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Summer Session Online Teaching Academy Application Now Live

Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Summer Session Online Teaching Academy (OTA). Faculty, instructors, lecturers and graduate students expecting to teach online in the upcoming Summer Session are eligible to apply. Participants will receive a one-time payment of $1,500 after successfully completing the program. Participants who have previously received the payment are not eligible to receive a second payment.

What is the Online Teaching Academy?

The Online Teaching Academy (OTA) is a four‑week virtual course that takes a holistic approach to course design, incorporating instructor reflection and expertise with the tools of backward design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and equity-minded teaching. 

You will leave the OTA with a syllabus and a course map for one week of your course that includes aligned, measurable learning objectives, assessments and materials. You’ll also gain strategies to humanize your course, strengthen instructor presence, create more engaging assessments and reduce barriers to access.

Course Structure

Each week, you will: 

  • review asynchronous learning materials,
  • attend a one-hour live Zoom session,
  • complete assignments that apply what you are learning to the development of your own course. 

During the live sessions, you will choose between two topics based on your interests and teaching needs, participate in a guided activity and exchange ideas with colleagues. Throughout the course, you will collaborate with instructors across disciplines and teaching formats, including online, remote, hybrid and in-person courses.

 You will also work with a cohort leader who will provide feedback, answer questions and help you apply course design strategies to your teaching context. After the course ends, your cohort leader will continue to serve as your Instructional Designer (ID), offering individualized course design support.

NOTE: This is not a course about AI in higher education. The principles of good course design don’t change with the emergence of AI; however, your cohort leader can recommend design strategies ranging from teaching without AI to incorporating AI into assessments. There will also be a discussion space for faculty to share thoughts and strategies on this topic throughout the course.

Online Teaching Academy Details

  • Course Session: February 1-28, 2027
  • Time Commitment: Four to six hours per week
  • Synchronous Zoom Meeting Times (One hour long, attend only one session per week, choose whichever time is more convenient)
    • Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. MST
    • Thursdays at 2 p.m. MST

How Do I Apply?

To apply for the OTA, complete the online application. After submitting the online application, ask your department chair to send an email verifying your summer 2027 teaching status to ota@colorado.edu.

The application deadline is December 1, 2026.