Abstract
The Digital Teaching Champions initiative is a faculty‑led effort to strengthen online teaching at Fort Hays State University through small, presence‑focused course design changes. Grounded in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework and aligned with DigCompEdu and ISTE standards, the Engage & Elevate model invited faculty from multiple disciplines to redesign a single online activity to enhance social, cognitive, or teaching presence. Over one month, participants implemented changes such as restructured discussions, revised peer review prompts, micro‑lectures, and clearer communication plans, then gathered student feedback and met for a summit to share outcomes. Early findings suggest that targeted, manageable changes can increase student connection, clarify expectations, and deepen engagement while fostering a cross‑disciplinary community of practice around digital teaching.
Department/Program
Applied Business Studies
Submission Type
in-person poster
Date
4-11-2026
Rights
Copyright the Author(s)
Recommended Citation
Dolechek, Rachel; Haag, Latisha; Stramel, Janet; and Heronemus, Jessica
(2026)
"Engage & Elevate: Strengthening Presence in Online Courses,"
SACAD: Scholarly Activities: Vol. 2026, Article 114.
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad/vol2026/iss2026/114
