Teaching and Learning Online Badge Program

Programs & Services

The Teaching and Learning Online (TLO) micro-credential program allows faculty at 91¿´Æ¬ to develop skills and competencies, collaborate with a community of colleagues, and showcase practices related to teaching and learning in the online environment. ÌýThis program is open to all faculty of any rank, title, and discipline.

As participants engage within each level of the program, they will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers, engage with research and resources, develop activities and resources applicable to their own teaching practice, and increase their knowledge, skills, and confidence with navigating the current landscape of teaching and learning online at 91¿´Æ¬.Ìý

The program offers three levels of engagement, complete with digital badges to visually represent the earned micro-credential. Learn more about each badge level below.ÌýÌý

TLO Foundational Badge - Level 1 "The Developer"

Description: The Teaching and Learning Online (TLO) Foundational Badge provides professional development opportunities for faculty interested in learning about how to effectively and creatively teach online courses. As participants engage with TLO Short Courses, they will work through content related to various topics centered in foundations of online learning. As a product of their experience and to demonstrate their learning, participants will create an artifact focused on something impactful they learned and plan to apply to their teaching practice.Ìý

The foundational level will always fun during the summer months (late June- early September) to accommodate faculty schedules. It will be entirely asynchronous online with majority of the learning activities taking place in Canvas.Ìý

Program Learning Outcomes:

Faculty will be able to…ÌýÌý

  • Define online learning in the context of their own personal teaching philosophy.Ìý
  • Identify foundational qualities to the online learning experience.ÌýÌý
  • Analyze foundational approaches for delivering course content and engaging learners in the online environment.Ìý
  • Develop a new approach, technique, or skill to be applied to their own online teaching practice.ÌýÌý

Earning Criteria:Ìý

  1. Complete the TLO Foundation Short Course
  2. Complete 2 TLO Elective Short Courses
  3. Submit ArtifactÌý
  4. Attend End of Year Event (not required but encouraged)

The following images represent each of the skills gained in the Foundational Badge program

instructional planning
instructional delivery
online learning icon
digital accessibility icon
pattern hero

Earn Your Foundational Badge

Need more information before applying? Schedule a consultation with a Faculty Developer in the OTL to discuss program requirements and expectations.Ìý

TLO Intermediate Badge - Level 2 "The Explorer"

Description: The Teaching and Learning Online (TLO) Intermediate Badge provides professional development for faculty interested in exploring teaching topics related to online learning more deeply. As participants engage in a Community of Practice (CoP), they will connect and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines through monthly synchronous sessions focused on online learning topics of interest. As a product of their experience and to demonstrate their learning, participants will create an artifact focused on something impactful they learned and plan to apply to their teaching practice.Ìý

The intermediate level will always run during the academic year (late September to early May). The engagement will take place through synchronous meetings via Zoom.Ìý

Learning Outcome(s):

Faculty will be able to…ÌýÌý

  • Engage in critical and productive discourse on current practices and trends for online learning with colleagues across disciplines.Ìý
  • Analyze evidence-based and innovative approaches for delivering course content and engaging learners in the online environment.Ìý
  • Develop, pilot, and reflect on new and creative approaches to teaching and learning online.ÌýÌý

Earning Criteria:

  • Complete TLO Level 1Ìý
  • Participate in Community of Practice (CoP) – Attending at least 5/8 sessionsÌý
  • Submit ArtifactÌý
  • Attend End of Year Event (not required but encouraged)Ìý

The following images represent each of the skills gained in the Intermediate Badge program

collaboration icon
communication icon
reflection icon
online learning icon
hero pattern

Earn Your Intermediate Credential

Need more information before applying? Schedule a consultation with a Faculty Developer in the OTL to discuss program requirements and expectations.Ìý

TLO Advanced Badge - Level 3 "The Specialist"

Description: The Teaching and Learning Online (TLO) Advanced Badge challenges faculty to consider changes to online teaching, whether within the context of their individual course or at the program/unit/department level. Participants will be required to design and implement a project of their choosing related to a topic of interest in online teaching and learning.ÌýÌý

Participants who complete the TLO Advanced Badge are highly encouraged to apply for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Faculty Fellowship program.ÌýÌý

Learning Outcome(s):

Faculty will be able to…ÌýÌý

  • Reflect on their practice, philosophy, and experiences with teaching online to identify an area of specialization.ÌýÌý
  • Conduct independent research to develop a deeper understanding within their specific area of specialization.ÌýÌý
  • Design and implement a project that advances current trends or practices for an area of online teaching and learning at the course or program/unit/department level.ÌýÌý
  • Present on their learning experience related to their new area of specialization, summarizing key insights from their personal project.ÌýÌý

Earning Criteria:Ìý

  • Complete Level 1 and Level 2Ìý
  • Attend a Series of Meetings with the FacilitatorÌýÌý
  • Intake MeetingÌý
  • Mid-Project Check-In MeetingÌý
  • End-of-Project Wrap-Up MeetingÌý
  • Complete TLO ProjectÌý
  • Educational experienceÌý
  • Intendent researchÌý
  • Project design and implantationÌý
  • ±Ê°ù±ð²õ±ð²Ô³Ù²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²ÔÌý
  • Submit ArtifactÌý
  • Attend End of Year Event (not required but encouraged)ÌýÌý

The following images represent each of the skills gained in the Advanced Badge program

reflection icon
research icon
project design icon
project implementation
presentation icon
pattern

Earn Your Advanced Credential

Need more information before applying? Schedule a consultation with a Faculty Developer in the OTL to discuss program requirements and expectations.Ìý

TLO Badge Earners

Foundational

Heather Martin | University Writing Program | 2024

Keely Gohl | Daniels College of Business | 2024

Namrata Chatterjee | Department of Geography & the Environment | 2024

Brad Benz | University Writing ProgramÌý´¥Ìý2023

Carrie Olson | Morgridge College of EducationÌý´¥Ìý2023

Clayton Kuklick | Graduate School of Professional PsychologyÌý´¥Ìý2023

Kathleen Novak | Daniels College of BusinessÌý´¥Ìý2023

Mei Yin | Department of MathematicsÌý´¥Ìý2023

Michael Gallagher | Department of Communication StudiesÌý´¥Ìý2023

Stefan DuBois | Center for World Languages and CulturesÌý´¥Ìý2023

Intermediate

Clayton Kuklick | Graduate School of Professional Psychology | 2024

Michael Gallagher | Department of Communication Studies | 2024

Advanced

Coming soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why would I want to participate in this program?

    Participation in the TLO program is encouraged for faculty who are interested in learning evidence-based approaches to teaching online. This program is ideal for faculty who teach primarily online, however, faculty who want to incorporate more online components for their face-to-face courses can engage deeply throughout this program as well.Ìý

  • When is the best time to apply?

    For the Foundational Badge, cohort applications are open in April/May for the Summer Cohort.Ìý

    For the Intermediate Badge and Advanced Badge, applications are open in August/September.

  • Do you have any recommended pathways through the program?

    Absolutely! The best way to accurately and thoughtfully recommend a pathway for faculty would be through an individual consultation. Prior to this consultation, you will be asked to do some reflective work around your online teaching goals. During the consultation, an OTL staff member will walk you through a recommended plan.Ìý

  • How long is this program expected to take me to complete?

    Foundational = 2-3 months or 10-12 hours per course

    Intermediate = 7-8 months or 1.5 hours per month

    Advanced = 3-6 months or 20-30 hours for the project

  • What professional development funding is available?

    Completers of each badge level for the TLO program will earn a digital badge. Stipends are not guaranteed, but sometimes available for short course completion.Ìý

  • How might I choose which short courses to complete for the Foundational Badge?

    Visit our for a complete list of course descriptions, outcomes, and deliverables. You are also welcome to sign up for an to help identify which courses might best suit your professional teaching goals.Ìý

  • I've completed the program, now what?

    Continue engaging with the OTL. See our to find upcoming opportunities.Ìý

OTL Short Course Catalog

The following includes our available short courses. Follow the link to our Short Course Catalog, or click on the courses below that interest you most. There, you will find detailed information about the course description, intended learning outcomes, expected deliverables, and other relevant information.Ìý

Faculty are welcome to take the short courses in any sequence and at any time. If you want to engage with the badge program, you must apply before completing a short course. You will not be able to receive a badge by retroactively applying the earning criteria.ÌýÌý

.Ìý

Have additional questions? Reach out to the Faculty Developer of Online Learning, Lexi Schlosser.Ìý