Participants will learn some simple tips and tricks to enhance the look and flow of your course and identify best practices for quality course design. We’ll also discuss techniques for creating a meaningful social presence in the online classroom in order to enrich students' learning experience.

"In this session, participants will: 1. Understand the relationship faculty presence in online classes has on student success and engagement. 2. Identify several techniques faculty can adopt to maximize presence in their classes. 3. Effectively utilize communication features in the Learning Management System to engage students 4. Employ basic html and design tools in their online courses to make the learning experience more manageable and user-friendly."

The topic of faculty presence in online courses is an important one. The release of the U.S. Department of Education OIG Audit of Western Governors University in September 2017 citing lack of "regular and substantive interaction" between students and their instructors sent shockwaves throughout the distance learning community. Aside from that, faculty presence directly impacts student success & achievement, increased engagement, and decreased attrition. and effective course design have a direct impact on student success. This presentation demonstrates some easy-to-follow ideas and suggestions on how faculty can maximize their presence in their online courses, as well as employ basic instructional design techniques and free tools to make their courses more effective and 'learner-friendly.'