This paper reports on the design, development, delivery and evaluation of an
online continuing professional development (CPD) course in the area of online
teaching by three Irish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). The course was
developed in the context of a nationally coordinated effort to promote CPD of
those that teach in Higher Education through digital badges. Survey results
suggest a very high overall satisfaction rate with the course as a whole,
increased levels of knowledge and confidence in relation to teaching online,
and also intended transference to practice. While the external motivator of
demonstrating engagement through the digital badge arose in the surveys and
focus groups, it did not feature particularly strongly. Implications for CPD are
discussed in relation to internal and external drivers and motivations around
CPD for higher education teachers, and the need for opportunities for
participants to interact and engage in the manner reminiscent of a community
of practice approach.