Online and Hybrid Certification Course

Course Description 

This six (6) week online course is designed to provide participants with the skills needed to deliver a high-quality online and hybrid course. Successful participants will also be able to teach effectively online through active facilitation and a variety of student engagement techniques and technologies. Prerequisite: Canvas Foundations (or equivalent) 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

1. Design learning experiences and policies for online and hybrid courses.
2. Build the navigation, structure, and learning materials for online and hybrid courses.
3. Determine evidence-based practices for teaching online and hybrid courses.

Required Materials 

Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes,

Flower Darby and James M. Lang, Print ISBN: 9781119544890 

Course-Specific Requirements

Participants will need access to GRCC accounts, including Canvas and e-mail. 

Assignments

This course is six weeks long. Each week ends on Sunday at 11:59 p.m. (EST/EDT). You must complete the course, including the assignments for all six weeks, for certification. This includes the completion of your peer review.

Participants will:

• Attend an optional Zoom session on Friday, 1-2:30pm.
• Watch the Zoom recording if they do not attend the live session.
• Complete all online assignments (e.g., reading, discussions, activities).
• Post content to a sandbox/template course in Canvas.
• Complete assessments or self-assessments.
• Conduct a peer review and submit a course evaluation.

Course Topics/Units

• Course Learning Outcomes 
• Module Learning Objectives
• Backwards Design 
• Course Maps
• Universal Design for Learning
• Copyright
• Online Assessments
• Online and Hybrid Syllabi
• Accessibility
• Learning Modules
• Course Menu and Settings
• Student Engagement
• Community Building
• Providing Feedback
• Student Success and Retention
• Learner Autonomy
• Critical Thinking and Reflection

Grading Procedures

• Discussions/Participation = 15 points x 6 = 90 
• Self-Assessments = 25 points x 6 = 150 
• UDL and Copyright = Complete/Incomplete
• Accessibility = Complete/Incomplete
• Peer Review = Complete/Incomplete

Grading Policies

There’s no passing grade/percentage for this certification. You need to demonstrate competency by completing all course requirements.

Late Assignment Policy 

If possible, e-mail me before the deadline if you need an extension. I’m flexible. You’ll need to complete all requirements before the course end date.

Course Attendance Policy

Attendance is measured by your presence in the online course, as well as the submission of assessments or other assigned work. Attendance is not the same as participation. Simply logging in does not contribute to the class. 

Participation

Participation is crucial to your learning and success in this course. Participation is defined as making quality replies to weekly discussions at least three out of seven days each week. Participation does not include emails, or posts to the “Ask Questions” forum (see rubric in course for more details).

Academic Honesty Policy 

Participants should submit their own work and properly cite sources (including any use of AI). 

Changes to the Syllabus

I reserve the right to change the contents of this syllabus due to unforeseen circumstances. You will be given notice of relevant changes through a Canvas Announcement, or through GRCC e-mail. 

Week One 

Module Learning Objectives

• 1.1 - Develop module learning objectives aligned to course learning outcomes.
• 1.2 - Align assessments to course learning outcomes.
• 1.3 - Plan learning experiences and instruction.        

Assignments

• Read Chapter 1 - Surfacing Backwards Design.
• Discuss Chapter 1.
• Complete Learning Activity on Course Maps.
• Get Feedback on your Course Map.
• Tour Sandbox/Template Course.
• Discuss Sandbox/Template Tour.
• Submit Self-Assessment 1.

Week Two 

Module Learning Objectives

• 2.1 – Revise campus syllabus for online or hybrid delivery.
• 2. 2 - Ensure course content is accessible.
• 2.3 - Post accessible syllabus and course summary.

Assignments

• Read Article.
• Discuss Article.
• Complete Learning Activity on Accessible Syllabi.
• Share Revised Syllabus.
• Post Revised Syllabus.
• Discuss Syllabus Experience.
• Submit Self-Assessment 2.

Week Three 

Module Learning Objectives

• 3.1 – Create a Learning Module.
• 3.2 – Utilize Module Tools.
• 3.3 – Publish Module Content.

Assignments

• Read Chapter 3.
• Discuss Chapter 3.
• Complete Learning Activity on UDL and Copyright.
• Share Plan for Learning Module.
• Build Learning Module in Sandbox/Template.
• Discuss Building Experience.
• Submit Self-Assessment 3.

Week Four 

Module Learning Objectives

• 4.1 – Organize course menu.
• 4.2 – Adjust Canvas course settings.
• 4.3 – Publish a Canvas course.

Assignments

• Read Article.
• Discuss Article.
• Complete Learning Activity on Course Organization.
• Share Organizational Plan.
• Organize Sandbox Course.
• Discuss Organizing Your Sandbox/Template.
• Submit Self-Assessment 4.

Week Five 

Module Learning Objectives

• 5.1 - Reflect on student engagement strategies in distance education.
• 5.2 - Incorporate community-building strategies.
• 5.3 - Provide meaningful feedback.

Assignments

• Read Chapter 2.
• Discuss Chapter 2.
• Complete Learning Activity on Teaching Online.
• Share Plan for Teaching Online.
• Build opportunities for engagement, community and feedback.
• Discuss changes to your Sandbox/Template course.
• Submit Self-Assessment 5.

Week Six 

Module Learning Objectives

• 6.1 – Create opportunities for student retention and success.
• 6.2 – Promote learner autonomy with course design decisions.
• 6.3 – Implement a framework for critical thinking and reflection.

Assignments

• Read Chapter 6.
• Discuss Chapter 6.
• Complete Learning Activity on Preparing Online Students.
• Build Welcome and Orientation.
• Conduct Peer Review.
• Discuss Peer Review.
• Submit Self-Assessment 6.
• Provide Course Feedback.