CAIT@WIU 
Distance Learning Process
Western Illinois University (WIU) launched an online initiative to increase online enrollment and provide additional educational access opportunities to students. In a true WIU team effort, the School of Distance Learning and Outreach, the Center for Application of Information Technologies (CAIT), and the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research (CITR) developed a competitive online course development process. This process encourages faculty to submit proposals wherein traditional classroom course sections may be developed into online formats.
The new online course development process is a competitive process that begins with an awareness campaign and a call for proposals. The course selection is based upon available funds and is aligned with the University Strategic Plan. The School of Distance Learning and Outreach has a committee that is responsible for selecting the courses that will be recommended to the Provost and Academic Vice President for online development. The committee considers (1) students' needs, (2) degree plans, (3) University Strategic Plan, (4) potential/historical enrollment, and (5) size of population served when making recommendations.
Once a course is selected for online development, the faculty is required to participate in "Best Practices in Teaching Online" to better prepare them to create and teach online courses. This online training is facilitated by Western Illinois University's Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research (CITR).
After faculty successfully complete the training, they are assigned to work with online course development experts within the Center for Application of Information Technologies (CAIT) and development of the courses begins. Once the course is fully developed and the required criteria met, the faculty member is compensated.
For more information on the distance learning process and to access the application or course requirement checklist go to the distance learning website.