Overview

Join the Center for Teaching and Learning for the 2025 Online Course Design Bootcamp. This invite only two phase program starts with a day-long event on May 1, followed by a three week online experience designed to boost your online course to the next level.

Participants completing both phases of the bootcamp may be eligible for a stipend, depending on eligibility to receive overload pay according to University policy (e.g. 3/9ths rule, etc.).

The Online Course Design Bootcamp represents a partnership with the School of Professional Studies, Academic Affairs, and the Office of Undergraduate Education to create more online section availability for high-demand undergraduate courses to helps students to progress in their degrees.

Stipend

Eligible participants* who complete all components of the program will receive a stipend. Stipend amounts will be $2000 per eligible course and paid out in the June 30 paycheck.

*Stipends will be dependent on your eligibility to receive overload pay according to University policy (e.g. 3/9ths rule, etc.).

Phase I: May 1, 7:30-4:30pm, Fretwell 124

During the one-day Phase I event on Thursday, May 1, we’ll discuss what you need to be successful as an online faculty, current trends in online learning, and the unique needs of online students.

As a bonus for signing up, we’ll provide you with a new, easy-to-use Canvas visual design tool, Design Plus, to use in all of your classes to make them look better than ever. Not only does Design Plus help your classes look amazing, it also makes it easier and faster to build your class. Check out the Design Plus showcase from Cidilabs for more of an idea of what the tool can do.

As part of the sign-up process, we’ll ask you to share the URL of your Canvas course with us, so the CTL’s award-winning instructional design team can create a report that provides insights for possible course enhancements. The report will be provided to you on the day of the event.

The goal of the day is hands-on, guided course revision, so you leave with real, visible changes to take your class to the next level!

What You’ll Need

  • Please bring a laptop and a charging cable, as we will be using computers for most of the day and almost every session. Power will be available at each table during main sessions.
  • Bring a refillable water bottle
  • Pen & paper will be provided

Location

Main Campus: Fretwell 124

Schedule

*Schedule details may change prior to event – start end times will remain the same

7:30-8:00am: Registration open – Fretwell 124

8:15 -8:30: Coffee & Pastries | Welcome and Overview
Lynn Wahl, Director of Digital Learning Production
Fretwell 124

8:30-8:45: Online Learning @ Charlotte
Asher Haines, Associate Provost, School of Professional Studies
Fretwell 124

8:45-10:00: Session 1 – Paving the Way to Student Success With Learning Paths
Chris Muellenbach, Instructional Designer
Fretwell 124

10:00-10:15: Break

10:15-11:30: Session 2 – Make Your Course Beautiful in Three Easy Steps
Melanie Lewis, Instructional Designer
Fretwell 124

11:30-12:15: Session 3 – Designing For All Learners
Pariss Coleman, Instructional Designer
Fretwell 124

12:15-1:00: Lunch

1:00-1:45: Session 4 – Your Detailed Course Report
Lynn Wahl, Director of Digital Learning Production
Fretwell 124

1:45-2:00: Break | Snack and Drinks

Part of Term – Lightning Round A – Fretwell 124

2:00-2:30: Feedback via analytics – Dr. Jordan Register, Faculty Development Specialist

2:35-3:05: Media Development for Online Courses – Kory Trosclair, Instructional Media Designer

Part of Term – Lightning Round B – Fretwell 126

3:10-3:40: Using AI for Online Course Design and Development – Lynn Wahl, Director of Digital Learning Production

3:45-4:15: Course facilitation – Blair Stamper, Instructional Designer

Full Term – Lightning Round A – Fretwell 126

2:00-2:30: Using AI for Online Course Design and Development – Lynn Wahl, Director of Digital Learning Production

2:35-3:05: Course facilitation – Blair Stamper, Instructional Designer

Full Term – Lightning Round B – Fretwell 124

3:10-3:40: Feedback via analytics – Dr. Jordan Register, Faculty Development Specialist

3:45-4:15: Media Development for Online Courses – Kory Trosclair, Instructional Media Designer

4:20-4:30: Closing and Next Steps
Garvey Pyke, Executive Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
Fretwell 124

Phase II: May 12-June 6

After completing Phase I, an in person all day event on main campus, Phase II will move online for three weeks, with the goal of taking your course even further with the hands-on assistance of instructional designers.

Phase II will be a mix of synchronous online Zoom meetings and asynchronous guided course design work. The goal of Phase II is to make a positive impact on student experience in your online course.

Please note that you must complete the all-day Bootcamp in Phase I in order to attend and participate in Phase II.

Objectives:

  • Improve course facilitation strategies for managing your teaching load online
  • Set course pacing for optimal feedback strategies
  • Increase student engagement with course materials and activities
  • Create activities, assessments, and materials that work together for student outcomes

The three week experience will include topics on online design strategies, assessments, activities, student engagement techniques, online course facilitation, course pacing, feedback strategies, how to use Canvas analytics to revise your course design, and how to use AI to assist with learning objectives, material generation, and activity brainstorming.

Estimated Time Commitment

There will be a weekly 2-hour synchronous (Zoom) meeting with an expected 5-10 hours a week of independent homework, where you will work to implement identified improvements to your course.

The estimated time commitment for Phase II is a total of 21-36 hours from May 12-June 6.

Schedule & Important dates

*Synchronous session scheduling may change prior to event – program start and end times of May 12-June 6 will remain the same

Week 1:

  • May 12, 10-12pm OR May 15, 1-3pm: 2-hour synchronous session (Zoom) – participants need only attend one.
  • May 13-16: Independent guided course enhancement

Week 2:

  • May 19, 10-12pm OR May 22, 1-3pm: 2-hour synchronous session (Zoom) – participants need only attend one.
  • May 20-23: Independent guided course enhancement

Week 3:

  • May 28, 10-12pm OR May 29, 1-3pm: 2-hour synchronous session (Zoom) – participants need only attend one.
  • May 29-30: Independent guided course enhancement

Final Deliverable:

  • June 5: Reflective piece covering changes made, planned changes, and identification of other needed supports
  • June 6: Stipend payments submitted to departments for June 30 payment