Online Course Review Process

Issue/Question

  • Course Review Process for online (synchronous and asynchronous) courses at Black Hills State University (BHSU)?

Resolution

Important information to refer to about BHSU & SDBOR guidelines for online (synchronous and asynchronous) courses

  1. Black Hills State University (BHSU) Online Course Quality Standards
  2. According to Item 2 of the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) Online Course Quality Assurance Guidelines, BHSU is required to review
    • 2.1. Institutions are responsible for reviewing all courses offered online - those with the method code of 015 or 018, per AAC Guideline 2.4.3.B - prior to offering. 
    • 2.3.1. any course not previously offered online
    • 2.3.2. an existing online course with an instructor who has not previously taught online for a BOR institution 
    • 2.3.3. institutions are expected to monitor all online courses to ensure they are effectively delivered, aligned with best practices and BOR expectations, and achieve student success.
  3. Policy 4.1.1 - C 3.3, indicates that "Faculty members assigned to electronically delivered courses may be required to provide the necessary materials required to comply with the institutional quality assurance review process thirty (30) days prior to the first (1st) day of classes.
    • As it is not always possible to comply with the policy 4.1.1 - C 3.3., we would prefer to review the course in D2L by the end of Week 4 (after the semester starts).
    • Complete the entire structure (all weekly modules, placeholders for all assessments, all grades, all release settings, etc.) of the course with the first 4 weeks’ worth of course materials.
    • This will provide an understanding that the rest of the course will follow the same pattern based on the Course Schedule in the Course Syllabus.

Steps to prepare the online course for review:

  1. Complete the course design and development in D2L using the BHSU Online Course Quality Standards
    • If you wish to work with the Instructional Designer, email to schedule a time to meet on Zoom/in-person.
  2. Review the course using the self-review document (download, fill in, and return to the Instructional Designer)
    • Update the course, if needed
    • Update the self-review, if needed
  3. Return the completed self-review to the Instructional Designer - id@bhsu.edu 
    • We will use this document during the scheduled meeting to complete the course review
  4. Schedule a time to meet (Zoom/in-person) with the Instructional Designer (approximately 1-1.5 hours)  

Items required for the course review:

  1. Completed self-review document 
  2. Course in D2L  
    • Include "About the Instructor" and "Week 1 Student Introductions"
      • The Week 1 Student Introductions item could be used as a Pre-census activity.
  3. Course Syllabus
    • Student Learning Outcomes with Measurable Action Verbs (Required Standard II.1.a)
    • A transparent Grading Criteria (Required Standards III.2.a & III.2.b)
    • A Course Schedule that will provide students with an idea of the structure of the online course  (Required Standard 1.2.a)
    • Resources:
      • Online Syllabus Template With Standards (download and customize) 
        • Use of the syllabus template (fillable form) is optional.
          • However, if used, it ensures compliance with most of the Quality Assurance Rubric standards.
        • If it is not used, please make sure that all required standards identified are addressed either in the course syllabus or in the course online in D2L.
        • Note: BHSU Academic Affairs requires Emergency Notification; hence, it is added to the online course syllabus with an additional statement
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