Professional development Communities and opportunities list below significantly support my research. These programs and communities offer structured self-reflection and feedback mechanisms to help improve teaching methods and enhance the learning process. They also provide access to a wide range of resources and a network of experts, which can improve my understanding of best practices in online education and support the continuous improvement of my instructional design strategies, which are crucial for my research on enhancing online learning environments. Engaging with these communities promotes collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas, which is essential for staying updated with the latest advancements in the field of learning sciences. Please note that the list below is in no particular order and it will grow and expend as overview time.
The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) Program is an extensive three-level instructor development program that forms the basis for various professional development activities. This workshop promotes self-reflection and evaluation of teaching methods, with feedback emphasizing the learning process rather than the lesson content. The effective feedback skills developed during the workshop are valuable not only for classroom teaching but also for educators’ routine institutional tasks. (About | Instructional Skills Workshop Network, n.d.)
QM Quality Matters “is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. Promote and improve the quality of online education and student learning nationally and internationally through 1) Development of current, research-supported, and practice-based quality standards and appropriate evaluation tools and procedures. 2)Recognition of expertise in online education quality assurance and evaluation. 3) Fostering a culture of continuous improvement by integrating QM Standards and processes into organizational plans to improve the quality of online education. 4) Providing professional development in the use of rubrics, tools and practices to improve the quality of online education. 5) Peer review and certification of quality in online education” (Quality Matters, n.d.).
EDUCAUSE “is a nonprofit association whose mission is to lead the way, advancing the strategic use of technology and data to further the promise of higher education” (EDUCAUSE, n.d.).
BC Campus “enhances the B.C. public post-secondary education sector by facilitating and sharing innovative teaching and learning approaches on behalf of the sector and in support of Ministry mandates. BCcampus identifies and cultivates sector-wide efficiencies by providing opportunities and mechanisms to enhance collaboration, openness, and transparency“ (BCcampus, n.d.).
STLHE SAPES (Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) “is a diverse and vibrant community composed of those committed to excellence in teaching and learning in higher education. The Society supports the collaboration of educators and students in sharing expertise, resources, and innovative ideas to develop skills and knowledge that enhance teaching and learning in classrooms, labs, and institutions across Canada” (Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, n.d.).
EDCC-CDPC (Educational Development Community in Canada) “is a practical, scholarly and open community that is a network of people engaged in educational development in a variety of roles and post-secondary contexts. Our organization offers a space to share emerging resources, questions and ideas, and to engage in scholarship, community and the pursuit of better learning and greater equity. We are a community with decades of history in a new form” (EDCC-CDPC, n,d.).
Other communities may contribute to
ICDE – International Council for Open and Distance Education
CAID – Canadian Association of Instructional Designers
ETUG – Educational Technology Users Group
CAUCE –
UPCEA –
OTESSA
CSSE