Faculty Resources
This page provides faculty with resources and guidance to support the design and delivery of high-quality online and hybrid courses. Chaminade’s Distance Education Guidelines (see below) inform course development across key areas including course structure, instructional tools, interaction, and assessment, and are aligned with accreditation standards and federal expectations for distance education. Faculty will also find course design resources, professional development opportunities, and support services to promote effective teaching and student engagement in the online learning environment.
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Course Design Guidance & Resources
Best Practices in Online Course Design and Delivery
Chaminade’s Distance Education Guidelines outline six core areas that inform effective online course design:
Each area includes specific elements that faculty are expected to incorporate into their courses to support quality, consistency, and student engagement.
These elements also serve as the basis for a faculty peer review process, in which courses are periodically evaluated using criteria derived from the guidelines.
Online Course Templates
A downloadable course template is available for import into Canvas, providing a foundational structure for online and hybrid courses in alignment with the Distance Education Guidelines. The template includes a sample homepage, organized weekly modules within the Modules tool, and other course components designed to support consistency in navigation, layout, and overall student experience across courses. See the CTL Vault to download the template. If you do not have access to the CTL Vault, please contact the CTL at [email protected].
Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)
Federal regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education, effective July 1, 2021, define the distinction between distance education and correspondence courses, with a focus on regular and substantive interaction (RSI) between instructors and students. Chaminade’s RSI Statement outlines expectations for the frequency and nature of instructor-initiated interaction in online courses. Faculty are encouraged to review the full statement to ensure alignment with these requirements.
Training & Professional Development
Growing with Canvas Workshop
The Growing with Canvas workshop provides a foundational introduction to the Canvas learning management system. Faculty are oriented to core tools and features, including Modules, Discussions, Quizzes, and the Gradebook, along with other functionalities that support effective course management and student engagement.
While many new faculty find Canvas intuitive to use, those who would benefit from a step-by-step introduction to the platform may find this workshop especially helpful. If you are interested in participating, please contact the CTL at [email protected] to request access.
Online Education Workshop
The Online Education Workshop is a comprehensive training for faculty teaching fully online courses at Chaminade University. Aligned with the University’s Distance Education Guidelines, this workshop addresses both the pedagogy of effective online teaching and the practical application of educational technologies to support course design and delivery.
This workshop is required for all full-time and adjunct faculty teaching online at the University. To gain access, please contact the CTL at [email protected]. Note that this training is compensated with a small stipend for adjunct faculty.
Peer Review
All fully online courses participate in a peer review process in which faculty reviewers from across the University provide formative feedback. Reviews are based on established criteria aligned with the Distance Education Guidelines and are intended to support continuous improvement in course quality and student learning experiences. For questions about the peer review process, please contact [email protected].
Just-in-Time Support and Individual Consultations
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers ongoing, just-in-time support and individualized consultations to assist faculty in developing and enhancing their online teaching practices. Faculty may request support for instructional design, educational technology (including Canvas, Canvas Studio, and Turnitin), and related areas. To schedule a consultation or request training, please contact the CTL at chaminade.edu.
If you have any quesitons or need assistance, please contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at [email protected] or (808) 739-7477.