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Peer Course Review

Overview

In 2006, the Distance Learning Department and the Distance Learning Advisory Committee recognized the need for an evaluation of online course offerings. This evaluation would ensure that all online course offerings, regardless of instructor or discipline, would meet a common level of acceptability regarding seven key areas. These areas would include

  1. Course overview and introduction: The course design, navigational information, and all needed coruse information is provided to the student at the beginning of the course;
  2. Learning objectives and assessment: learning objectives are clearly stated and assessment strategines measures learning;
  3. Resources and materials: Instructional materials are high quality and appropriate to meet course learning objectives.
  4. Learner interaction: Making effective use of instructor-student interactions, student cooperation, and student-content;
  5. Course technology: Course technology enriches instruction and enhances student interactive learning;
  6. Learner support: Course is effectively supported for students through fully accessible modes of delivery, resoruces, and student support;
  7. ADA compliance: The coruse is accessible to all students.

The technical course review ensures that online courses adhere to standards set forth by SACS and THECB and ensures that our online students have a course experience that is at least as good as our campus-based courses. The peer course review is not an assessment of the instructor but rather a review of the technical aspects of online courses.

The Review Process

The process includes the following steps:

  1. The instructor make a backup of the course being reviewed using the WebCT Backup feature;
  2. The backed up course is then downloaded and sent to the director of E-Learning at the Distance Learning Department;
  3. The course is restored into a blank shell and without students;
  4. Each member of the Peer Course Review team is added to the course as a Designer;
  5. The Peer Course Review team reviews the course using the Peer Course Review Rubric, noting any comments on the rubric form;
  6. Rubric findings are compiled by the director of E-Learning and sent to the instructor/designer of the course under review;
  7. Any critical concerns are discussed by the team and the instructor/designer to determine if follow-up action is required;
  8. Upon completion of the review, a followup memo is sent to the department chair and the course is queued for follow-up review every three years.

The Review Team

The review team is composed of online faculty that have experience in developing and teaching in the online course environment. All members of the review team have had at least one of their courses previously reviewed using the Peer Course Review Rubric. The instructor/designer of the course undergoing review plays a key role in the review process, answering questions and providing background on course construction and delivery.

The Review Form

The Peer Course Review Rubric form is a rubric based on the Quality Matters Project "...a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online courses and online components (Quality Matters Web site)."

The Peer Course Review Form was developed by the PT-ID team in 2006 and has been in use since spring 2007. By Spring 2008, 11 courses had undergone a technical review. During this time, the rubric underwent numerous revisions based on evaluation criteria and feedback from both course reviewers instructors/designers. The goal of the Distance Learning Department is to review all current online courses during full terms. Courses will then be re-evaluated every three years or after significant updating by the instructor/designer.

The form is divided into seven sections, with each section subdivided into several standards. Course reviewers evaluate each area of an online course using the standards provided in the rubric. Any critical concerns that are noted by any of the reviewers are discussed by the review team and the instructor/designer to determine methods for resolution.

Additional Information

For additional information on the Online Course Review Process please contact the director of E-Learning at:

Jeff Getchell
jgetchell@delmar.edu
361-698-1980 (campus x1980)