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].
Spring 2026 Offerings
FEBRUARY, 2026
INSTITUTE: 8-Week Course Design and Teaching Strategies
| Dates | Times | Location | Registration Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2-19 February 20 March 6 |
Asynchronous activities 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. |
Online Zoom meeting Zoom meeting |
Registration is closed |
- Note: Applicants are allowed to apply for only one DE FLC or DE Institute each semester.
- Deadline to Apply: Monday, January 26 at 5 p.m.
Schedule & Topics:
Monday, Feb 2 – Thursday, Feb 19: Asynchronous Online Activities
- Unit 1: 8-Week Teaching and Learning: What, Why, How (1.5 hours)
- Unit 2: Effective Short Course Design: Modular Course Design (1.5 hours)
Friday, Feb 20, 9am – 12pm: Zoom
- Unit 3: Effective Orientation for an 8-Week Course (1 hour)
- Unit 4: Create a Learning Community in an 8-Week Course (1 hour)
- Unit 5: How to Assess 8-Week Learning (1 hour)
Friday, March 6, 9:30am – 11:30am: Zoom
- Unit 6: Finalize Your Own 8-Week Course Plan (2 hours)
Facilitator: Dr. Lei Ji, Professor, Economics
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: Monday, January 26 at 5 p.m.
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].