Research-supported practices for teaching online include a mix of strategies specific to the online environment and strategies relevant for any modality. This page offers a collection of resources to support online teaching and learning at UCSB. Click on a topical heading to see the list of available resources. Many of the documents and web pages provide a succinct introduction to foundational topics as well as links to explore the topic further. You may need to log in to your UCSB account to access resources.
- Online Course Format Options - summary of course modalities and definitions at UCSB
- Process for Developing an Online Course at UCSB - explanation of each stage of course design and development for the 2026-2067 academic year
- Campus Resources for Teaching Online - a brief overview of the role of different campus partners that can assist with building an online course
- Beginning and End of Course Checklist - essential tasks to complete in Canvas when setting up a new course site
- Course Feedback & Improvement - strategies for collecting information mid-course and at the end of your course
- Online and Hybrid Course Questions for ESCI - questions included in the end-of-course evaluations for all online courses at UCSB
- Learning Outcomes & Assessment - tips for writing learning outcomes and planning formative and summative assessments
- Academic Integrity - strategies for promoting academic integrity, including consideration of meaningful assessment and artificial intelligence
- AI in Teaching and Learning - CITRAL guides on best practices for teaching in the age of AI
- Feedback & Grading - overview of Canvas grading options and settings
- Testing in Online Courses - strategies for maintaining academic integrity and validating student work, particularly in response to the rise of generative AI.
- Synchronous Online Learning - recommendations and resources for optimizing Zoom class sessions
- Zoom Meeting Activities - strategies for maximizing student engagement and active learning using Zoom's integrated features.
- Zoom Session Template from UCoP - model lesson plan for a live Zoom session focused on small group discussion and whole-class debriefing
- Contingency Plans for Zoom - ideas for managing common technical issues during zoom sessions.
- Regular Substantive Interaction & Active Learning - Defines best practices and ideas for promoting RSI and active learning in the online environment
- Building Community Online - provides strategies to build community and communicate effectively in an online course
- Ways to Establish and Maintain Instructor Presence - ideas to establish class climate, demonstrate presence, and connect with students
- Setting Community Guidelines Online - quick introduction to establishing shared expectations
- Tips for Group Work in Online Courses - advice and resources for group assignments
- Course Orientation - outlines key activities to complete during the three phases of launching an online course
- Inclusive Design - introduction to inclusive and accessible course design along with a curated set of resources to learn more
- Accessible Course Content - webpage from UCSB’s Instructional Applications Group with a collection of trainings, resources, and tools to help instructors
- Best Practices for Audio/Video Content Development - provides advice and resources for planning and creating media recordings
- Panopto/Gauchocast Engagement Features - introduces interactive features and tools for recording videos
- Intro to Using Gauchocast Comments - explains how to utilize the video commenting feature of Panopto in Gauchocast to allow students to tag comments throughout a video.
- Course Site Design & Technology - guidance for designing and consistently organizing an online course site using the Canvas framework
- Tech Selection & Contingency Planning - key questions to ask when selecting third-party technology and ideas on how to prepare for potential technical failures
- UCSB Canvas Best Practices and UCSB Canvas Support - web pages from UCSB’s Instructional Applications Group with a curated set of Canvas resources, including links to download site templates