Use the Effective Instruction Field Guides below to refine how you plan, build, and teach your online course.
PLAN: Course Structure
Complete the design and build of your online course before the first day of the semester. This intentional approach to course organization is essential for supporting student learning in your online courses.
PLAN: Course Assessments
Set clear assessment requirements to guide students working asynchronously. Use grading feedback to support their growth and keep them moving forward.
BUILD: Course Accessibility
Design for accessibility and help every student succeed. Create visually clear and well-organized online courses that make learning more effective for all.
TEACH: Instructor Presence
Bring the energy and interaction of your classroom into your online course. Focus on timely communication, facilitation of discussions, and focused direct instruction.
TEACH: Student Engagement
Design a course that sparks student curiosity and motivates them to succeed. Bring online discussions and group work to life by connecting activities to students’ backgrounds and interests.
Student preferences support best practices!
A three-year study of online students at the University of Iowa highlights impactful teaching strategies that improve the quality of online instruction. Key insights from the study are integrated throughout the Effective Instruction Field Guides. Find student insights on course organization, assessment, instructor presence, and student engagement to help you plan, build, and teach your online course. For more, read the full report.
Have you reviewed your online course?
The Online Course Essentials checklist offers guidance to design a course aligned with Quality Matters (QM) Essential Standards, widely considered the gold standard for assessing quality instructional practice in online courses.