We are proud to announce that our redesigned Online Teaching Certification Seminar (OTCS) has received the Exemplary Endorsement from the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), a global leader in setting standards for high-quality online learning. This endorsement is an industry-recognized credential, similar to a badge or microcredential, underscoring the exceptional quality and impact of our program. The redesigned OTCS was piloted with 30 University of Missouri System instructors across the University of Missouri-Columbia, the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Missouri-St. Louis during the Fall of 2024.
Recognition for quality and innovation
The OLC’s endorsement follows a thorough evaluation based on its standards of professional development rubric, which examines course structure, accessibility, technology, learner support and other crucial factors. This recognition affirms our commitment to providing faculty with effective, meaningful professional development designed for modern online teaching environments.
Meet the team behind the redesign
This achievement would not have been possible without our talented design team: Bryant "Laz" Lazenby, Manon Allard-Kropp, Asmaa Albadawi, Javier Caride, Elmer Ragus, Liz du Plessis and Tina Fox. Each team member contributed unique insights and expertise to develop a program that empowers faculty with tools and strategies for student-centered, engaging online instruction.
What’s new in the redesigned seminar?
Our newly redesigned seminar goes beyond foundational teaching skills, offering updated content that reflects current trends in online education. Some key updates include:
- Expanded content on topics like Universal Design for Learning (UDL), accessibility and AI-driven assessment strategies.
- Interactive and practical activities to help participants immediately apply course concepts, fostering a hands-on learning experience.
- Improved visual and course design to enhance engagement and clarity, aligning with modern digital learning preferences.
The original seminar provided essential training for online instruction, focusing on basic principles and tools. Our redesign, however, emphasizes a more robust approach that includes topics like active learning, authentic assessment and fostering community in online environments. This deeper dive supports faculty in creating courses that are both engaging and accessible for diverse learners.
Looking forward: Expanding our OLC-endorsed programs
Our next steps include seeking OLC endorsements for our other faculty development programs, such as the Online Teaching Recertification Seminar and our Sprint mini-courses. Each program reflects our mission to equip faculty with the skills and resources they need to excel in online teaching.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey. We’re excited to keep advancing our programs and empowering our faculty with the highest standards of professional development.
Author
Bryant Lazenby, M.Ed.
Laz is a lifelong learner and technology lover who joined Missouri Online as an instructional designer in July 2021. He is a Level 2 Google Certified Educator with over 10 years of teaching experience in secondary and post-secondary education and is currently working on a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Lindenwood University where his research is in incorporating gamification strategies into the classroom. He was born and raised on a farm that has been in his family for over a century located northwest of Sedalia, Missouri, where he lives today. When he isn’t in front of his computer, he can generally be found reading or attending local painting classes.
