Implementing the Rubric

There are many ways to implement Chico State’s Rubric for Online Instruction into an online course to make it an exemplary course. The first thing I noticed in reviewing the rubric is that it contains all the components of a exceptionally planned and implemented course with the addition of the technical aspects of using the technology to offer the course via a distance – a Rubric for Instruction would be a very similar document.

Learner Support and Resources
As on online course, the instructor can add links to additional resources supporting the course content. Also, the instructor can potentially be more available than in a face-to-face course because of the access to email and typically online instructors spend a great deal of time online, thus making themselves more available via email.

Assessment and Evaluation of Student Learning
In an online class the instructor can create multiple short quizzes to quickly assess the students’ knowledge/skills of the content. Also class polls are easier to administer in an online class since everyone has access to that technology, which they typically do not in face-to-face courses. It is always important that learning outcomes, instruction and assessment are all aligned. This can be demonstrated to the students by including links to the objectives from the activities they satisfy.

Online Organization and Design
Online courses’ web pages need to be consistent visually and in supplying links and content. This lets the students know they are still on the class website and how the class is organized. This is important when extensive links to outside resources are used.

Innovative Teaching with Technology
A variety of technology and multimedia should be used to engage students and enhance the learning. Short videos are easier to create now than ever before and can show students in a few seconds what would take several minutes to describe. Including relevant podcasts for those students who would like to know more about a topic can engage the students as well.

Instructional Design and Delivery
Student to student and student to instructor interaction can be greater in online classes by encouraging the online chat function. In my experience there is more interaction in an online class when the instructor encourages chatting than in face-to-face courses. Also the use of students’ microphones encourages more interaction since it is much easier to speak a question or comment than to type one.

Faculty Use of Student Feedback
Faculty need to use the feedback in planning instruction and assessments. If there are several opportunities throughout the course for students to give feedback, the instructor can update the course as needed. If all the students are falling behind, the instructor needs to adjust the pace and check for understanding. Using online forms makes it easier to evaluate the results and compare them with future assessments.