Welcome to the NSU Online Quality Toolkit
Enhancing the quality of online education at NSU through a systematic, collaborative, and transparent Design review process.
The intention of the online course design quality review process is to facilitate a faculty-guided process for supporting quality online course design and teaching that advances the success of NSU students.
NOTE: The content of this webpage is based on Appendix B of the Online Educator Policy (Google Doc).
Overview of the Quality Design Review Process
The NSU Online Quality Design Review Process helps ensure our online and hybrid courses meet consistent, high-quality educational standards through systematic peer design review. Courses achieving certification reflect NSU’s commitment to excellence in online education.
Initiation
- Faculty course developer informs department chair of course readiness.
- Department chair submits the Online Course Quality Design Review Request Form.
- Academic Affairs collaborates with the department chair and faculty developer to determine ideal reviewer team.
Preparation & Prioritization
- Course design review requests are prioritized based on factors such as:
- Online degree programs.
- High-enrollment and critical prerequisite courses.
- Courses taught frequently by adjunct faculty.
- Courses identified for needed improvement or newly developed.
Peer Design Review Assignment
- Academic Affairs assigns trained faculty design reviewers.
- Lead Design Reviewer designated to oversee and facilitate communication.
- Design Reviewers gain student-level access to course development shells.
Pre-Review Activities
- Faculty course developer completes the Course Design Review Worksheet.
- Faculty course developer schedules pre-review meeting with reviewers to clarify expectations.
Conducting the Review
- Independent peer design review is conducted using standardized rubric.
- Design reviews submitted digitally via online review system.
Review Completion & Certification
- Academic Affairs compiles reports and makes certification determinations based on course meeting essential rubric criteria (average score ≥ 3/4).
- Courses meeting certification criteria receive official NSU Online Course Design Quality Designation.
Remediation & Re-Certification
- Courses not initially meeting standards receive clear feedback and structured guidance for improvement.
- Lead design reviewer and instructional designer (as needed) collaborates directly with faculty developer to ensure successful updates.
Course Designation Management
- Renewal reminders are sent annually for maintaining continuous course quality improvement.
Design Quality Review Request Form
Initiate your course quality review process promptly.
Discussion Guide for Pre-Review Meetings
Facilitates productive communication during the pre-review stage.
Course Design Quality Review Rubric
Clearly understand the review criteria and quality benchmarks utilized during peer evaluations.
Course Design Review Worksheet
Essential preparation for successful reviews; clarify and document your course design elements.
NSU Online Course Design Quality Reviewer Micro-Credential
The NSU Online Course Design Quality Reviewer Micro-Credential is a professional development experience designed to prepare NSU faculty to serve as peer reviewers in the online course design quality review process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- Who can initiate a quality review request?
- Department chairs officially submit requests based on faculty indication of readiness.
- What happens if my course doesn’t initially meet the criteria?
- You will receive structured feedback and collaborative support for required revisions, leading to successful certification.
- How often must courses be re-certified?
- Courses are re-certified on a 5-year cycle or when a substantive change occurs to the course; notifications are sent annually, one year before course designation expires.
- How can I become a peer reviewer?
- Faculty nominations by department chairs and deans are welcomed; approved nominees will undergo required reviewer training.
Have questions or need additional guidance?
Dr. Cari Keller | Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs
Email: kellerc@nsuok.edu
Phone: 918-444-2065