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Course Technology

The items below are best practices as defined in the Quality Matters Rubric:

Tools and media used in the course support related learning objectives, and are contextually integrated with texts and lesson assignments. Students know how the tools and media support the assignments and how they support the learning objectives. Technology is not used simply for the sake of using technology. For example, a course might require viewing video materials, but it may not be clear how the video materials illustrate or support any learning objective.

Examples of tools include discussion boards, chat rooms, gradebook, whiteboard, etc. Examples of media include video, audio, animations, simulations, etc. Media are not required for this standard to be met. Rather, if media are used they should support the learning objectives and be contextually integrated.

Special situations: In some cases (check the Instructor Worksheet), the course objectives are institutionally mandated and the individual instructor does not have the authority to change them. For such cases, consider instead the module/unit-level objectives to assess and score Standard VI.1.

Alignment: This standard is included in Alignment. (Critical course components work together to ensure that students achieve the desired learning outcomes.)

Tools and media used in the course help students actively engage in the learning process, rather than passively absorbing information.

Quality Matters Suggestions:

  1. Automated "self-check" exercises requiring student response
  2. Animations, simulations, and games that require student input
  3. Software that tracks student interaction and progress
  4. Use of discussion tools with automatic notification or "read/unread" tracking feature

For this standard, the term technologies may cover a range of plug-ins such as Acrobat Reader, media players, etc. In addition, courses may require special software packages (spreadsheets, math calculators, etc.). Clear instructions list the required software and plug-ins, along with instructions for obtaining and installing these items.

Assessments, activities, instructional materials, tools, and media make use of the available technologies and meet current standards for widespread accessibility.

Quality Matters Suggestions:

  1. Large text files are presented with a table of contents or unit numbering.
  2. If most students have access to DVD players or use streaming media, use of those delivery modes in an online class meets this standard. If the typical student cannot be expected to have access to a technology at his or her out-of-the-box home computer off-campus, that technology should probably not be used in the course.
  3. If some of the course resources, including textbooks, videos, CD-ROMs, etc., are only available in the face-to-face sessions and are unavailable within the framework of the course website, the instructor should indicate how students who miss the face-to-face sessions would gain access to them.
  4. Learning activities in science lab courses utilize the appropriate delivery mode (online or face-to-face) for each activity.
  5. The technology is used in a way to preserve student confidentiality with regard to grades and communication with the instructor.
  6. Quizzes and exams are given with time limitations, printing disabled, and other security measures.

The instructional materials, resources, tools, and media should be easily accessible, obtainable, and useable by the student. Students need to know about and be able to obtain access to educational resources by remote access. Information on these resources is readily visible with clear instructions on how to access the resources.

Quality Matters Suggestions:

  1. For textbooks, CD/DVDs, etc., instructors provide the title, author, publisher, ISBN number, copyright date, and information as to where copies can be obtained.
  2. A navigation button is devoted to Resources and appropriately tied in with the overall course design.
  3. The instructor mails to students a custom CD prepared for the course.
  4. An explanation of how to obtain full-text journal articles is provided in the assignment that requires their use.

Innovative technologies appear on the market all the time, and course technology should be current and reflect an evolution of the field of online education. As new versions of a course management system are released, instructors should integrate the new features into their courses to ensure that students have the most effective and efficient access to the courses. Courses not recently developed may need to be updated . Check the Instructor Worksheet to determine whether this is controlled by the instructor or the institution. In either case, the reviewer should comment on updates and upgrades that could be included.

As a reviewer, consider that the tools and media available to an instructor may vary greatly, and are sometimes limited by the access and support provided by the institution. Be sure to check the Instructor Worksheet.

Examples of some current technologies that will make the course content and activities more available and interesting to students:

  • Using compressed files to reduce file downloading time
  • Delivering audio files in a common file type such as Windows Media or RealPlayer
  • Using podcasts instead of audiocassettes
  • Using CD/DVDs rather than VHS tapes
  • In Blackboard, renaming of the default navigation buttons and use of the Assignment feature rather than the Digital Drop Box feature
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Higher Learning Commission Mark of Affiliation © 2009 Chippewa Valley Technical College
620 W Clairemont Ave Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: (715) 833-6200 | Toll-free: 1-800-547-CVTC | Fax: (715) 833-6470