The Office of Academic Outreach offers the following professional development for UM faculty.
The Online Teaching Endorsement (OTE)
Instructors who are interested in teaching online will need to obtain endorsement. Registration is open year round. Complete the Online Teaching Endorsement to be endorsed for online teaching at UM. See specific completion deadlines for online courses scheduled for Academic Year 2022-23.
| Online Course Offering | Completion Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall I and Fall 2022 | August 8, 2022 |
| Fall II 2022 | October 19, 2022 |
| Winter Intersession 2023 | December 13, 2022 |
| Spring I and Spring 2023 | January 9, 2023 |
| Spring II 2023 | March 14, 2023 |
| May Intersession 2023 | May 1, 2023 |
| Summer I and Summer 2023 | May 16, 2023 |
| Summer II 2023 | June 15, 2023 |
| August Intersession 2023 | July 17, 2023 |
The Online Teaching Endorsement (OTE) is designed for instructors who are new to online teaching as well as existing online instructors, and offers the experience of an online student. The goal of the OTE is to familiarize online instructors with the pedagogical concepts of effective and engaging online teaching and learning, as well as to give them hands-on experience in designing and developing their online course. The OTE is offered fully online in Blackboard Learn.
The OTE consists of four modules:
- Online Teaching & Learning
Focuses on student-centered learning, the theory of online teaching, and standard practices. - Course Compliance
Focuses on compliance and UM policies in relation to online education. The module also provides information on available technology at UM. - Course Design
Focuses on designing learning activities and assessments that align with the learning objectives. - Course Development
Focuses on applying the theory of online teaching and design into practice. Candidates will create course components in their assigned sandbox.
At the end of the OTE, participants will have completed their online course syllabus, designed and developed a portion of their content, assessment, student communication, and interaction components in their assigned Blackboard sandbox. Support from Academic Outreach instructional designers is available throughout the program.
OTE Registration
Registration is open year round. Courses are available online 24/7 on UM Blackboard.
Newly hired instructors with asynchronous online teaching experience at another higher education institution could be exempt from up to two modules. The Online Faculty Prior Experience Questionnaire is included in the registration form. Instructors who have taught an online course for three consecutive semesters within the past three years are eligible for exemption.
Successful OTE participants receive an Award of Completion and are endorsed to teach online at the University of Mississippi. We recommend that prospective online instructors enroll in the course at least one semester before they plan to teach online for the first time.
Contact April Thompson at athomps5@olemiss.edu for more information.