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UA Teaching Academy

Excellence in Online Teaching

The Excellence in Online Teaching course equips educators with the knowledge and skills to excel in the current digital education landscape. This updated version of the course will be offered in 12-week intervals and facilitated by a UATA team member. Participants will have the option to work ahead at their own pace. All who complete the course will earn a digital Excellence in Online Teaching badge. Participants will have the option to complete one-hour “Create” assignments in each module to earn additional digital badges in four areas: Online Teaching Foundations, Building Connection, Engaging Students, and Assessing with Purpose.

The University of Alabama Teaching Academy - Assessing with Purpose in Online Teaching - OTIDE.
The University of Alabama Teaching Academy - Building Connection in Online Teaching - OTIDE.
The University of Alabama Teaching Academy - Engaging Students in Online Learning - OTIDE.
The University of Alabama Teaching Academy - Laying the Foundation in Online Teaching - OTIDE.

Audience

All UA faculty, staff and graduate students are eligible to register.

Dates

  • Fall 2025: Sept. 2 – Nov. 21 (registration closes Sept. 5)
  • Spring 2026: Jan. 18 – April 17 (registration closes Jan. 21)
  • Summer 2026: TBD

Length

~12 hours (one hour per module)

Course Learning Objectives

  1. Identify strategies to build organized, engaging, and accessible online courses.
  2. Describe techniques that allow students to build connections with the instructor and with each other.
  3. Explain approaches to encourage student engagement and interaction in online learning.
  4. Develop efficient assessment strategies that are manageable for the instructor and contribute to student achievement of desired learning outcomes.

Unite and Module Topics

Unit 1: Laying the Foundation

Focus: Course design, content creation, and accessibility.

  1. Design for Clarity
  2. Create Compelling Content
  3. Ensure Accessibility

Unit 2: Building Connection

Focus: Instructor and learner presence and community

  1. Craft a Teaching Persona
  2. Communicate Clearly
  3. Cultivate Community

Unit 3: Engaging Students in Learning

Focus: Student interaction and engagement strategies

  1. Prioritize Active Learning
  2. Make Online Discussions Matter
  3. Consider AI

Unit 4: Assessing with Purpose

Focus: Feedback, evaluation, and learning measurement

  1. Assess for Learning
  2. Give Wise Feedback
  3. Grade Efficiently

Registration

Registration for the fall 2025 Excellence in Online Teaching course is closed. Check back in November to register for the Spring 2026 cohort.