Quality Online Initiative Training

Training Overview

CETL, in collaboration with Academic Affairs and MSU Online, is offering this training to support the implementation of the online teaching standards on our campus.  The evidence-based program is informed by lead indicators for online teaching and learning practices that result in equitable high-quality learning spaces in reducing educational equity gaps and will support ART of Equity initiatives. This training series aspires to create a culture that supports excellence in online teaching, and grounded and aligned with the goals of Equity 2030 of Minnesota State, and Destination 2030 on our campus.

Goals and Purpose:

This training has several goals and purpose. Specifically the training will help to:

To promote equity and inclusion in online learning by reducing education equity gaps infused through the online course quality standards. This will help to promote a more inclusive and welcoming online learning environment, which will enhance student engagement and belonging, particularly for underrepresented and marginalized student populations.
To improve the quality of online courses based on online course quality standards that integrate best practices in online learning, meet compliance issues, and incorporate equity topics. The standard will be used to evaluate and improve online courses across the university.
To enhance teaching effectiveness by improving the quality of instruction and teaching effectiveness towards better student learning outcomes and increased student engagement and satisfaction.
To increase student success and belonging in online courses at Minnesota State Mankato by fostering a positive and supportive online learning environment.

Under the umbrella of ART of Equity, the professional development sessions and modules in this course will guide faculty to:

Understand equitable and inclusive language that guides excellence in online teaching and learning.
Apply the online quality rubric to online course planning, assessment, and evaluation.
Review an existing or create a new online course that meets or exceeds online quality standards and can be implemented in the upcoming semester.

Summer 2026 Course Format

The course will be available “asynchronously/self-paced style” on D2L for Summer 2026, starting April 1st until August 17th. Dates for Fall 2026 training will be available on Quality Online course website by Late June, or early July 2026.
A schedule of final course material review dates by CETL staff will be posted on D2L. Participants are required to complete all course work by these review dates, to be awarded a certificate.
Certificates and completion badges will be issued after CETL staff review and approve course material submitted for completion.
The D2L course has a total of 6 modules: 5 learning modules, and 1 module dedicated to course implementation and review.
There are short reflection activities for Modules 1 to 5, with Module 6 designed for submission of a D2L shell course for review by CETL staff. Module 6 is required for completion of this course. t

Quality Online Initiative Training dates for the Fall Semester will be published on June 30.