Download Report: Delivering High-Quality Instruction Online in Response to COVID 19: Faculty Playbook

For many in the higher education community, the notion that nearly every educator would
all at once be delivering their courses online seemed improbable, if not impossible. But here we are. In just the span of a few weeks, as a result of the rapidly spreading coronavirus, almost every postsecondary institution has either closed or rapidly moved face-to-face classes to “remote instruction.” For those moving online, the initial mantra was “make it run” in the interest of learning continuity, and for the benefit of students needing to complete courses and earn credits.

Today, as we’re transitioning into a new phase of planning for an uncertain summer and fall, we can be more thoughtful about how to deliver high quality online learning. On the positive side, online delivery as an instructional modality is not new. In fact, many colleges and universities have been developing and delivering successful online programs for years. Faculty have learned and shared valuable lessons through this process, and instructional design principles employed in online education can benefit learners in all course modalities.