Issue/Question
- All new online courses, and any online course taught by a new Instructor for the first time, must be reviewed and approved.
- The most important resource for the design and development of an online course is the Online Course Quality Standards, developed by Black Hills State University (BHSU) using the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) Online Course Quality Assurance Guidelines
- All new online courses, and any online course taught by a new Instructor for the first time, must be reviewed and approved.
- More resources are available at the BHSU Center for Faculty Innovation Online Course Quality Standards (Authentication required)
If you have any questions, please email id@bhsu.edu
Resolution
Section I: Course Overview & Introduction
[I.1.a] Navigational instructions make the organization of the course easy to understand (Required, SDBOR)
[I.1.b] D2L Content is organized to make each week’s (or module for self-paced classes) content and activities easy to find within the modules and to make the timing and nature of required content and materials predictable. (Required, BHSU)
[I.2.a] A statement introduces the student to the course and to the structure of the student learning, as well as how the student will be successful in the course. (Required, SDBOR)
[I.2.b] A brief welcome video is accessible on the homepage, including the instructor’s voice and
face. (Strongly Recommended, BHSU)
[I.2.c] The D2L Homepage follows the BHSU Homepage Template, including the required items (Required, BHSU)
[I.3.a] The instructor facilitates and participates in an interactive introduction activity with students during the first week of the course. (Required, SDBOR)
[I.4.a] Netiquette expectations with regard to discussions and course communication are clearly stated. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[I.4.b] Students are invited to share concerns they have about prerequisite knowledge, skills, or other course requirements (like technology or textbook access). (Recommended, BHSU)
Section II: Learning Outcomes
[II.1.a] The course provides learning outcomes that are measurable. (Required, SDBOR)
[II.1.b] Course learning outcomes are stated or prominently linked to on the D2L homepage or in an introductory module. (Required, BHSU)
[II.2.a] The learning outcomes address content mastery, critical thinking skills, and core learning skills. (Required, SDBOR)
[II.2.b] Cross-cutting, transferable, or career-ready skills (skills that transcend the subject matter and can be used in a range of settings) are highlighted early in the semester and periodically across the course. (Recommended (strongly for Gen Eds), BHSU)
[II.3.a] The learning outcomes of the course are clearly stated and understandable to the student, and clear instructions are provided to students on how to meet them. (Required, SDBOR)
[II.4.a] Learning outcomes are articulated and specified on the module/unit level. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[II.4.b] Course learning outcomes are referenced regularly across the course within the course content and by the instructor. (Recommended, BHSU)
Section III: Assessment & Measurement
[III.1.a] The types of assessments selected measure the stated learning outcomes and are aligned with course outcomes, activities, and resources. (Required, SDBOR)
[III.1.b] Assessments are designed to inspire student buy-in and engagement and give students opportunities to demonstrate higher-order skills like synthesis or application in addition to more basic activities like recall, identification, or elaboration. (Recommended, BHSU)
[III.2.a] The grading policy is transparent and easy to understand. (Required, SDBOR)
[III.2.b] Grading criteria are transparent and easy to find in D2L. (Required, BHSU)
[III.2.c] The D2L gradebook is used to allow students to track their grades during the semester. (Required, BHSU)
[III.3.a] Assessment and measurement strategies provide timely and detailed feedback to the student. (Required, SDBOR)
[III.4.a] The types of assessments selected and the methods used for submitting assessments are appropriate for the distance-learning environment. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[III.4.b] High-stakes assessments are used as minimally as feasible and preceded by practice activities. (Recommended, BHSU)
[III.4.c] When possible, assessment types are varied to encourage student engagement or students have some choice in how to demonstrate mastery. (Recommended, BHSU)
[III.5.a] If appropriate, self-check/practice types of assignments are provided for quick student feedback. (Recommended, SDBOR)
Section IV: Resources & Materials
[IV.1.a] The instructional materials support the stated learning outcomes, and have sufficient breadth, depth, and currency for the student to learn the subject. (Required, SDBOR)
[IV.1.b] Materials encourage students to draw connections to their contemporary environments. (Recommended, BHSU)
[IV.2.a] Instructional materials are presented in a format appropriate to the online environment, are easily accessible to and usable by the student, and are consistent in organization. (Required, SDBOR)
[IV.2.b] The instructor has made an effort to reduce the cost of materials, perhaps by adopting OER materials when feasible. (Recommended, BHSU)
[IV.3.a] The course design includes instructional materials presented via multiple modalities. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[IV.3.b] Over the course of the semester, students have regular opportunities to explore course content in multiple modalities or media types. (Recommended, BHSU)
[IV.4.a] All resources and materials used in the online course are appropriately cited and sourced. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[IV.5.a] The purpose of the course elements (content, instructional methods, technologies, and course materials) is evident. (Recommended, SDBOR)
Section V: Learner Interaction
[V.1.a] The learning activities promote the achievement of stated learning outcomes. (Required, SDBOR)
[V.2.a] Learning activities foster regular and substantive instructor-student interaction, as well as content-student—and if appropriate—student-student interaction. (Required, SDBOR)
[V.2.b] Instructor interactions with students exhibit a predictable pattern, through routine and/or transparently scheduled instructor inputs. (Required, BHSU)
[V.2.c] The course provides opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions. (Required, BHSU)
[V.2.d] When feasible, student interactions include opportunities to communicate in formats other than text alone. (Recommended, BHSU)
[V.2.e] The instructor provides periodic, personalized feedback for individual students. (Recommended, BHSU)
[V.3.a] The expectations of the instructor are clearly defined, including how, when, and where the instructor will interact with students. (Required, SDBOR)
[V.3.b] Instructors employ media beyond text alone to communicate with students. (Recommended, BHSU)
[V.4.a] The importance and real-world significance of the subject matter is clearly demonstrated and, if possible, connected to students' backgrounds. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[V.4.b] Students have opportunities to provide input on course content or learning experiences. (Recommended, BHSU)
[V.4.c] Course activities include opportunities or encouragement to reflect on the relevance of learning interactions or content for their lives. (Recommended, BHSU)
[V.5.a] The requirements for course interaction are clearly articulated. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[V.5.b] Within each content module, students find clear instructions for the interactions that are required. (Required, BHSU)
Section VI: Course Technology
[VI.1.a] The tools and media support the learning outcomes of the course and are integrated with texts and lesson assignments. (Required, SDBOR)
[VI.2.a] The tools and media enhance student interactivity and guide the student to become a more active learner. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[VI.3.a] If utilized, third-party tools/content are easily accessible to students, and clear instructions are provided to articulate how to access/utilize them. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[VI.3.b] Third-party tools are appropriately licensed and comply with FERPA policy. (Required, BHSU)
[VI.3.c] When using third-party tools, instructors identify privacy and accessibility considerations and direct students to any needed support or alternatives (Recommended, BHSU)
[VI.4.a] The tools and media are compatible with existing standards of delivery modes. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[VI.4.b] All course technologies are compatible with the course’s delivery mode and with
commonly used learning environments. (Recommended, BHSU)
Section VII: Learner Support
[VII.1.a] Course instructions articulate or link to clear descriptions of academic, student, and technical support services offered. (Required, SDBOR)
[VII.1.b] The course provides access to online learning success resources (including academic support services, technical support, and tutoring resources), and these support resources are repeatedly visible throughout the course. (Recommended, BHSU)
[VII.1.c] The instructor routinely shares campus resources during the semester or at critical moments (e.g. recommending the writing center before a draft of a paper is due). (Recommended, BHSU)
[VII.2.a] If third-party tools and/or content are utilized by the course, clear instructions are provided to students on how they will receive support for these tools. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[VII.3.a] Course instructions articulate or link to tutorials and resources that answer basic questions related to research, writing, technology, etc. (Recommended, SDBOR)
[VII.3.b] The course design or content encourages students to use research-based study strategies for learning, including scaffolding assignments for time-management, providing notetaking guidance or templates, and optimizing the pace of low-stakes practice. (Recommended, BHSU)
[VII.3.c] The instructor periodically reaches out to students individually (after reviewing students’ online activity or assessments) to recognize achievements, boost morale, or offer encouragement to use academic support resources. (Recommended, BHSU)
[VII.3.d] An intake survey, introductory forum, or a similar resource is used to allow the instructor to learn about student backgrounds and needs. (Recommended, BHSU)
Section VIII: Accessibility
[VIII.1.a] The course acknowledges the importance of ADA requirements. (Required, SDBOR) [VIII.1.b] The course affirms the instructors’ intent to minimize access barriers and to make adjustments to the course to help students succeed. (Recommended, BHSU)
[VIII.1.c] The instructor includes a forum or checkpoint (like a required survey, open Q/A forum, or anonymous form) that helps the instructor identify and reduce barriers students are facing with access to course materials or tools. (Recommended, BHSU)
[VIII.2.a] If any third-party tools and/or content are utilized by the course, they are compliant with accessibility standards, or equally effective accessible alternatives are provided. (Required, SDBOR)
[VIII.3.a] The course is compliant with current accessibility standards. (Required, SDBOR)
[VIII.3.b] The instructor has visited the Panorama Accessibility Dashboard (via Course Tools) to review the accessibility score and identify content that could be improved. (Required, BHSU)
[VIII.3.c] The course achieves a Panorama Dashboard score of 100%. (Recommended, BHSU)
[VIII.3.d] Whenever feasible, the instructor provides HTML versions of text resources to improve access across devices and apps. (Recommended, BHSU)