Online Teaching Best Practices
Although the landscape of teaching and learning has been expanding through the advent of emerging technologies, the core principles of excellence in teaching and learning remain constant.

The complete YC Online Standards document is a great place to start. You can also watch some short videos further describing each of the five areas of the YC standards here.

Additionally, the Quality Matters initiative offers an excellent rubric for evaluating and online course.

Learner Support and Resources

Course contains links to available campus resources for online learners.
Course offers access to a wide range of resources supporting course content.

(You can see a short video of this section of the guidelines by clicking here.)

Online Organization and Design

Course is well-organized and easy to navigate. Students can clearly understand all components and structure of the course.
Course syllabus identifies and clearly delineates the role the online environment will play in the total course.
Aesthetic design presents and communicates course information clearly throughout the course, including customized buttons and banner.
All web pages are visually and functionally consistent throughout the course.
Student accessibility to all online media is addressed.

(You can see a short video of this section of the guidelines by clicking here.)

Instructional Design and Delivery

Course goals are clearly defined and aligned to learning objectives.
Learning objectives are identified, and learning activities are clearly integrated.
Course provides visual, textual, kinesthetic, and/or auditory activities to enhance student learning.
Course provides multiple activities that help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

(You can see a short video of this section of the guidelines by clicking here.)

Assessment and Evaluation of Student Learning

Course has timely and appropriate activities to assess student readiness for course content and mode of delivery.
Learning objectives are closely aligned with instructional and assessment activities.
Ongoing multiple assessment strategies are used to measure content knowledge, attitudes, and skills.
Regular feedback about student performance is provided in a timely manner throughout the course.
Student self-assessments and peer feedback opportunities exist throughout the course.

(You can see a short video of this section of the guidelines by clicking here.)

Appropriate and Effective Use of Technology

Course uses a variety of technology tools to appropriately facilitate communication and learning.
New teaching methods are applied to enhance student learning and interactively engage students.
A variety of multimedia elements and/or learning objects that are relevant to student learning are used throughout the course.
Course optimizes Internet access and effectively engages students in the learning process in a variety of ways throughout the course.

(You can see a short video of this section of the guidelines by clicking here.)