quality online course. The Online Course Design Academy is offered entirely online several times each year.
Quality Standards
NIU has adopted the Quality MattersTM (QM) benchmark for online course design. As a nationally recognized leader in quality assurance in online teaching and learning, the QM framework will help guide online course development and review. Training on QM is offered at several levels, from introduction through application and certifications as an official reviewer.
Online Teaching Workshops
Every month, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning offers workshops on best practices for teaching online, strategies for building community and engagement into online courses, and technology for online teaching.