2.0 - Course Delivery, Organization and Design
Delivery, Organization and Design- Online courses will be designed and delivered to meet the needs and resources of the instructor and students. Presentation of course content will be designed to provide an optimal learning experience with an emphasis on accessibility.
2.1 Delivery - Online courses are created for online delivery using the USF selected LMS. Offline content available to reduce student workload, expenses and increase accesssibility.
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Minimum

Exceeds
2.1a Web-Based
Primary delivery environment is web-based.



-All information digitized and available in web-based format

-Lesson zero and week 1 available in format to be emailed to students waiting for BB access

-content also available in off-line resource should access to internet be interrupted

 

2.1b Blackboard
Use USF Learning Management system (Blackboard)



-All information accessible through Blackboard

-reusable content posted in BB content management resource or ITT server

-class roster saved as digital format after drop/add period

2.1c Off-line content
Provide additional off-line content (CD/DVD, supplemental packets) to improve access to materials.



-Use of supplemental packet for articles

-download class roster in digital format after drop/add period

-Use of supplemental packet for ppt handouts

-Articles in supplemental packet are also available within the course website

-Use of CD/DVD for instructor videos and multimediacontent

2.1d

Technical Support
Provide support during course development and delivery. (faculty and student)



-Technical support via
email and phone within 24 hours, 7 days a week

-Use of Live Chat and toll-free telephone support during business hours

-Support during exams maximum 4 hours. No make-up exam support.

-'Full Support' courses receive services as defined by ETA.

-'Limited Support' courses receive services as defined by ETA.

-Create external link on bottom of course website to the ETA technology assistance website. Select option to open into new window.

-select options for assessment deployment which reduce the chance for technical problems

 
2.2 Organization -The online course content should be modularized and sequenced using the tools available in the LMS. Content should be grouped and sequenced in a manner that enables learners to achieve the performance objectives.

2.2a

Cluster content
Course organization broken into 'Lesson' clusters
 

-use of folders to group content clusters

-minimum of 1 week or topic for a cluster

 

-use of modules incorporating smaller units.

2.2b

Sequence
'Lessons' are sequenced in logical order.
 

-sequenced by time

-logical sequence of topics

-vacation/holiday breaks are indicated on course website

-sequential clusters annotated with numbers or dates

 

2.2c

Learning Components
'Lessons' include learning components.

(Pre-instructional, content delivery, practice/participation, assessment)

 

-each content cluster includes first 3 lesson learning components

-grouped within a folder

-presented in order:
-- pre-instructional
-- content
-- participation/practice
-- assessment

 

-presented on 1 page, or can be linked by 'main' webpage for the cluster

-content clusters includes all learning components

2.2d

Accessibility
Course organized to promote accessibility.
 

-no more than 3 clicks to get to any information.

-use of buttons, folders, internal course links

-formatted for 800x600 resolution

-use entire url for hyperlinks outside of course website

-written instructions to access BB

-accomodations for students with disabilities made as needed

-meets priority I for 508 compliance (checked with Bobby auditing software)

-use of css style sheets

-limited use of tables, no nested tables

2.3 Consistency and Accuracy- Information is presented in a consistent format and reviewed for accuracy to reduce confusion.
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Minimum

Exceeds

2.3a

Terminology
Course terminology is consistent and accurate.
 

-same term used to indentify type of assessement

-same term used to indicate method of text communication (email vs. messaging)

-same term used to define type of 'lesson'

-reviewed by instructor at least 1 week before deployment

-use of glossary for new terminology related to course content.

2.3b

Location of content
Consistent location and procedure for accessing content.
 

-content and assessments located in a consistent location within a cluster

-reviewed by instructor at least 1 week before deployment

-use of path when referring to location of content
(e.g. Sessions>Session 1>View)-or- use of internal course links

2.3c

Duplicate Content
Limited duplication of information within course website.
 

-use of internal course links

-use of e-reserves

-post reusable content to server or BB content management system

2.3d

Course Schedule
Use of Course/Assignment schedule

 

-provide table with course schedule and assignment due dates/pt values in syllabus

 

-include type of assignment

-include method of submission if it changes for group and individual assignments

-convert course schedule to webpage to be included in course on BB

2.3e

Reviewed for accuracy
Course content, dates, links, reviewed by instructor for accuracy before deployment.

 

  -course instructor reviews course at least 1 week before it is made available to students. -instructor reviews for accuracy more than 1 week before it is made available to students
2.4 Visual Design/Aesthetics Use of a branded look and feel with an emphasis on online readability.
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Minimum

Exceeds

2.4a

Banner
Course shell displays unique banner.

 

- Use template. Includes course name and number.

-Measures no bigger than width-720px height-200px

-Reflects colors and graphics from target audience

-consistent with navigation of course menu

 

-Unique banner that meets other minimum standards for dimensions, colors and graphics.

 

2.4b

Text/Readability
Text and instructions within course website formatted for adult learners reading online.
 

-minimum 11 pt for body text

-limit to 2 typeface styles.

-bold or highlight for emphasis, or use 1 color consistently for emphasis

-underline for links only

-limit number of colors for text (preferably dark colors not blue)

-avoid any reference to color for actions

-font style from those available in BB WYSIWYG editor unless used in a graphic

-use complete URL for hyperlinks to external websites

-instructions greater than 2 paragraphs should be downloadable

-target resolution 800x600

-information chunked.
-- use of paragraphs
-- left alignment
-- paragraphs limited to
80 character width
--use of headers

-Use of a typefaces- verdana, arial, helvetica

-Use whitespace between paragraphs

-remove spaces between headers and content so it appears as a chunk of text in menu items in Blackboard

 

-use of style sheets

-use of 'go to top' link for scrolling content

2.4c

Colors/Graphics
Consistent use of color scheme, theme, icons and fonts. Graphics and colors enhance learning.

 

-neutral background colors

-use of dark colors for text and bullets

-use of blue (with underlining) for hyperlinks within body text

-use of consistent color for emphasis or contrast with text

-graphics used to enhance content

-limit number of colors on course website to 2 (in addition to black and white)

-use of metaphor or theme throughout course

-use template with consistent design for Powerpoints.

-use animation for emphasis when needed or demonstration

2.4d Course Navigation
Visual design enhances usability.
 

-remove unused navigation links on BB course menu

-use internal course links

-navigation panel design matches and enhances course banner

-avoid buttons which are distracting or have poor contrast between text on button name and button design

-rename navigation links to reflect associated content

-limit access to 3 'clicks'

-limit number of buttons/links on course menu to 7

-folders within folders accessible with 1 click

-provide tour of course website if unique navigation part of course

-limit the need to scroll on course webpage or provide links within webpage

-links to websites or content opens in new window