Course Overview and Introduction

Learning Objectives (Competencies)

Assessment and Measurement

Instructional Materials

Course Activities and Learner Interaction

Course Technology

Learner Support

Accessibility and Usability

Selection of online and blended courses to be evaluated should be based upon various factors (e.g. frequency of course offering, program completion, etc.) set forth by the Distance Education Committee. Courses assessed for quality will be permanently filed with the Office of Distance Education. Documentation received from reviewer(s) will be provided to Vice President of Academic Affairs, Division Chair and teaching faculty. This material should be used as a means to gauge professional development, and if needed, grounds for continuation of an instructor teaching online. The Distance Education Committee will set the grounds as to what is and is not considered best measure of quality.

Ongoing evaluation of online and blended courses can be done informally each semester by way of an evaluation form. This evaluation form is intended to be a component of the peer evaluation process that is already established. Instead of making a classroom observation, which is not possible for a virtual class, a peer evaluation team comprised of those experienced in teaching virtual classes will be temporarily added to the roster of the Blackboard shell as teaching assistants to give them access to all areas of the course. Should a division lack a sufficient number of faculty experienced in teaching virtual classes, the chair can ask members of another division to serve, as is often done for division tenure and promotion committees.

Each item should be rated as “does not meet expectations,” “meets expectations,” or “exceeds expectations,” as is the case with annual review.

Syllabus is easily accessible on website through button menu.

Syllabus explains the purpose and structure of the course.

Syllabus explains and/or links to relevant institutional policies.

Syllabus describes the course's objectives and suitable learning outcomes.

Syllabus describes and quantifies how objectives/assignments will be assessed.

Syllabus states the instructor's response time for e-mail inquiries and for assessment of assignments.

Syllabus states instructor's academic honesty/plagiarism policy, including penalty for violation.

Syllabus or course link contains a listing of assignments and deadlines.

Syllabus states instructor's policy regarding deadlines and (non-)acceptance of late assignments, including penalties for late assignments.

Course navigation facilitates ease of use.

All assignments and supporting documentation are clearly linked to on button menu.

Any grading rubric used to evaluate assignments is accessible to students.