Introduction
The UCLA Extension Course Quality Guide is a checklist that can be used to evaluate whether a course meets the institution's baseline quality standards.
The guide is based on OLC’s Course Design Review Scorecard to help align our institution to national quality standards and course design best practices.
Six Major Quality Areas
The UCLA Extension Course Quality Guide includes six major quality areas that frame the review process. Each quality area contains individual quality standards (for a total of 38 quality standards being reviewed).
To explore the major quality areas, click each tab below.
Course Syllabus
- Addresses whether the course contains a detailed and learner-centered syllabus
- Does the syllabus provide clarity regarding the purpose, expectations, policies, and content of the course?
Course Organization and Structure
- Addresses how content is organized and accessed in Canvas
- Focuses on the ease and consistency of course navigation for the student
- Is there consistent organization from one course to another in the larger certificate?
Course Content (Text & Media)
- Focuses on the presentation and experience of course content
- Addresses the delivery of text and the relevant use of media in the course to support student learning outcomes
Accessibility
- Determines whether course content is accessible and considerate of diverse audiences
- Ensures the readability and usability of content
- Are there any design barriers for learners?
Interaction
- Addresses whether the course provides opportunities for student-to-student and instructor-to-student interaction
- Is there consistent communication and are there collaborative activities that help build a sense of community online?
Assessment/Evaluation
- Addresses ways in which the course allows an instructor and student to measure the student's progress toward learning outcomes
- Does the course give students opportunities for receiving feedback and providing feedback on the course experience?
Download the Checklist
You can use the criteria in the checklist below as a guide to evaluating the quality of your course. Reference this checklist as you develop your course and prior to your course launch.
Click the link below to access and download the UCLA Extension's Course Quality Standards Checklist.