Best Practices

The Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) uses the following checklist adapted from Quality Matters to ensure online courses follow best practices:

Include a getting started checklist (AKA - course tour or course navigation guide).

 

Include a Start Here folder or learning module on the home page that contains pertinent preliminary course information.

 

Include a link to the first or all learning modules (week, chapter, module, unit) on home page. If you make your home page the weekly assignments, this is covered.

 

Include a course syllabus that includes the minimum requirements set by the common course syllabus as well as the following components. (See the "Handouts" Sidebar for a sample.)

  • Methods of Communication
  • Minimum Computer Literacy Skill Requirements
  • Minimum Technology Requirements
  • Testing Procedures
  • Code of Conduct
  • Copyright Statement
  • Technical Support Resources
  • Academic Support Resources
  • Student Support Resources

 

Include an assessment checklist/course outline with due dates, point values, and assignment location (may be included in syllabus). I have a semester Tentative Schedule as well as weekly To Do Lists. See the "Handouts" Sidebar to the left for a sample.

 

Include an instructor welcome statement (text, audio, video, slideshow, etc.). (Click here for a sample.)

 

Include a student introduction discussion forum.

See sample image:

Inclue a course information quiz (AKA - Scavenger Hunt or Syllabus Quiz). I allow students to take the quiz as many times as possible in order to have 100%. They must pass it with 100% to proceed with the course. I also include a signature line where they have to agree to the course policies.  

Include a question & answer discussion forum. You can often subscribe to these forums so an email is sent to you immediately after a question is posted.

 

Include fonts and colors that enhance the viewing and reading of content. This is where SoftChalk comes in handy. It is already ADA compliant and includes a variety of easy-to-read colors and formats.

 

Include an overview/learning plan for each learning module to include target competency, learning activities, and assessment activities.

I do this in the form of a To Do List: