Overview
The Foundations of Canvas Course Design 1.0 (Foundations 1.0) training is a resource to assist faculty in becoming dynamic instructors in the online course modality. Developed by Los Rios Online Course Design Coordinators with consultation by the Learning Management System (LMS) coordinators, the asynchronous training can be completed in approximately 15 hours over the course of two weeks, and is facilitated by a faculty member with extensive experience teaching online. This training meets the district's new minimum standard for distance education preparation referenced in section 4.4.3 of the LRFCT 2023-2026 Contract.
Faculty choosing to accept an assignment in distance education modes of instruction shall demonstrate preparation to teach in these modes by meeting a minimum eligibility requirement. The district shall provide a standard distance education professional development training opportunity for faculty to meet this requirement. Completion of the training can be applied towards tenured and tenure-track faculty FLEX, college service obligations, or one unit of class advancement. Adjunct faculty can choose to be compensated for completion of the training through either a non-load attributable stipend, for 15 hours of training at the Schedule B rate, at the Class II, Step 1 placement, one unit of class advancement, or to meet FLEX obligation.
Faculty participating in this training, or those who have taught an online course for any of the four Los Rios colleges, are eligible to teach online across the District. Faculty may teach an online course in the same semester/term in which they participate in the professional development training, but must complete the training within the first 50% of the course schedule.
All faculty are eligible to participate in the training program, regardless of prior experience teaching online, given available space/funding. Priority for participation will be given in the following order:
- Faculty with an online assignment who do not meet the minimum eligibility requirement
- Faculty with an online assignment who meet the minimum eligibility requirement and want more training
- Faculty considering a future online assignment.
The requirement goes into effect as of January 1, 2021.
Foundations 1.0 is a two-week course that is entirely online. There are no mandatory meetings for this course.
The training consists of five modules:
- Week 1
- Module 0 – Course Guide and Orientation
- Module 01 – Using Canvas
- Module 02 – Employing Regular, Effective, and Substantive Contact
- Week 2
- Module 03 – Applying Universal Design for Learning and Accessibility
- Module 04 – Developing Assessments
Training Compensation
Faculty who complete the Foundations 1.0 training are eligible for compensation. Full-time faculty who complete the course are eligible for College Service credit, flex credit, or one unit of class advancement. Adjunct faculty can choose to be compensated for completion of the training through: a non-load attributable stipend for 15 hours of training at the Class II, Step 1 placement on the Faculty Salary Schedule B-2 and B-3; one (1) unit of class advancement; or flex credit.
Prequalification for the one (1) unit of class advancement is not required. Individuals who complete the training by August 12 will receive one unit of class advancement for the fall semester. Class/salary advancement is applied only once per year. Faculty at Class IV and Class V of the salary schedule do not qualify for class advancement.
| Completed on or Before* | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| August 12 | October 10 |
| October 14 | December 10 |
| December 2 | February 10 |
| March 14 | May 10 |
| May 14 | July 10 |
- * Stipends for new faculty will be paid on the first variable payroll after their start date.
Faculty should consult with their division office to record their college service and flex obligation hours.
Course Completion List
Note: you must be logged in via Single Sign-On to view the list of faculty who have completed the course.
Apply
Faculty are enrolled in training cohorts on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to:
- Faculty with an online assignment who do not meet the minimum eligibility requirement.
- Faculty with an online assignment who meet the minimum eligibility requirement and want more training
- Faculty considering a future online assignment