With the increased popularity and quality of online programs and courses, many traditional universities (brick and mortar campuses) that once exclusively offered face-to-face classes have expanded their curriculum to include hybrid and online classes.

This is not a surprising trend when considering the busy lives and schedules of people today. People have families, work full-time, or have other situations in life that place strict limits on their time. The flexibility of on-line learning allows students to have greater control by attending classes on their individual schedules while providing the benefit of career enhancement. This is important because an increasing number of employers only hire and promote people with college degrees.

Colleges have realized the development of online courses is essential and a priority for recruitment and retention. To support this, beginning in fall 2016, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) full-time faculty members submitted proposals to develop a new online course or to convert an existing class to an online or hybrid format. Stipends were awarded to 10 members of IUPUC faculty to develop eight online classes beginning spring 2017. Of the eight classes, two are new classes, and six are converting existing classes to an online format. 

These courses will provide additional opportunities for students to complete degree requirements as well as leverage the unique expertise of some of the IUPUC faculty. According to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gary Felsten, “These stipends will support faculty in developing high-quality online courses that help students complete majors, minors, concentrations, and certificates. Most of the courses have no prerequisites, making them accessible to most students.”

Sally Jamerson, the Senior User Education Specialist at IUPUC’s Center for Teaching and Learning, commented on supports available for faculty. She stated, “In an effort to support the IUPUC faculty in developing online courses, the Center for Teaching and Learning is collaborating with IUPUI to deliver an online class that will provide modules in online course design including course planning, backward design, active learning, content development, and course structure. The objectives of the course are to provide the faculty with experience from a student’s perspective while learning how to design and deliver
a high-quality online class. Additional workshops and consulting will also be given.” 

Listed are the IUPUC faculty members receiving grants
Division of Liberal Arts

• Anna Carmon and Kristen Cole, G201 - Communication Theory
• Scott Desmond, J101 - American Criminal Justice System
• Lewis Dibble, L214 - Literary Masterpieces II
• Aimee Zoeller, W105 - Introduction to Women’s Studies

Division of Science

• JD Mendez, C105 - Principles of Chemistry 1
• Cheryl Warner, G563 - Foundations of Mental Health Counseling

Division of Mechanical Engineering

• Julie Mendez, ME20000 - Thermodynamics

Division of Nursing

• Cheryl Crisp and Kathy Auberry, Disability and Advocacy Across the Lifespan