With guidance from the Online Learning Advisory Council and recipients of the Excellence in Online Teaching Award, an internal course review process has been established based on the Quality Essentials standards. Using this new process and accompanying review tool, faculty are now able to conduct a detailed self-review of their own courses, then submit that review for additional review and feedback by a CITL staff member. Courses that meet all the Quality Essentials will be recognized as NIU quality online courses.
Review Details
A course that has met researched quality design standards is more likely to support student success. The course review phase of Quality Essentials was developed to provide NIU faculty with an opportunity to have their online courses reviewed independently by a trained CITL staff member. The course review phase takes place after faculty complete their self-review of the online course and is conducted in the same online platform. There is no need to duplicate efforts; requesting a external review is just one click in the system. Once the faculty request the external review, they will be assigned a CITL staff member or peer reviewer to review their course design, provide feedback, and verify that the course meets Quality Essentials standards.
Benefits to Quality Essentials Review
- Qualified courses will be recognized with a course badge which can be displayed on the course banner or course syllabus
- Department leadership will be formally notified of the accomplishment and the designation of the course as meeting Quality Essentials standards.
- Faculty and courses will receive positive acknowledgement and recognition with other NIU Quality Essentials Online Courses.
- Documentation will be provided to faculty on their achievement and commitment to quality course design for the tenure track review process.
- Faculty and courses can proceed to higher levels of recognition, including the Quality Matters review, the Exemplary Course Program, and the NIU’s Excellence in Online Teaching Award.
Submit Your Course for Review
For more details and to submit your online course for review, visit the Quality Essentials Course Review webpage.
