SPOT-ON: Self-Paced Option for Teaching Online Now
CTAL, in partnership with the Library, Museums, and Press and UD-Online (Professional and Continuing Studies), created SPOT-ON to support instructors designing or redesigning online courses or course that include an online component. SPOT-ON is open to all who teach at UD as well as those who simply want to learn more about good online course design.
SPOT-ON: Self-Paced Option for Teaching Online Now
What are the benefits of a self-paced open course?
An open Canvas course site is more dynamic than a static website, and allows us to present our course content in a way that looks much like your Canvas courses would to enrolled students (minus a few features like the discussion board). You’ll be able to access our course materials, watch videos, and review any content as many times as you need throughout the coming weeks. If you need targeted support, you’ll find easy ways to reach out for assistance.
About SPOT-ON
SPOT-ON is a self-paced, “open” Canvas version of the Teaching Online Together program. Just like in TOT, participants will be able to review the principles of backward design and learn how to apply them in an online setting. Our program includes structured self-reflection grounded by the specific context of your course, and well as an opportunity to review and expand your approach to teaching online. Many of these elements will help you develop flexibility and intention beyond a single course and throughout all of your teaching be it online, hybrid or in-person.
SPOT-ON contains 5 instructional modules, and 3 resource modules.
Instructional Modules
- Backward Design
- Authentic Assessment
- Scaffolding and Sequencing
- Communication and Alignment
- Access and Equity
Resource Modules
- Student Resources
- Resources for Online Instructors
- Course Materials
You can return to pages as many times as you want and access modules in any order.
The Teaching Online Together program is co-designed and supported by the Center for Teaching & Assessment of Learning, the UD Library, Museums and Press, and UD Online.
Is SPOT-ON the right opportunity for you?
SPOT-ON is great for instructors in a variety of teaching situations. Here are some questions that SPOT-ON might help you answer:
- What do I do about my traditionally administered final exam (e.g. Scantron sheets…) in an online or hybrid class?
- How can I organize my learning activities to adapt to different teaching situations in the fall?
- I haven’t chosen a textbook yet; how can I figure out what to do online if I don’t have a textbook adopted?
- What kinds of student engagement work best in Canvas?
- How can I customize Canvas to reflect my teaching style?
- How can my students productively collaborate in an online environment?
Whether you are considering joining SPOT-ON or not, you already have access to the customized this SPOT-ON Course Development Checklist to see where your course currently stands and where additional support would be most beneficial.
How do I join SPOT-ON?
SPOT-ON is open to all UD faculty members with teaching responsibilities, as well as graduate students and postdocs. This self-paced program is an open Canvas course and can be accessed using the this link:
Comments or Questions should be directed to Matthew Trevett-Smith, Director, Center for Teaching & Assessment of Learning mtrevett@udel.edu.
SPOT ON Checklist
Use the SPOT-ON Course Development Checklist to see where your course currently stands and where additional support would be most beneficial.
Comments from
Past Participants
Learning how to engage students in better authentic assessments [was most valuable.] Learning new ways to rethink assessment in an online environment. The leadership team is incredible and everything is valuable!
I have taught online several times, but the SPOT-ON course allowed me to think more strategically and methodologically about how I was preparing for the fall.