Online Teaching Foundations Course
Welcome to the Online Teaching Foundations Course
We've designed this course to be both a learning resource and a reference guide. We hope that you work through the modules to learn more about designing and teaching a online course. We also hope that you bookmark this course and use it as a reference whenever you're developing your courses in Canvas.
Canvas Foundations Course
1-2 Hours to Complete
Whether you are new to Canvas or in need of a quick refresher, this course was designed with you in mind. You will learn to communicate with your students, deliver learning materials, use the Canvas Gradebook, create and deliver assignments, and utilize groups.
Designing an Online Course
1 Hour to Complete
In this module, we describe Backward Design as a model for developing or revising online courses to improve validity, dependability, and clarity.
Online Presence
1 Hour to Complete
Being actively involved in your online class will promote student success. While online classes provide students with more flexibility and new ways to collaborate, success in the online environment is directly related to how present and engaged the instructor is in the virtual classroom.
Online Assessment
Time to Complete: 1 Hour
In this module, we discuss the "why" of aligning assessments with learning outcomes, the "what" of types of assessments to gather valid evidence that your students are learning what you intend for them to learn, and the "how" of developing assessments.
Active Learning
Time to Complete: 1 Hour
In this module, we will look at learning activities that require students to actively "do something" with the content and concepts and reflect on the doing (individually or in pairs or groups).
Content
Time to Complete: 1 Hour
In this module, we discuss different sources for content, legal issues related to the use of others' content, and how to avoid "scope creep" in your content.
Structuring the Course
Time to Complete: 1 Hour
A well-organized course provides a clear path for students to progress. By providing structure and clear, welcoming instructions and information students will be more comfortable and confident and will ask fewer logistical questions.
Optional: Accessibility
In our resource guide and self-paced Make Your Canvas Course Accessible course, you will identify core principles of accessibility.
Optional:
Usability and Visual Design
In this self-paced course, you’ll learn how to implement enhanced design elements into your Canvas site. You can pick and choose which elements to use, whether that’s adding a single button to your Canvas site or creating entire pages.
