Faculty Training
The Value of Training for Online Teaching
As higher education continues to evolve, the ability to teach effectively in online environments has become an essential skill. Participating in training programs such as Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Online (EBPTO) and Regular and Substantive Interaction (RASI) equips instructors with the tools and strategies needed to create engaging, inclusive, and pedagogically sound online learning experiences.
These trainings not only help faculty meet regulatory and institutional requirements, but also empower them to design courses that foster meaningful student interaction, promote active learning, and support academic success. Whether you are new to online teaching or looking to refine your approach, training provides a strong foundation for delivering high-quality education in digital spaces.
Emphasizing Regular and Substantive Interaction (RASI) in Online Education
Prioritizing regular and substantive interaction (RASI) is not only a hallmark of effective online teaching—it is also a regulatory requirement essential to maintaining the quality and compliance of our academic programs. Research consistently highlights the critical role RASI plays in promoting student engagement, satisfaction, and success in online learning environments.
In alignment with these findings, the U.S. Department of Education mandates that instructors provide students with meaningful and consistent opportunities for interaction within online courses. Failure to implement these essential components may result in a course being reclassified as a correspondence course, which does not meet the standards of distance education.
Such misclassification carries serious consequences. Most notably, it puts the University at risk of losing eligibility for Title IV federal financial aid funding. Ensuring that RASI is embedded in every online course is therefore both a pedagogical best practice and a compliance imperative.
RASI is required to teach an online course. To access the training, search for Regular and Substantive Interaction Training in Learning Central.
Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Online (EBPTO)
Offered multiple times throughout the year by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching Online (EBPTO) is a six-week training open to all instructors, regardless of course delivery format. While participation is encouraged for anyone interested in enhancing their teaching skills, it is required for those developing courses within Accelerated Online Programs (AOP). Instructors who completed a comparable training prior to Fall 2019 are strongly encouraged to enroll in EBPTO to ensure alignment with current best practices and regulatory standards.
The Center for Teaching and Learning maintains the schedule of upcoming workshops. For more information or assistance, you can also contact the CTL team at teachingsupportctl@unm.edu.
Foundational Course Design Review
The Foundational Course Design Review is a structured process that supports faculty in developing high-quality online courses. It ensures that course design aligns with best practices in online pedagogy, accessibility, and student engagement. It provides faculty with constructive feedback and resources to enhance course effectiveness and consistency across UNM Online offerings.
Why It Matters
For faculty teaching online, this process is essential to:
- Ensure courses meet institutional standards for quality and accessibility.
- Promote student success through clear structure, engaging content, and inclusive design.
- Provide a framework for continuous improvement and innovation in online teaching.
- Align course design with accreditation expectations and strategic goals of UNM Online.
Faculty who participate in the review gain valuable insights and support that strengthen their teaching and improve the student learning experience.
