Primer for Teaching Online
10. Take a Workshop
Building Capacity for Online Teaching
As demand for online and hybrid learning continues to grow, faculty development has become a critical success factor. Participating in targeted workshops is one of the most effective ways to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to design and deliver high-quality online courses. Faculty development opportunities generally fall into two key areas: technology (LMS tools) and online pedagogy (teaching strategies).
Learning the Technology: LMS-Focused Training
If your goal is to effectively use the tools in your Learning Management System (LMS), consider workshops focused on the platform’s functionality, such as Blackboard Learn or similar systems used at your institution.
Typical focus areas include:
- Communication tools (discussion boards, messaging, virtual classrooms)
- Assessment tools (quizzes, assignments, ePortfolios)
- Course management features (gradebook, analytics, student tracking)
These workshops help faculty efficiently navigate and leverage the digital environment to support teaching and learning.
Strengthening Instructional Practice: Online Pedagogy
If your focus is on teaching effectively online, pedagogy-centered workshops are essential.
Key topics often include the following:
- Designing engaging and interactive learning experiences
- Facilitating meaningful online discussions
- Aligning assessments with learning objectives
- Promoting student engagement and retention
These workshops emphasize instructional strategy over tools, ensuring that technology is used purposefully to support learning outcomes.
Learn by Experiencing the Student Perspective
High-quality workshops simulate the online learning environment, allowing faculty to engage as students.
Look for experiences that include:
- Active participation and collaboration
- Real-time and asynchronous interaction
- Hands-on use of tools and course elements
Avoid passive, self-paced tutorials that rely solely on reading. Effective preparation requires interaction, practice, and feedback.
Where to Start
- Begin with your institution’s teaching and learning center or distance learning unit.
- Explore available training aligned with your experience level and teaching goals.
- If internal support is limited, seek external programs, webinars, or professional organizations.
Evaluate options carefully to ensure they:
- Align with your intended teaching modality.
- Reflect current best practices.
- Include interactive and facilitated components.
Cost and Access
While some workshops require a fee, many high-quality resources are available at low or no cost, including:
- Institutional training programs
- Professional organizations and consortia
- Open-access webinars and online courses
Strategic Considerations
- Treat faculty development as an ongoing process, not a one-time requirement.
- Prioritize workshops that combine pedagogy and practical application.
- Align training with institutional standards and quality frameworks.
Value
Investing in professional development ensures that faculty are proficient with tools and equipped to design engaging, effective, and student-centered online learning experiences.
Additional resources