Extended Education & Outreach
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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Lincoln, Neb., September 2, 2004 -- Since it began in 2002, the Summer Institute for Online Teaching (SIOT) has helped instructors from every college at UNL enhance their online teaching skills. This summer the Institute was offered to faculty at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for the first time and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Between the two campuses, more than 40 faculty members completed the five-week online program guiding them through the steps of course development, Web-based interaction, course management and online assessment. UNL participants also received a faculty development credit and will receive mentoring support during the 2004-05 academic year through their academic colleges, Instructional Technology Group and Extended Education & Outreach.

Through online activities, face-to-face meetings and weekly hands-on technology labs, experienced distance-teaching faculty and technology trainers assisted participants with developing Web-based instructional activities that foster critical thinking and promote student collaboration. Participants learn the techniques using the same tools hey may later utilize in their own class, such as discussion boards, chat sessions and online testing.

"I've taught online courses using Blackboard for several years, but I know I have utilized only a small fraction of the available Blackboard resources," said J. David Aiken, professor and water and agricultural law specialist in UNL's Department of Agricultural Economics. "The Institute was the first faculty workshop to demonstrate all of the distance learning opportunities it offers. It was also valuable to look at online courses taught by experienced, successful online instructors."

In addition to the learning aspects of the institute, networking is also key to the success of the program.

"The Summer Institute connected me with colleagues across the UNK campus and also with colleagues at other campuses within the UN system," said Dennis Potthoff, professor and chair of the Department of Teaching at UNK. The individuals who teach online, regardless of department or campus, are kindred souls. They need to share with each other, learn from each other, and console each other. I enjoyed the chance to interact with them."

Based on the success of this UNL/UNK collaboration, the groups are planning to work together again next summer and may expand the TA/GA Distance Learning & Technology certificate program to Kearney as well. The TA/GA program, which runs through much of the fall semester, allows faculty to nominate their graduate, teaching and research assistants to receive the training needed to assist in the development of their online courses. Faculty serve as mentors throughout the semester and take part in some of the sessions.

The Summer 2004 Institute for Online Teaching was sponsored by UNL's Office of Extended Education & Outreach, Instructional Technology Group and the New Media Center and UNK's Division of Continuing Education.

UNL faculty interested in participating in the next year's Summer Institute for Online Teaching or learning more about the TA/GA Distance Learning & Technology certificate program may contact Greta Glenn, Distance Education Services, at 472-4346 or gglenn2@unl.edu .