Last modified on
April 15, 2024
by
Betsy Guala
Overview
This article provides practical tips and resources for incorporating more inclusive design strategies into online courses.
Continue readingPlan & Prepare
Deciding on Instructional Materials
Last modified on
January 29, 2024
by
Eileen Stuyniski
Overview
This article provides instructional material alternatives, with examples, for use in online, hybrid, and in-person courses. Three options will be considered. Should you “make”, “buy” or look for “free” materials that support your learning objectives?
Continue readingMeeting Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) Requirements
Last modified on
February 5, 2025
by
Eileen Stuyniski
Overview
This article provides examples for meeting the federal requirement for online or distance learning courses to “support regular and substantive interaction (RSI) between the students and the instructor, synchronously or asynchronously” (Downs, 2021).
Continue readingManaging Your Online Course
Last modified on
July 23, 2025
by
Kelsey Keefe
Overview
The Course Facilitation Plan (CFP) outlines the key steps to take before, during, and after your course implementation, presented in the recurring course life-cycle, as well as recognizing the four roles of an online instructor. Download a copy of the file to create your own customized version.
Continue readingSpecifications Grading: A Method to Improve Student Performance
Last modified on
February 7, 2025
by
Jennifer Parker
Overview
Are you looking to increase student motivation and the quality of their academic work? If yes, consider specifications grading. According to Linda B. Nilson, Ph.D., the traditional higher education grading method is broken and specifications grading offers a solution with benefits for both students and faculty. Nilson published her seminal work, Specifications Grading: Restoring Rigor, Motivating Students and Saving Faculty Time, in 2015. Since then, faculty have adopted her method, including some at UConn.
Continue readingCommunication with Online Students Prior to Classes
Last modified on
February 11, 2025
by
Kelsey Keefe
Overview
To prepare online enrolled students for success, eCampus provides them with information prior to the start date of classes.
Ensuring Academic Integrity Online
Last modified on
October 17, 2024
by
Catherine Healy
Overview
Faculty can use the strategies, tools, techniques and technologies available to them to help ensure academic integrity in online courses.
Continue readingCompetencies for Online and Hybrid/Blended Instruction
Last modified on
June 12, 2025
by
Jennifer Parker
Overview
What skills does an instructor need to succeed with an online or hybrid course? The UConn Competencies for Online and Hybrid/Blended Instruction survey includes 27 competencies to inform and facilitate self-assessment. The second edition takes into account developments in higher education since the COVID pandemic.
Developing Engaging Online Discussions
Last modified on
February 18, 2025
by
Betsy Guala
Overview
Online discussions are used to build dynamic learning communities, to synthesize key concepts and to promote critical thinking skills. In this article, we discuss tips for writing engaging prompts.
Continue readingDesign: Using a Course Design Plan
Last modified on
February 13, 2025
by
Jennifer Parker
Overview
This article introduces using a course design plan for the design phase of the instructional design model ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate) and how it can help meet alignment principles of Quality Matters’ Standards for Course Design.
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