Faculty Training

The Value of Training for Online Teaching

As higher education continues to evolve, the ability to teach effectively in online and hybrid 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.

To be eligible to teach a hybrid course at UNM, instructors must complete the Regular and Substantive Interaction (RASI) training. Those teaching online courses are required to complete the Evidence Based Practices for Teaching Online training.

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 a hybrid 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.