Black Hawk College
Best Practices for Exemplary Online Instruction

The following best practices from the literature on online teaching and learning may provide you with specific ideas for what this principle might look like in an online course.

1. Utilize instructional design to help students with course content.
   
   
   1. Content is sequenced and structured in a manner that enables learners to achieve the stated goals.
      
      
   2. Information is "chunked" or grouped to help students learn the content.
      
      
   3. Course Goals and Objectives/Outcomes are present and explicitly stated to the learner.
      
      
   4. Module Objectives/Outcomes are clearly presented to the learner and are aligned with the larger course objectives.
      
      
   5. A course description is provided.
      
      
   6. Instructor information is available to student with contact, biographical, availability information, and picture.
      
      
   7. Students are provided with a list of supplies such as textbooks and other instructional materials needed for the course.
      
      
   8. Course provides information regarding number of Credit Hours earned for successful completion.
      
      
   9. A clear concise list of modules and activities that will be completed within each of the course modules/chapters/topics is provided.
      
      
   10. Grading policy is provided including grading scale and weights.
       
       
   11. Calendar of due dates and other events is provided.
       
       
   12. Technical competencies necessary for course completion is provided.
       
       
   13. A list of technical requirements such as connection speed, hardware, and software is provided.
       
       
   14. Course abides by copyright and fair use laws.
       
       
   15. A Code of Conduct including netiquette standards and academic integrity expectations is provided.
       
       
   16. Audio files have a specific purpose that does not distract from course goals and objectives.
       
       
   17. Video files have a specific purpose that does not distract from course goals and objectives.
   
   
   Other ideas:
   
   
   
2. Utilize site design to encourage communication, interaction and collaboration.
   
   
   1. Discussions are organized in clearly defined forums and/or threads.
      
      
   2. Access is available to individuals and groups based upon discussion’s purpose such as private conversations between student and instructor, group work, and class interactions.
      
      
   Other ideas:
   
   
   
3. Explain student evaluation and assessment policies.
   
   
   1. Assessment and evaluation tools are appropriate for measuring stated outcomes.
      
      
   2. A tool/reporting mechanism is provided to help determine student’s readiness for course.
      
      
   3. Assessments and evaluations are designed and administered to uphold academic integrity.
      
      
   4. Defined course procedures for reporting grade information complies with FERPA (Family Educational and Reporting Privacy Act) and institutional regulations on reporting grade information to students.
      
      
   5. A grading scale that defines letter grades and/or weights, if applicable, is provided.
      
      
   6. Penalties assessed to grades, if applicable, are provided.
      
      
   7. Student participation is defined and a mechanism for measuring quality and quantity is provided.
      
      
   8. The opportunity for earning extra credit, if applicable, is provided.
      
      
   9. A statement of the time allocated for each assessment is provided.
      
      
   10. A statement indicating whether or not the assessment can be retaken is provided.
       
       
   11. A description of the assessment delivery method is provided.
       
       
   12. Instructions for completion and submission are provided.
   Other ideas:
   
   
   
4. Provide learner support and resources.
   1. Links to institutional/program information and/or policies and procedures are provided.
      
      
   2. Links to tutorials and other Course Management System support sites are provided (e.g., for WebCT, myBlackHawk Course Studio).
      
      
   3. Links, e-mail addresses, and/or phone numbers to technical support are provided.
      
      
   4. Statement of ADA (American Disabilities Act) Compliance and request for special services is provided.
      
      
   5. A glossary of terms is available.
      
      
   Other ideas:
   
   
   
5. Utilize web design principles.
   1. Scrolling is minimized or facilitated with anchors.
      
      
   2. Consistent layout design orients users throughout the site.
      
      
   3. Font type, size, and color are readable and consistent throughout the site.
      
      
   4. Use of pop-up windows (windows with specific information, no scroll bars, and no menus) is appropriate.
      
      
   5. Windows open in appropriate frames that do not confuse users. The use of additional frames, other than those within the CMS is avoided.
      
      
   6. Audio/video hardware requirements do not extend beyond the basic sound cards, speakers, and video players unless appropriately needed to meet course goals and objectives.
      
      
   7. Audio standards meet minimum standards, such as good audio quality, appropriate length to meet learning goals, reasonable file size so that it does not restrict the ability of students to download the file when using lower bandwidth connections, and a transcript is provided when students with hearing impairments are in the class.
      
      
   8. Video files meet minimum standards, such as good video quality, appropriate length to meet learning goals, reasonable file size so that it does not restrict the ability of students to download the file when using lower bandwidth connections, and a transcript is provided when students with hearing impairments are in the class.
      
      
   9. Images are clear.
      
      
   10. Image files are optimized for efficient loading.
       
       
   11. Use of animated GIFs is limited to only those that contribute to the learning experience – supporting the course content.
       
       
   12. Navigation aids are located in the same location. Graphics used as links are consistent.
       
       
   13. Navigation cues are present, clearly identifiable, offered in text and graphic formats, and are obvious links based on visual cues such as color, underlining, and text directives (e.g., Start here).
       
       
   14. Course has no broken links.
       
       
   15. Hyperlinks open in appropriate windows or frames.
       
       
   16. Course design indicates a conscious effort to comply with or exceed Level 1 of Accessibility standards.
   Other ideas: