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Faculty Support Courses and Training

In addition to the courses listed below, the offices of Distance Education, Learning Technologies, and Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning all provide individualized support as well as additional workshops, forums, symposia, short courses and tutorials on a wide selection of topics.

The Certification/Qualifications Course is a 4.5 week scheduled asynchronous course in Blackboard, offered twice each semester. Level 1, Level 2 and Hybrid courses are self-paced. Goals and completion tasks are set in the development of the Work Plan. Faculty registering for these courses agree to complete the negotiated tasks, which are largely self-identified, before receiving any compensation.


Online Certification / Qualification Course

Offered at least once per semester and in the summer. 4 - 5 Week time commitment. Check the schedule for the next available session.
A online, asynchronous required course for all faculty new to online teaching. Highly recommended for any and all other faculty interested in online teaching. Completion required (or waiver needed) for entry into the Level 1 and Level 2 programs.


Prior certification or a waiver by the Director of Distance Education is required to enter Level 1 or Level 2 programs.
Level 1 for New Online Course Building
The UpOCC Level 1 program is for faculty needing to build a new online course. Upon entering this program, you will work with an instructional design resource on campus to build your online course using the applicable guidelines and rubrics for good online course design and best practice models.


Level 2 for Existing Online Course Redesign and Improvement 
The UpOCC Level 2 program is designed for faculty already teaching an online course. In this program, your course will undergo an appraisal, with specific recommendations made for improvement. A work plan is created that will serve as a list of agreed activities and changes to complete before awards are granted.


Certifiction not required, but familiarity and experience in Blackboard or online teaching is highly recommended.
Hybrid Course Design and Development 

The UpOCC Hybrid Course Design and Development is a new 6 week program aimed at helping faculty make the best use of blended online and face-to-face course design and practices. This is open to all faculty teaching or planning to teach a hybrid or "blended" course at Upstate. You need basic Blackboard skills or experience teaching online.


Online Modular Course Series  (Currently under development)

The UpOCC Modular Course Series is a new program that targets deeper development of specific areas of online courses. Modular course workshop sessions will require basic to intermediate level proficiency with the online teaching and learning environment. Modular Courses are 4 weeks in duration and self-guided, with optional in person sessions available on request:

  • Video Liberation; from capture to liberation of video materials.
  • Student engagement and active learning in the online course.
  • Zen of Learning Outcomes; explore what well-stated outcomes can do.
  • Alternative Assessment Strategies; non-typical ways to assess learning.
  • Using the Performance Dashboard to monitor student progress.
  • Showtime! advanced media and presentation productions for courses.
  • Peer to Peer assessment and course facilitation.
  • Using free and Open Educational Resources in your course.
  • TechSmith Relay for presentation/lecture capture.