A Distance Education Institute is a faculty-led learning space designed to support instructors in exploring and implementing new strategies and teaching modalities in distance education. It provides a structured professional development experience where faculty learn from peers, engage with emerging teaching strategies and technologies, and apply best practices to course design and instruction.
Through collaborative learning and hands-on application, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of a new area in distance education, ensuring they are well-prepared to enhance their online teaching effectiveness.
DE Institute: 8-Week Course Design and Teaching Strategies
The DE Institute: 8-Week Course Design and Teaching Strategies is designed to support faculty prepare to teach 8-week semester course sections.
This supportive cohort focuses on applying effective practices for the skillful use of educational technology and the integration of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities in an 8-week learning environment and provides a framework for the unique needs of teaching an 8-week term.
Applicant Prerequisites: All levels of teaching experience and technology skills are welcome. Faculty teaching 8-week courses will be prioritized. Faculty are recommended to have completed APPQMR training.
Stipend: $1000 stipend (total)
Stipend will be paid after participating in the institute, successfully meeting all requirements, and completing a redesign of your 8-week course section.
Professional Development: 8 hours
To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Deadline to Apply: Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Please note: Faculty can participate in only one Distance Education Faculty Learning Community (FLC) or Distance Education Institute per semester.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].
Summer 2026 Offerings
JUNE, 2026
INSTITUTE: 8-Week Course Design and Teaching Strategies
| Dates | Times | Location | Registration Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 5-21 June 5, 12, 26 |
Asynchronous activities 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
Online Zoom meeting |
Register for 8-Week Institute |
- Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, June 3 at 5 p.m.
Additional Information for 8-Week Course
Schedule & Topics:
Friday, June 5 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Synchronous Online via Zoom
- Week 1: Rethinking the 8-Week Experience
Friday, June 12 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Synchronous Online via Zoom
- Week 2: Chunking, Scaffolding & Meaningful Assessment
Friday, June 5- Sunday, June 21 | Asynchronous Online Activities
- Week 3: Building a Sustainable Weekly Learning Rhythm
Friday, June 26 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Synchronous Online via Zoom
- Week 4: Intentional Course Redesign Review
Facilitator: Katie McClendon, Distance Education Instructional Designer
Applicant Prerequisites: All levels of teaching experience and technology skills are welcome. Faculty teaching 8-week courses will be prioritized. Faculty are recommended to have completed APPQMR training.
Stipend: $1000 stipend (total) will be paid after participating in the institute, successfully meeting all requirements, and completing a redesign of your 8-week course section.
Professional Development: 8 hours To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Registration Cap: Minimum: 6 Faculty / Maximum: 10 Faculty
Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, June 3 at 5 p.m.
Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].
JULY, 2026
INSTITUTE: 8-Week Course Design and Teaching Strategies
| Dates | Times | Location | Registration Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 10-26 July 10, 17, 31 |
Asynchronous activities 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
Online Zoom meeting |
Register for 8-Week Institute |
- Deadline to Apply: Thursday, July 2 at 5 p.m.
Additional Information for 8-Week Course
Schedule & Topics:
Friday, July 10 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Synchronous Online via Zoom
- Week 1: Rethinking the 8-Week Experience
Friday, July 17 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Synchronous Online via Zoom
- Week 2: Chunking, Scaffolding & Meaningful Assessment
Friday, July 10 – Sunday, July26 21 | Asynchronous Online Activities
- Week 3: Building a Sustainable Weekly Learning Rhythm
Friday, July 31 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Synchronous Online via Zoom
- Week 4: Intentional Course Redesign Review
Facilitator: Katie McClendon, Distance Education Instructional Designer
Applicant Prerequisites: All levels of teaching experience and technology skills are welcome. Faculty teaching 8-week courses will be prioritized. Faculty are recommended to have completed APPQMR training.
Stipend: $1000 stipend (total) will be paid after participating in the institute, successfully meeting all requirements, and completing a redesign of your 8-week course section.
Professional Development: 8 hours To self-report credits, go to Workday > Profile icon > View Profile > Career > Training > Add Training
Registration Cap: Minimum: 6 Faculty / Maximum: 10 Faculty
Deadline to Apply: Thursday, July 2 at 5 p.m.
Participants will receive an acceptance letter from the Distance & Alternative Education Office after the application deadline has passed.
Contact: For any questions, please email [email protected].