Guide to Developing a High Quality Online Course
NOTE: Some information might be a repetition / redundant (of what was in the Syllabus) but for distance students it is not considered as redundant and is helpful to have it at multiple places to draw their attention.
Course Home
Content Item / Requirements / Comments / ApprovedAnnouncements / Has a personal ‘welcome’ announcement -
(Uses ‘You’ instead of ‘Students’ to make itmore personal)
Start and end dates set for the announcement
Directs students to the ‘Syllabus’ and the Course Requirements and Grading.
Introduces the specific tools used in the course helping your students explore the course web site.
Has a statement reminding students to complete ‘Student Orientation Tutorial’ course.
Continues with regular (weekly) announcements throughout the term to address general questions.
Additional announcements are controlled by dates throughout the term.
Course Home Introduction / Welcome includes instructor background and contact information (also located in syllabus).
Provides additional course description and an overview of the course goals.
Inserted a personalized audio or video introduction of the purpose and structure of the course to students.
Virtual Office / Has a Virtual Office in the course for students to post their course related questions and instructor to post answers, which will benefit other students who have similar questions.
Has a statement when to expect responses for questions – within 24 – 48 hours.
Has a statement encouraging students to respond to each other’s questions. (However, instructor must check to be sure answers are accurate.)
Due Dates / Also includes due dates with assignments listed.
Includes instructions for submitting assignments/exams.
Student Ethics Statement / Has the content item “ICCOC Student Ethics Statement”.
Library Resources / Has the Library Resources Content Item and encourages students to use this resource.
Online Tutoring / Has the Online Tutoring Content Item and encourages students to use when needed.
Course Unit
Comments / ApprovedLanding Page / Introduces the Unit with a short overview with a description of the topics covered in that Unit.
Explains and outlines the following throughout the unit:
- learning activities
- assignments
- assessments
Unit objectives and/or competencies have measurable outcomes.
Statement of expectations from students in order to successfully complete objectives/competencies.
Aligns course objectives with specific activities and assessments. Example: The writing assignment in Week 1 satisfies course objectives 2 & 3.
Unit Objectives / Objectives and competencies are clearly defined and measurable and written from a student’s perspective.
Objectives and competencies are referenced and identified throughout the lectures and activities of the unit.
All assessments relate directly back to the stated objectives and competencies with feedback given to students on their understanding of the objective.
Unit Objectives must directly relate to overall Course Objectives/Competencies listed in the syllabus.
Clearly written instructions and examples are given to explain HOW to meet the learning objectives or competencies.
Content and Instructional Materials
Comments / ApprovedInstructional Content / All courses must have two graded assignments submitted in the first 2 weeks of class for financial aid purposes.
Course materials are presented through visual, textual, kinesthetic and auditory activities to accommodate multiple learning styles.
Instructional materials are directly tied to unit and course objectives/competencies.
All items match the descriptions outlined in the ‘Course Requirements and Grading Criteria’ section of the syllabus.
Has directions for each learning activity – includes word limit, where to submit etc.
Student-to-Student Interaction is included in activities as well as Student-to-Faculty Interaction.
Content items that utilize a variety of instructional media such as audio, video, and gaming are included throughout the class.
A variety of well-developed opportunities for student learning with practice opportunities and engage the learner in the learning are included in every unit.
Assignments that use the Dropbox for submission are clearly labeled and instructions for format and submission are included.
Discussions and Participation / Has ‘Student Introductions’ discussion item in Week 1
Has clear instructions that Discussions have two parts: Initial Student Response & StudentParticipation.
Initial Student Response: Includes expectations for initial response to discussion question(s).
Student Participation: Includes expectations for active engagement with the content and interaction with peers.
Topics: Includes 2-3 thought provoking / research oriented / personal experience type ofquestions or topics for discussion.Not to respond to questions by providing direct answers from the textbook alone
Instructor Presence: Has a statement indicating that the instructor will be part of thediscussion as a guide / mentor so that students will be more likely to engage in the discussion.
Has Start and End dates are set for every discussion
Assessment / Assessment methods are directly related to the stated course objectives or competencies.
Has at least 2-5 graded assignments / assessments per week to keep the students engaged with the course material. (Not including Discussions)
Uses of multiple forms of assessment throughout the course with clearly defined expectations.
May include: collaborative projects, self-assessment, demonstrations, multi-media presentations and discussions.
Deadlines, expectations and points possible are clearly defined and posted in multiple areas of the course.
Anti-plagiarism software (Turnitin) is used for written assignments.
Exams are composed of question pools where possible, to ensure online students have equivalent but different online tests.
Overall Instructional Design
Comments / ApprovedCourse is well-organized and easy to navigate.
Consistency from unit to unit in structure and organization.
Content is made available to students in manageable segments or "chunks" (e.g. organized by weeks, units, chapters).
Course schedule (calendar) is summarized in one place and clearly identifies overall plan of the course.
All links used in the course are accurate and up-to-date.
Color and texture do not overpower the course information.
Sufficient contrast between text and background makes information easy to read.
Design keeps course pages to an appropriate length with a balance of white space.
Images are used in course design to support course content.
Spelling and grammar are accurate.
Course makes effective use of online instructional tools.
Course materials are presented using appropriate formats compatible across computer platform (pdf, rtf, mp3, etc.).
Immediacy / Friendly and informal writing style used when appropriate.
Language is strong but not threatening.
ADA Compliant
Comments / ApprovedLinks / Provides wording for the links. Avoid ‘Click Here’ for links.
Use text descriptions for links.
Text / Use serif fonts for easy readability.
Use dark colored fonts on light background. Example: Black on white or black on yellow.
Use only one font throughout the class.
Avoid the overuse of CAPS, bold and italics.
Avoid underlining word as a screen reader may interpret as a link.
Images / Images must be clear and optimized for efficient loading.
Images should be limited to only those that relate to the learning experience – supporting the course content.
Avoid use of animated or blinking images, text or cursors because they may cause some people to have seizures.
ALL images must have alt texts/descriptions attached to them.
Audio / Audio is clear and quality is good.
Audio file length is adequate to meet the goals of the activity without being too large to restrict user’s ability to download the file on computers with lower bandwidth.
A written transcript is provided with ALL audio files.
Audio file should not contain unnecessary information to avoid lengthy and large files.
Audio player required is compatible with multiple operating systems and requires only a standard, free plug-in.
Video / Video quality is clear.
Video file length is adequate to meet the goals of the activity without being too large to restrict users’ ability to download the file on computers with lower bandwidths.
Provides closed-captioning or has accompanying text-based scripts for ALL videos.
Video player is compatible with multiple operating systems and requires only a standard, free plug-in.
Teaching and Learning
Comments / ApprovedInstructor Presence / The instructor provides a self-introduction to students and activities to build a learning community.
The instructor explains the course organization and navigation and makes recommendations on time usage and netiquette expectations.
The instructor facilitates interaction between students and provides a variety of opportunities to contribute and discuss course topics.
The Instructor is interactive with students, guiding discussions, assessing learning, answering questions (in a timely manner) and providing feedback to enhance the learning.
Feedback on student assignments and questions is constructive and provided in a timely manner. (The comment area of the Gradebook is used for feedback.)
The instructor’s expected response time and feedback on assignments is clearly stated and defined.
Active Learning / Learning activities provide multiple opportunities for interaction among students and require participation.
Student progress is monitored, encouraged and redirected if necessary, through persistent and varied communication formats.
Student interaction requirements and expectations are clearly defined.
Student-to-Student and Faculty-to-Student interaction is encouraged and facilitated.
Group problem solving and discussion activities are used.
Use of peer critiquingthrough communication tools fosters high expectations and higher performance.
Scoring Rubric for Course
Course Home / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / PtsAnnouncements / None / Welcome announcement / + Reminder for students to take orientation tutorial / + Start of term information / + Announcements are controlled by dates
Course Introduction / Blank / Welcome Intro to course / + Intro includes instructor background and contact information / + Addition of course overview and course goals / + Also includes clear directions on how to navigate the course.
Virtual Office
Q & A Thread / Does not
have one / + Has one but does not contain guidelines / + Minimal instructions and guidelines / + Monitored closely by faculty and questions answered in timely manner. / + Clear expectations are listed and faculty interaction is frequent and timely.
Schedule of Due Dates and Assignments / No Due Date schedule is listed / Due Dates with only Units listed / + Due Dates with assignments listed / + Due Dates with assignments listed and some instructions for submitting assignments
Course Navigation / No instruction / Instructions are vague and hard to find / Instructions included and can be found, but are brief / Instructions are clear and easy to find and follow.
Students Ethics Statement / No statement in the course / The ICCOC Student Ethics Statement Content item is located under Course Home / Instructor refers to the Student Ethics Statement throughout the class. / + Instructor includes own policies and consequences for Ethics Violations.
Units / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / Pts
Unit Homepage / Blank Unit Homepage / Incomplete Unit Homepage
Brief Reference to reading or textbook chapter. / Brief Intro to Unit, text only with little overview / Include unit objectives and/or competencies with measurable outcomes. / Statement of expectations from students in order to successfully complete objectives/ competencies.
Unit Objectives / None / Brief unit objectives are listed but not measurable. / Objectives and competencies are clearly defined and measurable. / + Objectives and competencies are referenced and identified throughout the lectures and activities of the unit. / + All assessments relate directly back to the stated objectives and competencies with feedback given to students on their understanding of the objective.
Use of Content Items / No content under units / Very limited content in each unit.
One or two items / A variety of content items such as lectures, discussions, practice exercises and assessments. / + Content items that utilize a variety of medium such as audio, video, gaming. / + A variety of
well-developed opportunities for
student learning with practice opportunities and engage the learner in the learning are included in every unit.
0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / Pts
Discussions and Participation / Discussion Threads are not used in
the course. / General Topic is suggested and no expectations as to student responses is listed. Instructor does not participate in discussion. / Includes 2-3 thought provoking /research oriented /personal experience type of questions or topics for discussion. / Has clear instructions that Discussions have two parts: Initial Student Response & Student Participation expectations for posting are clearly defined. / + Instructor will be part of the discussion as a guide / mentor for students will be more likely to engage
in the discussion.
Design and Visual Environment / Little text
with no
design
element at all. / Color and fonts and images are used, but do not enhance the look of the course. / + Consistency from Unit to Unit in structure, organization and overall look. / + Chunking of content is evident, links are
current and images are used appropriately. / + Multiple forms of media used for
each unit.
Assessment / One or few assessments
for entire course. / Has at least 2-5 graded assignments / assessments per week. / + Deadlines and expectations and points possible are clearly defined and posted in multiple areas of the course. / +Assessment methods are directly related to the stated course objectives
or competencies. / + Uses of multiple forms of assessment throughout the course with clearly defined expectations.
ADA / Text readability such as font size, type, and color are appropriate for ADA Compliance / + Proper use of colors and images
throughout the
course. / + Images are clear and optimized for efficient loading and have text descriptions. / + All Audio and Video have text transcripts included and quality is clear.
File size is appropriate for all users.
Evaluation and Assessment / Only one form of assessment is used / Few assessment activities and rely heavily on a few exams for overall grades. / Dropbox with correct links and clear instructions on usage and deadlines for submissions. / Use of multiple forms of assessment throughout the course and clearly defined expectations. / Instruction that is more personalized and allows students to spend more time in areas where needed.
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