The Learning Technology Center (LTC) hosts Winter and Summer Institutes for Online/Blended Teaching. These institutes serve as introductions to best practices in online and blended course design and facilitation. Though these institutes do address specific tools, inside and outside of the learning management system (LMS), the focus of the institute is on research and practices in online teaching and learning, rather than on learning to use specific tools. By completing the institute, instructors can receive a badge.

In the past, basic knowledge of using the tools in the LMS has been viewed as a prerequisite for enrolling in the institutes. Though this might change slightly during the transition to Canvas (Please see the Canvas Migration Portal here for more information on that transition: http://www.uww.edu/icit/ltc/canvas-portal), in general some previous knowledge and experience using online teaching tools, such as tools in a LMS, is viewed as necessary in order to successfully complete the institute.

Participation in these institutes is competitive, as more instructors typically apply than can be supported in a given offering. However, by offering the institute twice a year, the LTC tries to accommodate as many instructors teaching online and/or blended in this institute as possible.

If you are interested in applying for the institute, be on the lookout for calls for participants on this blog in the future. If you are in need of one-on-one help with your online or blended course to close out the current Fall 2017 semester, consider registering for the LTC’s Saturday Instructional Development Event in December.