Minimum Standards for Online Course Instruction

In 2008, the Chesapeake College faculty approved the following guidelines for online teaching.

1. The instructor uses strategies to encourage active learning, interaction, participation and collaboration in the online environment.
2. The instructor promotes student success through regular feedback, prompt response and clear expectations.
3. The instructor models, guides and encourages legal, ethical, safe, and collegial behavior related to the use of online learning tools.
4. The instructor is responsive to diverse talents and ways of learning.
5. The instructor selects and implements assessments that appropriately measure student-learning outcomes.

As the college plans for expansion of our online offerings and responds to more rigorous standards for accreditation, the Distance Learning committee (now the Committee for Teaching and Learning) recommended more specific requirements for online instruction, beginning with a set of minimum standards that are expected of everyone who teaches online or hybrid courses. The minimum standards include the following tasks.

Course Preparation and Start-up:

1. A clearly written, well-organized syllabus is posted in the appropriate Canvas section one week before the first day of the semester.
2. A welcome message or announcement to students is posted in the appropriate Canvas section one week before the first day of the semester.  This message describes what students should do to prepare for class.
3. An icebreaker or introductory discussion is ready on day one of the semester.
4. The course is ready to be taught: content, learning activities, and assessments are present and organized.

Instructor Responsiveness:

1. The instructor is present in an online course at least four out of every seven days.
2. The instructor responds to student emails or messages about the course within 24 hours, except for weekends and holidays.  
3. Grades on major assignments and tests are returned within one week of the due date.
4. The instructor engages in meaningful interaction with the class at least once per week. 
5. The instructor provides multiple, recurring opportunities for students to receive timely feedback.