Regis Characteristics of High-Quality Online Courses FlipCards

Introduction

Revising an existing course? Creating a new course? These characteristics of high-quality courses here at Regis can guide you as you determine what to revise or how to design your new course. These are recommendations that can be implemented across a variety of teaching approaches. A course with all these characteristics is aspirational, not required.


#1 Learning Objectives

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Well-written measurable learning objectives address various levels of learning of Bloom's Taxonomy.

Strategies:

  • Include objectives that progress up the Bloom's Taxonomy levels.
  • Create a matrix to show the alignment of Learning Objectives to Assessments to Learning Activities/Materials.

#2 Syllabus, Course Overview and Introduction

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Students are provided with clear information about the course, the instructor, and learner expectations.

Strategies:

  • Use the html syllabus template created for your college/program to ensure consistency within your program and inclusion of Higher Learning Commission's required elements.
  • Place a video in which you introduce yourself and the course on the course content landing page.
  • Include a Syllabus Scavenger Hunt for a few points to encourage students to find key information within the syllabus

#3 Navigation and Structure

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Students are provided with clear information about how to navigate the course structure. The course components (structure) are organized in a logical order.

Strategies:

  • Provide a virtual tour of the course via a screen capture video pointing out key features and elements.
  • Provide a structure that is consistent with others in your program so that students do not have to "hunt" for content.

#4 Instructional Materials

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Contemporary materials are included to foster student engagement and learning.

Strategies:

  • Ensure you have resources that have been created within the last five years – unless foundational or primary documents for the discipline are older.
  • Provide learners with information in a variety of formats (e.g., video, text, visual, interactive).
  • Provide sources of all media used.

#5 Learner Interaction & Engagement

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Course activities foster student interaction and active learning with clearly described expectations for interaction.

Strategies:

  • Include asynchronous opportunities for students to actively interact with you, one another, and the content.
  • Design learning experiences that are generative and authentic.

#6 Assignments/Evaluation

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Assignments vary in nature and are clearly defined with instructions that are easy to understand.

Strategies:

  • Ask a colleague or family friend to read the instructions you are providing for clarity and conventions.
  • Create authentic tasks/projects as summative assignments.

#7 Feedback

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Opportunities for instructor and peer feedback are provided.

Strategies:

  • Use Video Note to provide individualized feedback.
  • Have students post drafts in VoiceThread Groups so that they can receive peer feedback prior to submitting their final version to you.

#8 Student Feedback

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Students are provided the opportunity to provide feedback on the course design and teaching during the course.

Strategies:

  • Mid-course student survey
  • Reflections

#9 Regis Specific

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The Jesuit Values, Regis Mission, and Ignatian Pedagogy, are evident within the course.

Strategies:

  • Use icons to highlight the Jesuit Values and Regis Mission in the course
  • Use Ignatian Pedagogy Paradigm to design your course
  • Consider "What's the value added for students to take this course at Regis?"

#10 Use of Technology

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The technology tools foster student engagement.

Strategies:

  • Start with Regis approved tools (e.g., Zoom, Video Note, MediaSpace, VoiceThread, etc.)
  • Contact ID&T for a consultation (idt@regis.edu)
  • Contact your college's liaison who serves on the Academic Technology Advisory Group for the latest technology information

#11 All course materials meet accessibility requirements.

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Course activities foster student interaction and active learning with clearly described expectations for interaction.

Strategies:

  • Use the built-in Accessibility Checker in WC.
  • Use built-in Accessibility Checker in PowerPoint and Word.

#12 Learner Support

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Information and resources for students regarding the types of support available and how to access it.

Strategies:

  • Use the updated course design template. Contact idt@regis.edu if you need assistance with this.

#13 Technical Functionality

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All technical elements function as expected.

Strategies:

  • Double check the course before it goes alive.
  • Check links to make sure they are still functional.