Program Overview

Online Instructor Professional Development

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) requires online instructors to complete professional development to ensure they are equipped to provide high-quality online education.

Initial Professional Development

Instructors who have taught online at UNCG before January 2020 do not need to complete any of the initial professional development requirements. New online instructors, however, must complete the initial professional development prior to their first semester of teaching online.

• Instructors who are in transition or have a compelling reason for a grace period will be expected to complete one of the initial professional development options in their first online semester.
• If instructors do not complete the required professional development, they will not be removed from their course, but they will not be allowed to teach online again until they complete the necessary requirements.

Alternative Documentation

New UNCG instructors with prior training, extensive experience teaching online, and other qualifications may take an alternative approach to meeting the initial professional development requirement by completing the Alternative Documentation of Professional Development for Online Instruction form.

Ready to Teach and Canvas Learning Management System Training

Instructors can complete Ready to Teach (RTT) and Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) training to meet the initial professional development requirement.

• Ready to Teach is hosted in Canvas Catalog and takes about 30 minutes per module or 2 hours in total.
• The Canvas LMS training course estimate is 1.5 hours for each of the 5 modules, but the actual time may vary depending on the participant's prior knowledge and experience.

Continuing Professional Development Opportunities

UNCG instructors are required to complete one of the continuing education opportunities listed in the procedures document every three years.

• Instructors who would like to submit a continuing professional development option that is not listed may complete the Alternative Documentation of Professional Development for Online Instruction form.
• Alternative Documentation submissions will be reviewed by the CPD workgroup, the unit's Academic ITC, and/or the instructor's Unit Representative.

Documentation of Completion

All professional development opportunities provide documentation of completion, such as a badge or certificate. Instructors will submit documentation materials using the Online Instructor Professional Development Documentation Submission Form.

Next Steps

After completing one of the initial or continuing professional development options, instructors will submit their documentation using the Online Instructor Professional Development Documentation Submission Form.