Joseph Marquette

Quality standards for online classes are based on best practices identified through experience and research. These standards share seven core components for creating a realistic environment and facilitating learning:

1. Learning Objectives
2. Assessments
3. Course Materials and Activities
4. Faculty and Student Interaction
5. Online Student Support
6. Technology Requirements
7. Evaluation and Improvement

Multiple evaluations should be used when developing course evaluations and objections to ensure student learning and success.

There must be a balance of formative and summative assessments in courses because it provides students and professors with information about the learning occurring. Rubrics are excellent examples because they provide students with specific guidelines for assignments/projects. Moreover, they provide instructors with a way to measure student work against designated criteria and assign a point value to each standard. Additionally, the guidelines are provided to the students before the assessment is completed. Furthermore, instructors must give meaningful feedback that connects the learning objectives and is specific, detailed, individualized, and expressed in an appropriate manner and tone that provides students with… >>>

While developing a dynamic syllabus helps students find and view course information, only providing access to information and technology tools does not create an online learning community. The key to developing an online learning community with a dynamic syllabus is excellent and detailed instructions with good online communication. Doing so ensures that students build on prior knowledge and lived experiences.

When it comes to course content, it's essential that instructors carefully plan and ensure that the content supports the course learning objectives. One way to achieve this is to identify areas where students are having difficulties or to ensure that the course content and graphics are correctly placed to enhance student learning and success. Moreover, instructors should maintain a database that includes relevant items that can be quickly found, sorted, located, and uploaded across multiple courses.

Instructors must use a record-keeping system that is simple and effective. Moreover, instructors should do all they can for students to alleviate alienation, excessive workload, competition, and technical issues.

Instructors must understand that asynchronous discussions occur at different moments within a given weekly timeframe and are the heart of any online course. In contrast, synchronous discussions occur in real-time and are often called chat sessions and afford opportunities for socializing. Moreover, instructors should recognize that there is no specific learning style. Instead, students can have more than one learning style to different degrees. When giving feedback, the wording must encourage participation, confidence, and motivation and be constructive when needed.

Instructors must know how to influence, persuade, inspire, and energize students to ensure centricity and success. Instructors must also participate in discussion forums by offering responses and sharing a summary of their contributions with all participants. Moreover, they must answer student queries and provide informative and constructive feedback within 24 hours. Instructors can highlight their expertise by providing a brief biography, including educational credentials, achievements, and professional experience.

To ensure student centricity and success, instructors must be fully versed in the CMS and the institution's resources. In addition, all means available should be used to communicate with students and ensure every student understands course assignments and expectations.