Consistency is what makes an Online Course that is of high quality

The number of online courses is increasing and increasing. In 2018, there were nearly 7 million students were enrolled for online-based courses. In 2020 82% of all K-12 students went to schools that provided some form of instruction via remote. What is a quality online course though? We're aware that there are criteria for evaluating a the quality of teaching, however, online courses are distinct. It involves the integration of communication, technology and learning that isn't exactly like traditional classes. The evaluation of what is the most effective online course has to be based on a variety of parameters.

What are the criteria to determine what the best way to measure efficiency? What is it? Is it the number of high-grades there are, or the number of students who pass? Is this the course with the highest post-course assessment? Are you sure it is the most appealing course or the one with the highest number of students enrolled each semester? Is it the most technically-oriented with flashy software or hyperlinks? The best practice should be taken into account and then create a course in accordance with the requirements of students as well as the institution. What constitutes a quality online course should fit into the larger assessment objectives of the school and its strategies.


What constitutes an effective and successful course differ. According to certain experts instructors, contact with students and technology applications, collaborative learning, diversified learning expectations, active learning of time on task, and timely feedback should be incorporated and discussed in an quality online course. Others recommend that there is a proper pace for students to learn and function effectively. Good courses create the feeling of being part of a community, where students are able to interact with other students to ask questions and form group discussions. They also contain multimedia like videos and interactive games, as well as podcasts and offer the possibility of self-directed learning. The courses should be simple to navigate, offer different ways to explore for students looking to explore more and cater to learners of all styles and preferences.


What technology creates a great course? It's tempting to incorporate a lot of advanced technology elements in the course. But good courses avoid using excessive technological elements because it can become too overwhelming and can hinder learning. Some believe that including videos within your course is great. Videos in classes allow the instructor to give a sense presence within the online course and provide information easily digestible, smaller chunks. Also, they encourage the design of courses that are accessible and have data collection in mind , to identify and evaluate possibilities to improve.


The design of courses is an significant factor that can influence the online student's performance and engagement. Certain studies have shown that access, assessment, and interaction are extremely important. The way in which the instructor chunked and organised the course material as well as how they interacted with students assessed the course and mapped out objectives were highly rated. Courses that included additional readings, tests videos, lectures, and opportunities to reflect and higher-order thinking, as well as employing numerous ways to apply learning were considered to be high-quality courses. Other reports mention components to teachers, which are the primary assessment method. Teachers must be aware of their subject thoroughly to be able to answer questions and give more information when needed. The course design should take consider all learning styles.


Communication is also crucial. It is important to be clear about expectations and contact details should be made available for tech assistance, as well as the instructor's documentation on resources should be made available with instructions on how to use social media, discussion forums chats, email, and chats. Course syllabuses and materials for the course must be easily accessible and navigate with a simple navigation through the course. Another study cited instructional skills as the top component of a course that is effective to engage students. These strategies are designed to increase the presence of instructors and connection, engagement as well as student learning. Faculty suggested making use of various assessments such as rubrics, course templates as well as a quality-assurance review procedure, and the collection of data to analyze.


Rapid feedback and response, availability and presence, and regular communication were among the facilitation techniques that the award-winning instructors employed.

As you will see, a institution's or school's viewpoint is a significant factor in the creation of the most effective online course. If the goal is to assess learning then post-assessments and surveys could be the best way to gauge. It could be as straightforward as student assessments of instructor performance , or looking at pass/fail rates or rates of student completion/drop-out in online classes. It could be as simple as the ease of use and the level of positive responses to the interface that is being utilized. A school could have a rubric for quality standards, with pre-defined elements to be included into the online course. It is crucial to integrate these standards into the strategic plan of the school and to determine which students benefit the most. The program should be applied in a consistent manner to every existing and new course in order to evaluate the success year-over-year. After a couple of years it is recommended to conduct reviews to ensure that the measures are in place and that standards are being adhered to. In the end, you are able to pick any aspect you like, but an organized approach is the key to ensuring an effective online course and online learning program.