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UIS Online
For over 20 years, UIS has been a leader in Online Education. More than 50 programs at UIS are taught entirely online. Learn more about our online programs through our hallmarks and our online education fact book.
Teaching Resources
The Center for Online Learning, Research and Service (COLRS) provides support in the areas of faculty development, instructional design, and learning theory as it relates to the use and exploration of technologies to enhance online learning.
Services
COLRS is here to serve and support faculty and staff at UIS. Our staff is happy to meet with you in our space, your office, or virtually.
Instructional Tools
When constructing and expanding an online course, the technologies that faculty can incorporate provide endless learning possibilities for students and creative course design opportunities for faculty. COLRS provides tools to help you evaluate and enhance your online course design including Cidilabs DesignPlus and the UIS Online Course Quality Assurance Rubric. In addition, COLRS supports technologies that enhance or support your online course, including Harmonize, Respondus Monitor, and Turnitin.
Staff
Meet Our Staff
Emily Boles
Chief Online Learning Officer and Director
Emily joined COLRS in 2006 and moved into the COLO role in 2025. She provides one-on-one consultations, developmental trainings, and support for instructors to enhance online, blended, and hyflex teaching.
Official UIS News
U.S. News & World Report ranks UIS online bachelor’s degree programs among the best in the country
The University of Illinois Springfield’s online bachelor’s degree programs have been ranked 29th best in the country (out of 358 institutions) by U.S. News and World Report. The 2022 rankings put UIS among the top 10 percent of best online bachelor’s degree programs in the United States.
Center For Online Learning, Research and Service
COLRS is the home for the study and application of online learning pedagogy, technology, and effective practices at UIS.
As professor emeritus and senior fellow at the University of Illinois Springfield and senior fellow at the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), Ray Schroeder is a leading expert in higher education and online learning. With decades of experience teaching, leading, curating, and writing, Ray brings unmatched knowledge and passion to the conversation around emerging technologies and the future of education.
Digital Resource Accessibility Policy
The purpose of this Policy is to maximize accessibility to UIS digital materials and resources for individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws and University policies. For purposes of this Policy, “accessible” means a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.