Purdue University North Central
Recommendations
for Online Courses*
|
Syllabus *These standards are representative of best practices for online courses and are supplemental to the PNC University syllabi policies. In addition to these online standards, you must adhere to university and departmental policies in regard to syllabi construction. |
Not Met |
Limited |
Met |
||
|
Assessment/Grading
– Criteria: A statement exists in regard to due
dates/scheduled exams that are missed or disrupted due to problems with the
Learning Management System (Blackboard).
|
|
|
|
||
|
Communication/Participation- Criteria:
A process for
communicating with students and timeframes for responding to one another is
clearly defined (weekdays, weekends, and holidays). A statement about student participation and
netiquette is provided. Recommendations: For
example: require students to respond within 24 -48 hours during the week,
longer for weekends and holidays. Require
students to check their course email twice a week and post to a weekly
discussion a minimum of 3 times. |
|
|
|
||
|
Course
Schedule- Criteria:
Information is included about the required
assignments and associated due dates for the entirety of the online course. |
|
|
|
||
|
Comments about Syllabus: |
|||||
|
General
Course Design Course design refers to
the functionality, navigability, and accessibility, of course content. The
institution’s learning management system (i.e. Blackboard) should be used as
the course gateway (even if a different system is used for the actual
course). |
Not
Met |
Limited |
Met |
||
|
Accessibility
–
Criteria:
Text
size and font are appropriate. Color
choices are of high contrast, making them readable for all students. Web
links are functional. Images contain
alternative text. Recommendations: When uploading an image to Blackboard, always type in alternative text.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Structure
–
Criteria:
Course
has a consistent organizational structure that offers ease of navigation. Process is in place for students to get
information on initial steps to begin the course. Recommendations: Use
clearly labeled folders. Keep things clean and simple to
avoid overwhelming the viewer. Have a “start
here” feature in Blackboard. |
|
|
|
||
|
Comments about General Course Design: |
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
Delivery of course
content in an online environment requires a shift in the traditional paradigm
of teacher-led instruction. A
well-planned online course provides students with quality social
opportunities, support, guidance, and feedback, while adhering to the
standards for copyright and accessibility issues. |
Not Met |
Limited |
Met |
||
|
Criteria:
Clear and measurable course
objectives, learning activities, and assessments are aligned. Recommendations: View
helpful tips.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Assessment- Criteria:
A variety of forms of
assessment are utilized. Recommendations:
Use Blackboard for
assignments, graded online discussion forums, and quizzes. |
|
|
|
||
|
Copyright
– Criteria:
Proper permissions and use
of citations for copyrighted materials are utilized. Recommendations: |
|
|
|
||
|
Course
Evaluation
–
Criteria:
A
plan to obtain student feedback, in regard to course quality, is in
place. Recommendations: Promote the
importance of Digital Measures evaluations.
Use an anonymous survey via Qualtrics and/or
discussion forums. |
|
|
|
||
|
Feedback- Criteria: A variety of
opportunities are available for students to practice and obtain timely feedback. Recommendations: Consider
using Blackboard to provide frequent practice quizzes, discussions, and
assignments, and use the Grade Book function to provide student access to
course progress. |
|
|
|
||
|
Interaction – Criteria:
A forum for introductions and
activities that create community and collaboration are evident. Recommendations: Use
group discussions, chats, email, and announcements in Blackboard. Provide a brief introductory of yourself
and invite students to do the same. |
|
|
|
||
|
Learning and Technology Resources – Criteria:
Information in regard to learning
assistance and technology support is provided. Recommendations: Publisher tutorials and textbook websites should be made available. Provide link to: www.pnc.edu/distance/student.html Import the Blackboard Student Tutorial into your course. |
|
|
|
||
|
Student
Integrity- Criteria:
A plan is in place to help ensure authentic student work in the online
environment. Recommendations: Consider
using SafeAssign
to check for plagiarism and Respondus LockDown Browser to ensure authentic student work during
exams. In Blackboard, set narrow testing
windows and employ passwords, as well as randomize questions. Also, consider
creating open-ended exam questions that require application of higher-order
thinking skills. |
|
|
|
||
|
Technology
Enhancement- Criteria:
Technology tools and various forms of
media are used to enhance the learning outcomes. Recommendations: Consider creating
interactive PowerPoints or lectures with the
following: Adobe Presenter, or ScreenCorder. Meet
in real-time using Adobe Connect. Record lectures and post online using Echo 360.
Use graphics and media such as: flowcharts, diagrams, videos, and
images to help convey meaning. |
|
|
|
||
|
Comments
about Course Content/Instructional Materials: |
|||||
