Apply now to join the Fall 2024 Design4Online faculty development program!

Design4Online is a cohort-based faculty development opportunity offered each fall through Distance and Online Education. This comprehensive program assists instructors at all experience levels in the design or redesign of an online course through the implementation of effective online teaching and learning practices and pedagogy. 

Faculty Development Program

This faculty development program offered by Distance and Online Education empowers instructors to:

  • Create student-centered online learning environments.
  • Design engaging course materials and media.
  • Explore strategies to build instructor presence.
  • Align courses with national quality assurance standards for online learning.
  • Engage in conversations that shape online teaching and learning practices at IOWA.

Program Components

Design4Online includes three main components that encompass instructor learning, course development, and community building.

  • Design4Online Course Experience – The Design4Online course is an 8-week online course experience where faculty interact with online pedagogy and practice. The course includes weekly zoom meetings where faculty members address topics related to online learning strategies and challenges. Meetings are complemented by required online learning modules with content and activities faculty complete to implement effective online pedagogy.
  • 1-1 ID Consultations – Participants are assigned an instructional designer who will provide individual course consultations to facilitate online course design and development.
  • Community of Practice – Engage in a collaborative community of practice to explore leading online pedagogy, practices, and research.

Become part of this innovative professional community! Watch this quick video to see what prior participants have to say about their D4O experience.

Program Requirements

Requirements for acceptance in the Design4Online program include:

  • Completion of an application form, which includes a Statement of Interest.
  • DEO approval to teach a fully online course in the upcoming academic year.
  • Commitment to develop a new online course or revise an existing online offering.
  • Commitment to offer the developed course online a minimum of three times.
  • Commitment to actively participate in the 8-week program, to attend each of the virtual (zoom) training sessions, and to complete all assigned online activities.
Week 1 – Online OrientationTuesday, September 101:00-2:30 pm
Week 2 – Begin with Learning ObjectivesTuesday, September 171:00-2:30 pm
Week 3 – Online Instructional StrategiesTuesday, September 241:00-2:30 pm
Week 4 – Assessment ApproachesTuesday, October 011:00-2:30 pm
Week 5 – Mapping your ICON CourseTuesday, October 081:00-2:30 pm
Week 6 – Digital Media in Online CoursesTuesday, October 151:00-2:30 pm
Week 7 – Inclusive Mindset in Online EducationTuesday, October 221:00-2:30 pm
Week 8 – D4O Project PresentationsTuesday, October 291:00-2:30 pm

 

Program Rewards

Upon program completion, participants:

  • Receive a $1000 taxable program stipend (paid in full following program completion).
  • Receive leadership and mentoring opportunities through continued engagement in the Design4Online Community of Practice.
  • Collaborate with an instructional designer to complete the development of your online course.

Application Process and Timeline

Fifteen instructors are selected to participate in each fall cohort. Participants are notified of selection and confirm participation by email.

All Iowa instructors interested in online teaching may apply. Priority is given to instructors who plan to teach a fully online course during the upcoming academic sessions. Applicants who are not chosen to participate in the 8-week program can still request Instructional Design Consultation Services for their online course and/or apply for future Design4Online offerings.

Application Period OpensApplication Period ClosesInstructors Will be NotifiedFaculty Confirm Participation by:
March 18thApril 12thMay 1stMay 10th