Design Effective Online and Hybrid Learning

If you are new to the University or are unsure where to start with your online/hybrid teaching, start here:

• Visit the Teaching Support Get Started page for some first steps on teaching in Canvas.
• Connect with your local academic technologist to get one-on-one consulting and technological support.
• For teaching resources, see the Center for Educational Innovation.
• To get started with other key University technologies, visit the Office of Information Technology’s New Instructors: Start Using Technologies page.

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)

• The 2021 Federal Department of Education regulations require that distance education courses include regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors. Read more about RSI details and resources.
• Visit Online Course Standards for the UMN-specific RSI resource developed by the Office of Undergraduate Education - Twin Cities.

For assistance in building your course in Canvas, review the following:

• Get Started
• Canvas Essentials
• Canvas Gradebook Set Up

• The Guidelines for Online Teaching and Design is a resource that assists members of the University community (e.g., faculty, instructors, administrators, instructional designers) in supporting student learning in online courses and programs. Topics include:
  • Effective Online Learning
  • Learning Design
  • Learning Environment
• To increase engagement and student success in your courses, explore the following teaching and design resources:
  • Be Present Online: Communication with Students
  • Active Lecturing in Person or Online
  • Facilitating Student Engagement in Synchronous Zoom Sessions
  • Increase Flexibility with Asynchronous Teaching Strategies
  • Aligned Course Design

Digital accessibility refers to the inclusive practice of removing barriers that prevent interaction with (or access to) course materials, digital tools, and technologies. Review the following resources to incorporate best practices in digital accessibility in your course:

• The Office for Digital Accessibility (formerly, the Accessible U website)
• Choose Accessible Learning Content (CALC)
• Digital Accessibility Badging Program
• Accessibility within Canvas
• Read about the role of instructors in accessibility
• Use UDOIT to scan a course

Communication, student engagement, and collaboration can be challenging online and requires intentional planning. Explore the following resources to create the learning environment that aligns with your students’ expectations and your own:

• Use FeedbackFruits Tools for Collaborative Learning
• Online Team Activities and Assignments
• Strategies for Online discussion forums
• Developing and Delivering Online Discussions

Collaborate and learn with your fellow instructors. To be part of a facilitated professional development program with a community of instructors, consider the following options:

• Designing and Delivering Online Learning course (CEI)