How Does an Online Course Earn a High Quality Designation?

If your online course earned a Quality designation, you then have the option to request a High Quality Online Course Review. Requesting a High Quality review means that you are also committing to engaging in the High Quality review process as a third reviewer. The first and second reviewers in this process are both Instructional Designers at CDL. Third reviewers must have earned the HQR4444 credential.

High Quality Review Items

Download High Quality Course Review Items [PDF]

Course Overview and Introduction

Students are provided with the needed prerequisite knowledge, access to course policies and university services, information on the required technology for the course, and are offered an overview of the course and/or course modules/units.

1. Course syllabus includes prerequisite knowledge, and/or technical and other competencies (e.g., prerequisite courses to be completed, necessary skills). [More info]
2. An introduction to the university’s non-academic services and resources available to support student success (e.g., Victim Services, Career Services) is provided. [More info]
3. Required hardware and/or software necessary for participating in the course are communicated to students (e.g., microphone, webcam). [More info]
4. Links to the privacy policies of third-party tools are included. [More info]
5. An orientation, introduction, or overview is provided for the course (e.g., Canvas Page, video, syllabus). [More info]
6. An orientation, introduction, or overview is provided for each module or unit in the course (e.g., Canvas Page, video). [More info]

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Course Content

The course content and technology used is current, accessible, and appropriately cited.

8. Technologies used within the course are current (e.g., SWF and FLV files have been replaced with newer technologies/methods). [More info]
9. Instructional materials are current, best representing the discipline and reflecting current trends.
10. The course content and media are copyright compliant and appropriately cited. [More info]
11. The course content is readily attainable, including external links, resources, and technologies. [More info]

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Assessment and Interaction

The assessments promote higher-order thinking while promoting academic integrity. Students are encouraged to develop a sense of community through introduction.

12. Assessments promote higher-order thinking skills (e.g., apply, analyze, compare and contrast, classify, assess, create, evaluate).
13. Students are given multiple opportunities to self-assess and/or reflect on their learning (e.g., ungraded surveys, practice quizzes/activities, written assignments, discussions) throughout the semester. [More info]
14. Measures to promote academic integrity are included (e.g., authentic assessments, multi/varied assignments and quizzes, Respondus Monitor). [More info]
15. An opportunity for students to introduce themselves to develop a sense of community is provided. [More info]

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Accessibility and Universal Design

The text is formatted with titles, headings, and other styles to enhance readability and improve the structure of the document. Media is appropriately labeled or close-captioned to enhance accessibility.

Text and Tables

16. Text is formatted with titles, headings, and other styles to enhance readability and improve the structure of the document.
17. There is enough contrast between text and background for the content to be easily viewed.
18. Text is understandable when viewed without color (i.e., italics or bold are used for emphasis rather than color alone).
19. Hyperlink text is descriptive and makes sense when out of context (avoid using “click here”).
20. Table header rows and columns are assigned.[More info]

Multimedia

21. A text equivalent for every graphic is provided (e.g., “alt” tags). No excessive use of images when text can be used instead (e.g., screenshots of PPT slides).
22. Graphics and images are understandable when viewed without color.
23. Multimedia (audio, graphics, and video) is easy to access and use (e.g., presentation pace can be controlled by student; video can be resized; available on mobile devices). [More info]
24. Video files have synchronous captions. Prerecorded audio files have available transcripts.

Act Now

It is encouraged to teach the course at least once before requesting a review, but in special circumstances, a course can be reviewed as long as it is complete. Complete the Course Review Request Form to start the conversation with an instructional designer.

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