Systematic Approach for Improving Accessibility and Usability in Online Courses

2018 ◽  
pp. 258-280
Author(s):  
Devrim Ozdemir ◽  
Vanessa Preast ◽  
Pamela Ann Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Design ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Systematic Approach ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Examination Process

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a systematic approach for improving accessibility and usability in online courses. Accessibility and usability are of particular importance to provide equal human development opportunities to those who have various disabilities in the digital age. The authors developed a systematic approach as a result of a comprehensive accessibility and usability review process of an actual online course. The review involved a team-based collaborative approach. The team consisted of an accessibility professional, an instructional design coordinator, and a course instructor who collaborated to perform the thorough examination process. The presented model is of particular importance to improve accessibility and usability of online courses, which in turn enhances the quality of human development for disabled learners.

scholarly journals Understanding Learner Behaviour in Online Courses through Learning Analytics

2021 ◽  
pp. 381-390
Author(s):  
D. Thammi Raju ◽  
G. R. K. Murthy ◽  
S. B. Khade ◽  
B. Padmaja ◽  
B. S. Yashavanth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Time Data

Building an effective online course requires an understanding of learning analytics. The study assumes significance in the COVID 19 pandemic situation as there is a sudden surge in online courses. Analysis of the online course using the data generated from the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS), Google Forms and Google Analytics was carried out to understand the tenants of an effective online course. About 515 learners participated in the initial pre-training needs & expectations’ survey and 472 learners gave feedback at the end, apart from the real-time data generated from LMS and Google Analytics during the course period. This case study analysed online learning behaviour and the supporting learning environment and suggest critical factors to be at the centre stage in the design and development of online courses; leads to the improved online learning experience and thus the quality of education. User needs, quality of resources and effectiveness of online courses are equally important in taking further online courses.

scholarly journals 9. Quality Matters: A Faculty-Centred Program to Assure Quality in Online Course Design

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Shattuck
Keyword(s):  
Review Process ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Quality Assurance Program ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Online Course Design ◽  
Quality Matters

One of the dilemmas faced by today’s faculty is assuring quality in online courses. As one solution to that dilemma, Quality Matters (QM), a program of MarylandOnline, built a rubric of design standards informed by existing research literature and best practices. The rubric was implemented within a faculty-centred, peer review process in which colleagues share their expertise to facilitate course design improvements and to achieve an established level of quality in online course design. This article will describe the basic tenets and processes of QM as an inter-institutional quality assurance program for online learning.

Building Quality Online Courses

2018 ◽  
pp. 309-331
Author(s):  
Veronica Outlaw ◽  
Margaret L. Rice ◽  
Vivian H. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Course Development ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Online Course Development ◽  
And Training

The authors have personally experienced the burdens of creating online courses without the assistance of trained instructional designers. Many faculty are employed in conditions where they develop online courses without the proper knowledge and training of many essential aspects that should accompany the development of an online course (e.g., design, development, learning styles, copyright, design principles, accessibility, incorporating technology, and technical skills) (Singleton et al., 2013; Speck, 2000; Wickersham et al., 2007). The authors propose and describe the use of a detailed online course development and delivery model (Outlaw & Rice, 2015) that was created to provide distance education units with a systematic approach to course development. The proposed model nourishes the partnerships between faculty and designers to improve the quality of online courses, while providing the support faculty need to successfully create online courses. The authors discuss a model that provides consistency in efforts to create efficient workflows to develop online courses.

scholarly journals Methodical requirements for training materials of on-line courses on the platform “Higher school mathematics teacher”

2020 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 10011
Author(s):  
Kateryna Vlasenko ◽  
Olena Chumak ◽  
Iryna Lovianova ◽  
Daria Kovalenko ◽  
Nataliia Volkova
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
School Mathematics ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Video Content ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Online Systems ◽  
Training Materials ◽  
On Line ◽  
Pdf Format

The article looks into the issue of developing methodical requirements for the structure and content of online courses. The study is dedicated to the analysis of peculiarities of developing the content of online systems and developing methodical recommendations to educational materials for online courses of training higher school mathematics teachers. The research considers the experts’ experience in preparing, structuring and developing the content for online courses and answers to volunteers who have agreed to test the educational materials of the course. The answers given by the participants have allowed estimating the quality of the developed course and detecting its insignificant drawbacks. The article discusses general requirements to the structure and content of the online course, means for the implementation of a testing subsystem, peculiarities of developing educational video content and educational materials in PDF format, issues of implementing forum and survey subsystems, as well as means of estimating learning outcomes. We have grounds to conclude that the quality of the course is determined by the range of factors, among which we point out the course organization based on weekly planning, implementation of a testing subsystem under conditions of extended functionality, creation of abilities to organize feedback.

Using Gagné's Events of Instruction to Analyze Online Course Quality

2011 ◽  
pp. 2231-2238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc R. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Design ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Design Quality ◽  
Course Quality ◽  
Events Of Instruction

Student perceptions of online courses are likely influenced by two overarching aspects of quality: instructor quality and course design quality (Ortiz-Rodriguez, Telg, Irani, Roberts & Rhoades, 2005). Both of these forces in online education may be analyzed using a well-known model of instructional design - Gagnés instructional design and cognition theory, the centerpiece of which are the nine events of instruction (Gagné, Wager, Golas, & Keller, 2004). Multiple studies positively correlate learner attitudes and perceptions of the online course to instructor quality. Early studies evaluating instructor quality attempted to correlate instructor quality with the attitude and perception of the learner, but not directly to learner success or course design quality. Researchers of online courses, such as Palloff & Pratt (2003), discussed the role of the instructor in depth while neglecting the roles of the learner, the institution, and course design. The main focus remained instructor-centered, and highlighted key instructor tasks such as understanding the virtual learner in terms of roles the learner plays, fostering team roles for the learner, designing an effective course orientation, and identifying potential legal issues the instructor might face (Palloff & Pratt, 2002, p. 16). A distant secondary focus was on effective course design. This highlighted instructor tasks in building an effective online learning community without highlighting the roles effective communication tools would play.

scholarly journals Evaluation Grid for xMOOCs

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Khalil ◽  
Hubert Brunner ◽  
Martin Ebner
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Massive Open Online

Massive Open Online Courses, shortly MOOCs, are a phenomenon nowadays. The number of courses is worldwide steadily increasing since Sebastian Thrun has offered a free online course for more than 100.000 students. Nowadays, decision makers and students as well as lecturers are asking about the quality of such courses. After a live experiment on 15 randomly chosen courses and a brief literature review, we discuss the possibility of finding an evaluation grid for xMOOCs. The finally suggested criteria can be used now for future investigations.

Most courses are not born digital

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangeline Marlos Varonis
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Review Process ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Shared Services ◽  
Online Course Design ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss benefits of and barriers to online learning and describe utilization of the Quality Matters (QM) peer review process as a method to assure the quality of online courses. It outlines the QM higher education rubric, explains how the collaborative QM peer review process facilitates online course design and certification, reports on the development of a statewide consortium in Ohio, and explores future directions in online courses. Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a brief historical review of the incorporation of technology into teaching and learning. It describes attitudes toward online learning and the creation of the non-profit QM program as a vehicle for improving online course design. It summarizes the eight standards of the QM rubric, describes the QM peer review process, and discusses the implementation of the Ohio QM Consortium (OQMC) as a shared services model. Findings – Given existing barriers to online learning, the QM program can improve learning outcomes by offering best practices in online course design, validating the quality of online courses, encouraging faculty buy-in through a focus on design rather than content, and facilitating degree completion through recognition of quality courses. Practical implications – Institutions that seek to validate online course quality in a cost-effective manner can explore a shared services model such as that developed by the OQMC. Originality/value – This paper introduces to an international audience a program and process, widely implemented in the USA, which encourages inter-institutional cooperation and promotes a supportive culture among online educators.

A Case Study of the Adult Learner's Perception of Instructional Quality in Web-Based Online Courses

2010 ◽  
pp. 271-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry T. Kidd ◽  
Holim Song
Keyword(s):  
Interaction Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Instructional Quality ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Online Distance Learning ◽  
Online Distance

This study assessed the perceptions of adult learners in online distance learning programs regarding the instructional quality of Web-based courses via WebCT. The results showed an overall positive perception regarding the instructional quality of online courses delivered via WebCT (M = 3.51, SD = 1.1362). The mean obtained for students’ perceptions regarding the instructional quality items ranged from 3.7 to 3.37. The visual appeal of Web site and appropriateness of the course materials received the highest rating (M = 3.625). Clarity and purpose in introduction to content components earned the lowest ratings (M = 3.37). These results were closely correlated to students’ responses regarding the important aspects of instructional quality of online courses. The most important aspect indicated by students was the idea of having online course content and materials relevant to the course. The results of the study also indicated other perceived aspects that affect students’ views of the instructional quality of an online course, including interaction, design, convenience, feedback, and usability.

A Practical Guide to Evaluate Quality of Online Courses

2010 ◽  
pp. 228-248
Author(s):  
Yungwei Hao ◽  
Gary Borich
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Course Structure ◽  
Decomposition Model ◽  
Practical Guide ◽  
Architectural Framework

This chapter introduces a graphic approach to define quality inonline courses. The Decomposition Model (Borich & Jemelka, 1982) is used to illustrate course structure and the salient characteristics of an effective online course. The constraints that influence the success of online courses are discussed. Salient transactions (activities) that occur in online coursesare described. And the means-end continuum in the process of online learning is illustrated graphically. The chapter is expected to provide readers with a whole picture of a qualityonline course through an architectural framework.

scholarly journals Designing for learning: What are the essential features of an effective online course?

1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Brown
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Design ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Economic Thought ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Online Delivery ◽  
University Courses ◽  
New Learning

<span>How do online courses differ from traditional university courses? What are the new learning demands made on students in online courses? Which particular design features optimise the teaching and learning process in an online delivery mode?</span><p>These were the questions explored in a collaborative course design project involving an economics lecturer and the instructional designer at Murdoch University. Emerging from the project is the fully online course <em>Economic Thought and Controversy</em>, together with an instructional design template. This template is now being applied to other courses in the discipline with the aim of transferring the whole economics programme to online delivery in 1998.</p><p>This paper describes the pedagogical rationale of the design template.</p>

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