OLC/QM Online Workshops
QM/OLC Workshops Program
The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) supports all UHD faculty in advancing their professional development through the QM/OLC workshop program. This initiative provides faculty with opportunities and stipends for online teaching workshops offered by Quality Matters (QM) and the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), leading organizations in online education. Faculty (tenured, tenure-track, non-tenure track, and adjunct) can receive approval to register for up to two workshops per year, as budget allows, each with a $150 stipend. Select your workshop and submit the application below to apply!
About QM & OLC
Quality Matters (QM) is a globally recognized leader in ensuring excellence in online and hybrid courses. With a research-backed framework and rigorous peer-review process, QM provides standards and feedback for online courses that enhance student engagement and success. Its workshops provide faculty with practical strategies to improve course quality, enhance engagement, and elevate the overall learning experience.
The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is a leading organization dedicated to advancing the quality and accessibility of
online education. Through innovative research and professional development, OLC empowers
educators to create engaging, student-centered learning experiences. Its workshops
provide faculty with practical strategies to enhance course design, integrate emerging
technologies, and foster meaningful online interactions.
Available Workshops
Choose available workshops through the QM and OLC. For QM, select from “HE TOC Workshops” and “Higher Ed Tabs.” For OLC, choose any except Mastery Series and Certificate programs. Workshop dates are limited to only those beginning on or after September 1 and ending before June 30 of the current academic year. Once you've chosen a workshop, fill out the details in the application below - do not register yourself.
Recommended Workshops
Quality Matters
- Connecting Learning Theories to Your Teaching Strategies (February 11 - February 18,
2026)
Select teaching strategies based on learning theories. This workshop is part of the Higher Ed Teaching Online Certificate (TOC). Participants in this workshop will learn about several different theories of learning and how teaching strategies based on those theories can promote learning. - Creating Presence in Your Online Course (February 18 - February 25, 2026)
Describe how to create instructor, social, and cognitive presence in online courses. This workshop is part of the Higher Ed Teaching Online Certificate (TOC). Participants in this workshop will learn how to create three types of presence in online courses: instructor, social, and cognitive. - Assessing Your Learners (February 25 - March 04, 2026)
Assess learning in online courses and explain ways to assess teaching in online courses. Participants in this workshop will learn about assessing teaching and learning in the online environment. This workshop is part of the Higher Ed Teaching Online Certificate (TOC).
Online Learning Consortium
- AI for Collaborative Brainstorming (February 9 - February 15, 2026)
In this workshop, explore the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence. Participants will learn to employ design thinking techniques for brainstorming alongside leveraging human peers and generative AI tools to produce innovative ideas and course design solutions. By the end of the workshop, attendees will not only master the art of using generative AI for brainstorming but also gain proficiency in crafting effective prompts to maximize their creative potential. - HyFlex Learning Design with AI Tools (February 9 - February 15, 2026)
Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) learning provides opportunities for students to participate in classes either as a fully online learner, a classroom learner, or through any blend of participation modes. Students have the freedom and responsibility (agency) to choose a learning path that fits their situation, including their unique experience, progress, schedule, and personal commitments. Faculty (and supporting instructional designers) are challenged to design and deliver effective learning experiences across these flexible participation modes. In this workshop, you’ll begin designing your first HyFlex course, exploring how emerging AI tools and practices can support your design and teaching process. You’ll see and experience how AI can help you plan equivalent learning activities for each mode, streamline content development, personalize feedback and interaction, and enhance the learning experience for students in all participation paths. - Essentials For Online Faculty (February 23, 2026 - March 01, 2026)
An essential component of successful online teaching is experiencing online learning for yourself. This workshop will provide you with an important online learning experience as you explore the basics of online teaching and learning. You will learn the critical differences between online and face-to-face courses, including faculty and student expectations, role adjustments, and course design and evaluation. Your explorations will include research-based readings, presentations, and discussions with other new online teachers. There will also be an hour-long optional (recorded) live session where you will get a chance to meet your facilitator to discuss important topics related to online teaching and ask your questions. - Blended Learning: Creating Your Own Blend (Self-Paced)
This course focuses on examining various types of blended learning models and selecting one that allows you to meet your course goals and learning objectives. Promoting best practices in course design will assist teaching faculty members, instructional designers, and institutional executives develop a blended module design plan. The topics of the modules include a framework for blended learning, evidence-based best practices, and quality course design. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will have completed a module design plan that can be further built out and implemented at their respective institutions.
QM Teaching Online Certificate (TOC)
Interested in earning your QM Teaching Online Certification? Faculty may work toward their TOC by completing any two of these workshops in an academic year through the CTLE QM/TOC Workshops Program.
Quality Matters will issue the Teaching Online Certificate after completion of all seven workshops.
- Gauging Your Technology Skills
- Evaluating Your Course Design
- Exploring Your Institution's Policies
- Orienting Your Online Learners
- Connecting Learning Theories to Your Teaching Strategies
- Creating Presence in Your Online Course
- Assessing Your Learners
Though professional development grants for online education, workshops, training sessions, and consultations, the CTLE supports faculty in their efforts to improve online instruction at UHD by promoting best practices as delineated by the various sections of the UHD Rubric for Online Instruction.
Suggested Workshops Based on the UHD Rubric
Unsure of which workshop to take? We are happy to consult with you in advance of your application. Likewise, we encourage UHD faculty to consider the UHD Rubric for Online Instruction. By running a current course through the rubric in a self-assessment, faculty can then make more informed choices about workshop options to address particular instructional needs. By examining your course through the lens of our Online Instruction Rubric, you will inevitably find areas that have room for improvement. Please consult the Rubric walk-through page, as it connects faculty to potential learning opportunities offered through Quality Matters and the Online Learning Consortium. Contact the CTLE (ctle@uhd.edu) for more information on assistance with enrolling.
Before You Apply
Before you apply, create an account at OLC and/or QM using your @uhd.edu email. Workshop registration will not be processed without an account.
How To Apply
Submit the application form below to gain approval and funding for your workshop of choice.
Once your application is approved, we will send you further instructions to complete
the registration process. Do not register yourself until your application is approved.
Policies & Deadlines
- UHD faculty may receive funding and stipends for up to two workshops per academic year (September 1 – June 30).
- Apply at least one week before the workshop start date.
- Allow one week for application approval through the CTLE.
- You must complete one workshop before applying for a second.
- Please confirm your time commitment; registration is nonrefundable.
- Non-completion of two workshops results in ineligibility to apply for the remainder
of the academic year.
Receiving Your Stipend
You must submit your UHD employee ID number and certificate of completion using this form to receive a stipend: Submit Certificate Of Completion
Sending your completion certificate to another email address and/or not including your employee number will delay your stipend.
Stipend pay dates depend on your certificate submission. Please submit by these dates to receive your stipend by the next applicable pay date. Please see below:
|
Certificate Submission |
Estimated Pay Date |
|
Sept 1 – Dec 1 |
Jan 1 |
|
Dec 31 – May 1 |
June 1 |
|
May 31 – Aug 31 |
October 1 |
Questions
If any questions about these Professional Development Grants or the application process should be directed to the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, ctle@uhd.edu or x2724.