Evaluating a Distance Learning Course

In reviewing the iNACOL, Quality Matters and ISTE article on standards for online courses, I observed something. The articles all talked about the same thing but on different levels. The iNACOL standards are very through with topic areas and explanations of specific criteria under each area. ISTE Teacher standards state what the standard is and an explanation of outcomes that teacher should accomplish. Quality Matters is simply a rubric with topic areas to be evaluated and a description on what falls under each area with points. I found the QM rubric easier to use for course review but iNACOL a point of reference for explanation of the criteria in the rubric. The elements that are discussed in the standards are essential to any course regardless of the content. The ten elements that I found to be important in evaluating a course are:

1. Course Overview & Introduction- Providing students with an explanation of what the course is all about, the specifications of the course (grades, due dates, unit topic areas, prerequisites, instructor contact information), explanation of course navigation.
2. Learning Objectives (Competencies) - State what students are expected to learn and its application to real-world activities/situations.
3. Assessment and Measurement - Ensuring that assessments are appropriately aligned to subject standards and the appropriate challenge level of students and learning objectives.
4. Instructional Materials-Incorporate all students and their learning abilities; are properly aligned with objective and standards. 
5. Learner Interaction and Engagement- Activities engage students in the process of learning; suitable activities that promote interaction between students and instructor as well as students and their peers.
6. Course Technology- Selection of appropriate technology that will engage students as active learners, current and students can successfully navigate and access.
7. Learner Support - Students can receive academic support as well as technical support using LMS and course content.
8. Accessibility - All students can access the LMS and content information; appropriate accommodation needs are met; distractions are minimal or eliminated; accessibility technology can be used in collaboration with content.
9. Course Updates- Up to date and relevant course material is used.  Minimum update of every three years.
10. Assessing Course Effectiveness-Use of course evaluation, peer reviews, etc. to assess the effectiveness of the course.

The elements that are imperative to the content of business courses are, instructional materials and  course updates.  The world of business is dynamic.  It is constantly changing.  Instructors teaching this content area need to stay current in their professional development and interaction with business leaders to ensure they are teaching relevant content that truly prepares students for the workplace.  In addition to content changes, standards change also as the content changes.  In Michigan, the OCTE keeps educators abreast of these changes.  As CTE teachers are required to maintain articulation agreements as well as evaluate their programs, there is no doubt that their content will stay up to date.

The five elements that were not included are:

1. Certification- Credentials of the Instructor
2. Technology Requirements and Interoperability- Requirements for the technology used in the course; content use across LMS.
3. Legal and Acceptable Use Policies-Anti-bias content, privacy statements, academic dishonesty
4. Data Security-Protection of student information
5. Course, Unit , & Lesson Design- Organization and presentation of course material

These elements were not included due primarily to school policies and procedures.  Certification was not included because teachers must be high qualified to teach in their content.  The exception is emergency permit situations.  In the case of online learning this would be irrelevant as it is not based on location.  Technology requirements and Interoperability were not considered because today, most LMS related to education are not only accessible on a computer but also on mobile devices.  As instructors search for systems, it is imperative to keep this in mind as students on various SES have access to technology in various ways.  Interoperability is something that an instructor should consider based on their technology/LMS use.  The question is how much time will an instructor have and will they want to put the effort into moving from one LMS to another?  Legal and Acceptable use policies were not considered because they are apart of the requirements for maintaining the course with the State/Federal mandates in CTE.  In addition they are also a part of the school's policies and code of conduct for students.  There would simply be links to the information as well as mention in the syllabus.  Data security was also not considered for two reasons.  Grades are posted in a separate system, specifically Infinite Campus.  Because the school is a Google School all students have am email address assigned along with a network username and password after the Acceptable Use Policy is signed by students and parents annually. Requiring students to use this information keeps them and their data secure.  Lastly, course, unit, and lesson design were not considered because this will depend on course material and the outcomes desired by the instructor and standards.