Online courses allow us to welcome more students whose work or family schedules are obstacles to taking face-to-face classes, or whose learning styles thrive in the digital environment. Learn more about online teaching:
Under our UF contract, instructors who teach online will need to take our district's Becoming an Effective Online Instructor (BEOI) course or submit evidence of equivalent training. Learn more about our online teaching trainings.
Online classes may be offered with synchronous or asynchronous elements. Learn more about synchronous and asynchronous instruction.
Online instructors typically email students the week before classes begin to help students understand how to get started in their online course.
There are additional points to add into your syllabus when teaching online, such as any requirements for technology and/or software.
Consider offering office hour(s) online via Zoom to replicate an on campus office hour. Video chat with students, share your screen, or have students share their screen.
Review DVC Online Best Practices for a checklist of equitable practices in online instruction.
Federal and state law requires online courses include regular and effective contact
- both between the instructor and students and among students. DVC Procedure 4003.02 defines our college policies and includes sample activities.
View the DE Committee's Camera-optional Recommendation to promote equitable virtual experiences and respect student concerns around privacy, safety, disability, and religious strictures.
View the DE Committee's Online Proctoring Recommendation (COVID-19), endorsed by the Academic Senate.
Due to complexities with FERPA compliance, a risk of lost course materials, and technology integration issues, DVC’s Distance Education Committee and Academic Senate recommend instructors do not combine sections on Canvas, except when courses are already cross-listed in the schedule and meet at the same times.
IMPORTANT: Please carefully review the DVC Canvas Combined Sections Recommendation for alternatives and instructions:
With the cost of college and student debt rising, utilizing high-quality, free teaching tools is a great way to support your students. Learn more about OER and grant opportunities.
If you leverage open educational resources over paid publisher content, make sure
students know by getting your course badged with the ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) symbol
in the online searchable schedule. ZTC means there are no textbook or digital material
costs for students. (However, other costs for physical materials such as a calculator,
lab, or art supplies may be required.) To get your class badged, follow the instructions
in Get Your ZTC Badge.
In Spring 2019, DVC's Academic Senate approved the CVC Course Design Rubric as a guide for best practices in online teaching. Would you like to participate
in a peer mentorship program to align your online course to the rubric? Apply to
DVC's Peer Online Mentorship Program (POMP), or learn more in Online Teaching Training.
Review (and give feedback!) on our 4CD Equity Rubric (draft) to learn about important strategies for creating equitable and inclusive online classes.
You can also join one of our Pedagogy Inquiry Teams by emailing Ian Thomas-Bignami at ithomasbignami@dvc.edu. Access support materials by self-enrolling in the Pedagogy Interest Team Canvas course. Log in with your InSite username and password when prompted to add this course to your Canvas Dashboard.
All online classes offered within the California Community Colleges have a common
entry point through the learning management system Canvas. Even faculty who supplement
their instruction through third-party resources must have students authenticate through
Canvas to ensure academic integrity.
Online instructors need to be aware of FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act) concerns in online courses, particularly around combined sections and Zoom.
Get familiar with FERPA in the DVC FERPA Quick Guide or FERPA Basics video:
View DVC's Graphic Design and Style Guide, where you'll find materials to help design your Canvas course. Examples include: