3.0 - Instructional Elements
3.1 Performance Objectives and Assessments. Objectives and Assessments are created, aligned and communicated to provide an optimal learning experience for online students.
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Minimum

Exceeds
3.1a Performance Objectives
Each lesson includes performance objectives

-Tool- performance objective creation tool

-communicated to student
-overt and measurable
-consistent with course learning objectives
-can be performed online
-PO's written at highest cognitive level
-includes condition and criteria

-use of competencies for development of PO's

3.1b

Assessment Methods
Assessment methods are varied and aligned with performance
objective
 

-assessments match PO's cognitive level

-minimum 3 methods of assessment

-course has objective and subjective assessments

-assessments based on ETA measurement and
evaluation guidelines

-includes a form of feedback (score, grade, comments)

-assess all PO's

-use question pools

-utilize software settings to secure exams

-use 'authentic assessment' methods

3.1c

Communicate Expectations
Communicate required peformances (knowledge) to be successful with an assessment
 

-use grading rubric or list tasks, values and criteria with subjective assessments

-communicate to students before assessment deployed

-rubrics include a minimum of 3 gradations of quality with associated criteria

-use as evaluation tool and communicate tool after assessed

-provide study guides or other tools to assist students with focussing on information to be assessed.

-provide 'guidelines for success' in syllabus

3.1d

Method selection
Select the most effective methods to deploy/distribute/submit assessments.
 

-utilize software settings to reduce technical problems (do not select forced completion)

-ID assists with BB tool selection and settings to ensure most efficient and effective method selected

-assessment settings for objective tests allow students to save work as they progress.


3.2 Content and Learning Resources-
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Minimum

Exceeds

3.2a

Content supports
Content supports objectives and assessments.
 

-can identify the PO associated with the content

-information must be new to students

-sufficient content provided to complete assessment

-converted to digital format (except textbook)

-help students focus on critical information

3.2b

Content Integrated
Content is integrated with ‘lesson’ learning components
 

-content is directly tied to the pre-instructional activities, practice and assessment

-'content delivery' part of the learning component includes guided learning

-content presented after pre-instructional activities and before practice and assessment

 

3.2c

Content Quality and Quantity
Quantity and quality of content is reasonable for credit hours,
academic level and amount of time allocated for completion
 

-only essential content is required

-supplemental content is labeled as optional

-amount of time to review content is obtainable based on all tasks within a lesson using the guideline of 3 hours coursework per credit hour

-essential content created by instructor is available online and offline
3.2d Instructional Methods
A variety of instructional methods incorporated
 

-appropriate for the 'lesson' learning component

-at least 2 types for each 'lesson' learning component within a semester

-includes content delivery and guided learning

-more than 2 instructional methods for the 'content delivery' learning component

-use of active learning (rather than passive learning) for instructional methods

3.2e Copyright
All efforts are made to adhere to copyright laws.
 

-use of streaming videos for copyrighted content

-Follow TEACH Act for all content

-obtain copyright permissions for articles to be used more than 2 semesters

-use of e-reserves for articles

-communicate permissions to distribute instructor materials and notes

 

3.3 Practice and Self-Assessments- Practice with feedback is incorporated throughout the course to provide the learner with an opportunity to master the content/skills.
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Faculty

Designer

3.3a

Practice Integrated
Practice is integrated with ‘lesson’ learning components
 

-students provided opportunity to practice

-practice is directly tied to the pre-instructional activities, content delivery and assessment

-practice supports objectives and assessments

-practice is presented after pre-instructional activities and content, but before assessment

-location of practice on same webpage as other content in lesson

3.3b

Practice Enhances
Practice enhances student learning and proficiency
 

-practice is performed at the same level as assessment

-more than 1 method of practice within a semester

-use of 'authentic' assessment

-multiple methods of practice within a semester

-practice question for each major performance objective

-practice for each 'lesson'

3.3c Feedback
Practice includes constructive feedback
Examples of Constructive
Feedback

-feedback for correct and incorrect answers

-use student centered techniques (if applicable)

 

-use of recursive feedback

-use of specific feedback

-branching for details or another chance to practice

 

3.4 Grouping and Interaction -Student are provided opportunity to interact. Groups are used to enhance learning.
3.4a

Use of Groups
Use of groups is instructionally warranted.

 

Use groups if:
-integral to performance objective

-creates an enhanced combined effect

-is used for motivation, community development or social cohesion

-individualized instruction provided for content presentation which is complex and new to the learner

-Use of groups for virtual study

-use of recitation groups to provide guided learning or practice when students need additional explanation of concepts.

 

3.4b Group composition
Group composition yields the most effective outcome based on the
type of activity and desired performance.
 

-group work- limit 4-5 people (no less than 4)

-collaboration- limit to 25 people

-avoid changing groups during course unless warranted by performance objectives

-use of selective characteristics to encourage interaction to compose the groups
(groups should have a mix of characteristics)

-use learning communities

3.4c Expectations
Student expectations (conduct, type of work, criteria) is
communicated before work is initiated.
Example of Student Expectations

-provide ETA netiquette guidelines

-include criteria for the expected performance

 

-provided intermittant feedback or

-use of rubric with at least 3 gradations of quality.

3.4d Communication
Selection of synchronous and asynchronous communication is
based on the type of activity, desired performance, target audience and available resources.
Selecting asynchronous vs. synchronous communication.

-students have more than one method to communicate

-limit use of synchronous communication to increase participation and to provide immediate feedback

-provide option for synchronous or asynchronous communication if synchronous communication is applicable

-asynchronous solutions used when students cannot be together at the same time, or required time to process information before discussing/practicing it.

-use synchronous software for students working on group projects

 

3.4e Student Interaction
Use student to student interaction effectively.
 

-if it enhances learning
-communicate timeframe
-provide specific instructions
-offer more than 1 method of communication
-if supported by objectives

-provide an area for student-student communication about non-course related topics

-provide tutorials on communication tools used within BB

3.4f Conduct
Guidelines for conduct in groups and student-student interactions are communicated.
 

-use netiquette guidelines
-provide written or verbal instructions for completion and grading

-suggested timeframe for completion/tasks
3.5 Pacing-
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Minimum

Exceeds

3.5a

Content pacing
Quantity and quality of content is reasonable for credit hours, academic level and amount of time allocated for completion.
 

-all 'lesson' learning components can be completed in the alloted period of time

-allocate 3 hours of work for every credit hour

 

3.5b

First week of class
Reduce the workload and expectations during first week of class.
 

-assignments or assessments are not due during the first week

-all content in first week is available outside of Blackboard

-students given opportunity to experience Blackboard tools they will use in their course

-provide tour of course

-provide opportunity for students to network

3.5c Pacing Group Work
Amount of time allocated for group work/ collaboration is sufficient
and communicated to students.
 

-form groups after the first week of the course

-allow at least 2 weeks for group or collaboration

-provide due dates in one location in syllabus or course website

-provide week for group work without new content

3.5d Technology for pacing
Technology is used to increase ‘time on task’ for students.
 

-use BB tools to communicate timeline, ongoing performance

-use calendar or schedule

-changes to syllabus or due dates is communicated via announcements and/or email

-give suggested guidelines for intermittant due dates

3.6 Instructional Media (audio/video/animations)
Standard

Examples/Tools:

Minimum

Exceeds

3.6a

Delivery Format
Strive for the most effective delivery format (CD, DVD, online) for
instructional media (based on resources, target audience, logistics, amount of change required to content, performance objectives)
 

-all media available in digital format

-compress video/audio files for both dial-up and DSL/Cable connection speeds

 

-content developed by instructor, which does not required frequent updates, is available on off-line media (CD/DVD)

 

3.6b

Quality and Effectiveness of Media
Strive for the highest quality and most effective instructional media.
 

-start with highest quality audio vide before compression

-use of audio in presentations for gaining attention, or to enhance information on presentation

-provide downloadable audio files for content review
3.6c Control of Media
Use navigational controls in self-paced and multimedia content.
  -includes stop, pause, play, rewind, audio on/off

-use of slider bar

3.6d File Formats
Strive for the most effective file formats and application software.
 

-use of .pdf and .doc for text

-use of .jpg/.gif for images

-use of .png for screen capture

-use of .mp3 for audio

-use of .wmv and .mov files for streaming video greater than 5 minutes

-use of .flv for video files < 5 minutes

-narrated presentations available in .swf format