The Foundations of Impactful Teaching (FIT) Program
The Foundations of Impactful Teaching (FIT) program is designed to empower UofL educators to create courses that maximize student success. Through an innovative “dual channel” approach, FIT offers the flexibility to choose the path that best aligns with your teaching style and goals.
Regardless of which track you choose, participation in the FIT Program involves completing an online, asynchronous course over a term, along with three scheduled meetings with an educational consultant. These regular check-ins provide personalized support and guidance to help you make the most of the program’s resources.
- Modality Inclusive Track
This track covers best practices for both digital and in-person teaching. You’ll build out a welcome module and at least one week of content for your course. The following semester, you’ll complete the rest of your course with continued support from the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. - Online Focused Track
This track is perfect for those solely focused on mastering online course design and facilitation. You’ll build a welcome module, at least one week of content for your course, and create a schedule for building out the remainder of your course.
Planning When to Complete the FIT Program
We recommend that all participants plan to complete the FIT Program at least two full semesters before teaching the course they plan to focus on as part of their participation in this program. This will allow participants the time necessary to apply the practices and strategies in the program to the design and development of their course.
Here is an example of an educator planning to design a class for the spring semester:
Which Track is Best for Me?
While both tracks of the FIT program offer participants the opportunity to explore important topics with an instructional consultant from the Delphi Center and result in earning UofL’s online teaching credential, there are differences between the two.
The chart below helps to illustrate some of the similarities and differences so that you can select the track that most closely aligns with your context and goals.
| Feature | Modality Inclusive Track | Online Focused Track |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Both face-to-face and digital teaching (e.g., online, blended) | Online teaching only |
| Consultant Support | One-on-one support with a Delphi Center educational consultant | One-on-one support with a Delphi Center educational consultant |
| Credential Earned | UofL’s "online teaching credential" | UofL’s "online teaching credential" |
| Requirements During Program | At minimum, the welcome module and one week of course content | At minimum, the welcome module, one week of course content, and the creation of a schedule to guide development of the rest of the course |
| Requirements After Program | Completion of full course design for review by Delphi Center consultants in the term after completion of FIT program | No additional requirements after program completion |
| Stipend Distribution | Two stipends will be distributed for participation in this track. 2. Distributed following the review of the fully designed and developed course by a Delphi Center representative The combined stipend amount for this track is higher than the single stipend distributed for the Online Focused Track | One stipend will be distributed following successful completion of the track |
| Time Commitment | You can expect to spend 2-3 hours per week on this program as you work through the asynchronous course elements. You are required to meet with an educational consultant three times over the course of the program for about one hour for each meeting. Those participants who are designing a new course without any pre-existing materials will likely find that they must spend more time on the asynchronous elements of the program. As part of the Modality Inclusive track, you will also submit your course materials after completing your course development for review in alignment with evidence-based standards. Further revisions to your materials may be required based on the designer’s review. | You can expect to spend 2-3 hours per week on this program as you work through the asynchronous course elements. You are required to meet with an educational consultant three times over the course of the program for about one hour for each meeting. Those participants who are designing a new course without any pre-existing materials will likely find that they must spend more time on the asynchronous elements of the program. |
| Future Support Services | Those who successfully complete this track will have access to a range of design and development services offered by the Delphi Center to support this and future courses | Those who successfully complete this track will have access to a range of design and development services offered by the Delphi Center to support this and future courses |
FIT Program Dates
The Spring 2025 program runs from January 6 through April 27.
The Summer 2025 series begins on May 26 and runs until August 10.
How Do I Sign Up for the FIT Program?
Ready to take the next step? The FIT Program is in high demand and spots are filling up fast. Spots will be assigned based on a variety of factors including course modality and when the course will be taught. Sign up to the FIT Interest Form and stay up to date on upcoming opportunities.