TAs and adjuncts shouldn't have to step into online courses without a game plan. Discover how course-specific Instructor Orientation Modules create a shared playbook, boosting instructor confidence and sustaining quality across courses. Join this session to explore examples and design strategies that strengthen collaboration and elevate online teaching and learning.

TAs and adjuncts shouldn’t have to step into online courses without a game plan. Yet adjuncts, teaching assistants (TAs), and other faculty who take on existing online courses are often tasked with leading instruction with little preparation, particularly when course shells are pre-developed and enrollment is high. Without structured guidance, instructors may struggle to navigate the learning management system, locate teaching materials, or apply consistent grading and communication practices. The result can be inconsistent student experiences and gradual “course drift,” where design intentions, assessment rigor, and learning outcomes become diluted over time.

This session explores how learning designers use practical, sustainable strategies to prevent that drift and preserve the quality and alignment of the course as it was originally designed. Instructor Orientation Modules embedded directly within the course shell provide just-in-time guidance on navigation, grading workflows, communication norms, and the use of instructional materials and technology tools. These modules can also include practical supports such as pre-semester checklists, video walkthroughs, or sample announcements to help instructors prepare efficiently and teach confidently from the start.

By situating resources directly in the course shell, new instructors gain immediate access to what they need in the same environment where they teach. Students benefit from greater consistency and clarity across sections, while programs preserve alignment and quality, particularly in courses taught by multiple instructors or across semesters. This approach addresses a growing need in online education by helping instructors deliver high-quality courses that remain true to their design intentions.

While many institutions provide onboarding or teaching guides, these are often external, static, or disconnected from the actual course environment. Embedding instructor guidance within the course transforms onboarding from a one-time orientation to an ongoing, design-integrated process that preserves rigor and consistency across iterations.

Interactivity and Engagement

Interactivity will be central to this session. Attendees will examine sample orientation modules, reflect on their own institutional challenges with onboarding instructors, and participate in a guided design activity.

The session will begin with a short reflection and poll to identify common onboarding challenges such as inconsistent grading, unclear communication expectations, or technology hurdles. Presenters will then showcase examples of Instructor Orientation Modules built within Canvas, highlighting varied approaches to structure, tone, and interactivity. Examples will include components such as quick-start guides, grading workflows, orientation checklists, and embedded technology tutorials. Participants will analyze what makes each example effective in reinforcing course alignment and learning outcomes.

Next, participants will engage in a short design activity. Using a guided worksheet, they’ll sketch one section of an onboarding module for their own context—such as a navigation overview, grading process outline, or communication expectations summary. The prompts will help participants determine the key information new instructors need early on and how to communicate it effectively for continued success.

The session will conclude with a brief peer exchange. In small groups, attendees will share their drafts, offer feedback, and brainstorm ways to integrate planning tools or technology resources. To close, each participant will identify one concrete action they can take after the conference, whether piloting a module, revising an existing course, or partnering with their design team to scale the idea.


Key Takeaways

Attendees will leave with three key takeaways:

1) Identify why orientation modules matter. Analyze the challenges instructors face in pre-developed or multi-section online courses and connect them to strategies that improve quality, consistency, and alignment.

2) Design effective orientation modules. Create clear, actionable, and easy-to-maintain resources that support new instructors and enhance course quality.

3) Scale orientation modules across contexts. Apply methods to adapt these modules for high-enrollment or multi-instructor courses while maintaining shared standards and reducing onboarding time.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with a solid foundation for their onboarding resources and a clear plan for embedding them within their own online course shells. This practical, hands-on session equips attendees with templates and strategies they can immediately apply to strengthen instructor support and sustain course quality across programs.

Join us to explore a practical model for maintaining course integrity and alignment in online programs through thoughtful instructor onboarding. By embedding guidance directly into course design, every instructor becomes empowered to teach with confidence while supporting high quality standards that make online learning effective and consistent.

Marta Slaughter

Learning Designer at University of South Florida-Main Campus

Marta received her M.F.A. in Studio Art from the University of South Florida. She has over 10 years of higher education teaching experience, having taught multiple courses in the subjects of art and art history, both online and in-person. Drawing upon her hands-on experience in the virtual classroom, she began working in instructional design and helped develop learner-centered content for various universities and private institutions prior to joining Digital Learning in 2022. Marta enjoys applying her skills in visual design to create engaging digital content for faculty and students, with quality and accessibility in mind.

Daniel Jordan

Learning Designer at University of South Florida-Main Campus

Daniel earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Florida and his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Instructional Design from the University of Florida. He has worked as a faculty developer and instructional designer for 5 years. He joined the team in 2022 and brings with him 12 years of K-12 teaching experience. Daniel enjoys collaborating with faculty to create innovative and meaningful learning experiences through the utilization of modern pedagogy.