Siena Heights University’s Online Program Has One of the Top Faculty Training Programs in the Country

By Doug Goodnough—Special to the Daily Telegram

As education makes a rapid shift to more remote and online learning options during the coronavirus pandemic, Siena Heights University made the move to online instruction in 2004, and has been a pioneer in higher education distance learning.

In fact, Siena Heights has developed one of the top online faculty training programs in the country, according to the U.S. News and World Report. The prominent magazine ranked SHU’s online faculty training program first in the nation last year, and is third in the nation in the current rankings. SHU’s online bachelor’s degree program has also been nationally ranked by the U.S. News and World Report for seven consecutive years, including being the top-rated program in Michigan for the past four years.

So, just how do you train teachers to teach online? It’s like a “1,000-piece puzzle,” according to those who oversee SHU’s Online Program.

“The training piece is important, but there are many parts of the puzzle that bring forth a successful online program,” said Lori Timmis, SHU’s associate dean of the College for Professional Studies. “The breadth and depth of teaching experience from our full-time and adjunct faculty and the hard work and commitment from our staff significantly contribute to the program’s success.”

Timmis, who helped establish SHU’s Online program in its early years and oversee its growth, said the university established an Online Learning Advisory Committee in 2011 that led to developing an online teaching certification course for SHU full-time and adjunct faculty. The online teaching certification course established quality standards and best practices for online teaching and learning. Training and other professional development opportunities bring consistency in fostering a quality online experience.

“It’s a rigorous process,” said Dr. Cheri Betz, dean of SHU’s College for Professional Studies, where the Online Program is housed. “It prepares faculty for what it will be like in an accelerated online program. They experience what online learning will be like, not just as a faculty member, but as a student. We have high standards and we expect a quality outcome.”

The intensive two-month training course presents a unique approach that allows participants to engage as faculty and as students, creating a dynamic learning experience to help prepare faculty to teach online.

Dr. Betz said commitment to engagement in an online format is the heart of the online experience.

“You have to plan for engagement and assist students with time management,” she said. “There’s a lot of up-front and on-going development work that goes into teaching effective online courses and creating a successful online course. This results in a life-changing environment not just for our students, but for our faculty.”

Timmis said online course development is an ongoing one.

“Every time a training course is offered, a change is made to enhance the course,” Timmis said. “Our course instructors gather feedback from participants at the end of each training course, and make changes to further improve the learning experience. Online learning is continuously evolving, and we have to evolve with that, too, in online course delivery. It’s not just technology. It’s about instruction, engagement and continuous development.”

Dr. Betz said institutions that think they can make a “one-time investment” in online and remote learning will probably be disappointed in the outcome.

“It takes real dedication and vision and acceptance that it’s a learning process,” she said. “Siena was committed to this vision of online education 20-plus years ago. We have had dedicated resources to making that a reality every year. It’s not just fiscal dedication of resources, but human dedication. You can see that in our faculty and staff. They are highly committed to offering an outstanding experience in an online classroom. That has been reflected externally by our rankings in U.S. News and World Report.”

And she emphasized that online and remote education is not for everyone.

“Just because someone is excellent in the face-to-face classroom does not mean they will translate to being an excellent teacher online,” Dr. Betz said. “They have to adapt to teaching online, think on their feet, have a willingness to experiment and an innovative mindset. Monitoring feedback and managing the class on a very consistent and regular basis is imperative. You have to be engaged with the teaching and learning process.”