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Quality Components of Online Courses


Adapted Courses or Originally Developed Courses
Version 1.1

The Quality Components of Course Design / Construction of Online Courses Checklist was developed to help faculty and the college improve the design or construction of an online course (adapted or developed). This checklist will assist in the process of insuring quality of online courses offered by the college. This checklist is currently a work in progress that will be refined based on your feedback and the results of field-tests. The college’s quality assurance process will include three components: Technical Support, Course Construction/Design Checklist, Course Evaluation / Assessment (delivery and educational effectiveness to include student outcomes, student retention, and student satisfaction).

Course Construction / Design Checklist

Please take your time in completing the scale and answer all questions honestly. Your responses will be kept confidential.

  • Place a checkmark beside each indicator that you find within the course
     
  • Items with an "R" designator are required before a course is published for the first time.
     
  • If all indicators for a principal are checked, then the course should be rated "exemplary."
     
  • If at least half of the indicators are checked, then the course should be rated "acceptable."
     
  • If fewer than half of the indicators are checked, then the course should be rated as "needs revision." The Instructional Developer and Instructional Development Office should address all items marked as needing revision.

Instructional Design Principles

R

Indicator Quality Standards

WebCT Effectively Integrated Into Course Design (WebCT Tool)

Rating:

3=Exemplary 2=Acceptable

1=Needs Revision

0=NA

Evidence for rating:

Curriculum and Learner Analysis

Design reflects analysis of learner characteristics and curriculum content needs.

R

» Educational prerequisites are listed
 
» Entry-level knowledge/skills are described
 
» Prerequisite technology skills are clearly articulated (i.e., readiness to participate in an online course)
 
» Approximate hours needed to complete course are evident in course design. (Usually 120-135 hrs for a 3 SH course.)
 
» Rationale for course is clearly stated.
 
» Instructional objectives meet the requirements of the program(s) in which course is offered.
 
» Course includes an online orientation to the software

Syllabus

Orientation

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

 

 

 

Syllabus 
(See Institutional Directive 8.2 for more information)

Syllabus contains the following:

R

» Description
 
» Textbook(s) and materials
 
» Calendar of events and due dates
 
» Instructor contact information
 
» Grading plan/assessment strategies
 
» Attendance procedures/policies
 
» Virtual/actual office hours

Syllabus

Calendar

Mail

My Grades

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Learning Plan Components

Learning activities apply to one or more of the Principles of Good Practice (AAHE, 1987). Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students (collaborative learning); uses active learning techniques; emphasizes time on task; communicates high expectations; respects diverse talents and ways of learning.

Goals and Objectives

R

» Competencies and performance standards/outcomes are clearly defined (i.e., objectives include measurable criteria)
 
» Course expectations are high and are clearly defined
 
» Course content and assignments are linked to unit objectives

Syllabus

Content Module

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Course assignments are interactive and involve the student in the learning experience

R

» Group/team assignments are employed, when effective
 
» Threaded discussions or formal chats are linked to assignments
 
» Appropriate library/Web research activities are linked to assignments
 
» Students are encouraged to ask questions electronically of instructor
 
» Other appropriate active learning activities such as student presentations are employed in assignments

Assignments

Bulletin Board

Chats

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Integration of materials  
» Acquisition of content knowledge is strengthened by appropriate integration of learning resources such as textbook, videotapes, PowerPoint session guides or summaries, and Web links
 
» Integration instructions are clear and match resource(s). (For tapes correlated page numbers in text, study guide, or unit match tape segments)

Content Module

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Learning styles are addressed

 
» Course uses multimedia when appropriate:
 
- Streaming audio
 
- Taped or CD/ROM video
 
- Interactive quizzes
 
- Simulations
 
- Audio PowerPoint
 
» Visual aids/diagrams are employed effectively
» Interactive applets are used when applicable

CD-Rom

Images

Link

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Integration of Technology Components

WebCT management tools are effectively integrated into course design

R

» Navigation is clear and easy to follow
 
» Consistent layout design orients users throughout the site
 
» Graphic elements & color serve an instructional purpose
 
» Font type, size, and color are readable and consistent throughout the site

All WebCT tools are effectively utilized

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

 

 

 

Communications Elements

Student to Student

Student to Instructor

Instructor to Student

R

» Course activities encourage using public "discussion boards"
 
» Assignments and activities early in the course and throughout the course show expectation for ongoing communications
 
» Learners are encouraged to communicate via private email (mail) for personal issues

Discussions

Chat

Whiteboard

Syllabus

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Interactive calendar with benchmarks

R

» Instructor uses the WebCT internal calendar to provide benchmarks for discussions, evaluations, and unit completion

Calendar

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Evaluation

Course evaluation is linked to objectives and addresses multiple ways of assessing students

R

» Learners have non-graded opportunities to practice skills periodically during the course
 
» Assessments are designed to address higher order thinking skills
 
» Course has clear grading criteria based on a variety of activities and individual student learning styles
 
» Evaluation of student online participation is described (i.e., grading these activities encourages participation)

Quiz

Discussion

My Grades

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Feedback

Instructor Feedback

R

» Instructor provides timely feedback and responds, if at all possible, to email within twenty-four to forty-eight hours, when college is in session.

Mail

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Interaction among students

R

» Instructor facilitates communication electronically through required discussions, chat or email

Discussions

Chat

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

Student Online Evaluations

R

» Course contains an online course evaluation to provide student feedback and opportunities for course improvement based on student information

Evaluation

Rating: 3 2 1 0

Evidence:

The Checklist was developed from the York Technical College "Components of Online Courses" and the Florida Community Colleges "Principles of Online Design." Before an online course is released to the public, it will be evaluated on the following criteria to ensure needed components are included.
 

 Last Updated February 24, 2003