About the Center
COLRS is the home for the study and application of online learning pedagogy, technology, and effective practices at UIS. The team at Center for Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS) strives to empower UIS instructors in the delivery of distance education, support original scholarly research in online learning, and build collaborations to improve student learning. The Center:
- Disseminates effective practices, technology tools, and applied research to enhance of current online education practices.
- Empowers the UIS faculty in the delivery of online courses, degrees, and certificate programs.
- Provides support for scholarship of teaching and learning.
Online learning at the University of Illinois Springfield began with the establishment of the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning (OTEL) in July 1997 with a grant from the U of I Online. In December 2008, UIS received approval to establish the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service. Since 1997, UIS has moved to the forefront of institutions engaged in online learning and the uses of technology in instruction.
UIS is a member of the Online Learning Consortium (OLC), the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET), and the Illinois Council on Continuing Higher Education (ICCHE).
Learn about the hallmarks of the UIS Model of Online Education.
Learn more about COLRS through our Annual Impact Reports.