Course quality standards for iCourses

Use The College Course Quality Standards Worksheet to measure whether your course meets today's teaching and learning best practices:  

• Course Quality Standards Worksheet - The College (make a copy)
• Course Quality Standards Worksheet - The College (view)

The standards are also outlined below.

• The course is built in Canvas, and the designated department template is applied: ASU Online Canvas template, The College Canvas template, or unit template.
• The Syllabus page includes the required syllabus criteria:
  • The College Syllabus Template (make a copy)
  • The College Syllabus Template (view)
• Course includes multiple instructor/faculty-recorded videos (mini-lectures, demonstrations, interviews) to engage students.
• Course content is organized into weekly modules or units  and facilitates sequential student navigation.

• Assignment instructions are clear and succinct. 

  • How to Write Assignment Instructions (view)

• Course requires an appropriate amount of mental effort to process information and complete tasks. The difficulty and quantity of content is balanced with students’ ability to absorb it without feeling overwhelmed.

• Course is designed for the universal learner with multiple means of representation, action and expression, and engagement. There is flexibility in deadlines and pacing.

• Course is has  an appropriate workload in the scheduled time frame.

• Course includes Instructor guide or “Notes for future instructors” document.

• Course meets the Quality Matters Standards (see section below)

Quality Matters (QM) Standards

ASU looks to Quality Matters (QM) as the authority on course quality. QM established a rubric of course quality standards that are research-based and grounded in best practices. 

What are the QM quality standards? The QM rubric standards are "the keys to achieving the goals of ensuring quality for learners — and for you to deliver on your promise to them." (qualitymatters.org)

The General Standards of the Quality Matters Rubric are: 

• Course Overview and Introduction
• Learning Objectives
• Assessment and Measurement (Assignments)
• Instructional/ Learning Materials
• Learning Activities and Learner Interaction
• Course Technology
• Learner Support
• Accessibility and Usability

ASU Online Faculty Expectations website - See the Design Standards checklist for the QM standards that EdPlus has determined are the most essential in o-courses. Alternatively, you can complete this course quality self-check http://links.asu.edu/courseselfstudy.

By following our four-step process, design, build, review, and teach, your course should meet these quality standards!