Standard 1
Prior to Registration
Prior to registration, students have the information they need to make informed decisions about the course.
Checklist Items
Make sure the following information is available to students prior to registration, in Banner Course Notes, the GSU website, and/or another location.
1A – Course modality (online, hybrid, face-to-face)
1B – Synchronous or in-person attendance requirements (class meetings, proctored exams, etc.)
1C – Additional course-specific costs (texts, learning platforms and technologies, proctoring, etc.)
1D – Prerequisites
1E – Course-specific technologies and required digital literacy skills, as well as related support resources
1F – Connection to academic pathway or degree requirements
1G – Contact information for the program or department
Recommendations
R-1.1
Work with your department to create and maintain a repository of up-to-date syllabi that is accessible to students.
R-1.2
Work with your department to ensure that Banner course notes state the course modality, provide specifics about any in-person meetings or proctored exams, note that course content is delivered via iCollege, provide instructions on how to access iCollege and iCollege FAQs, list any course-specific fees, and link to other relevant information, including online-student orientations.
Resources
Want to take a deeper dive into why we think these recommendations will help your course design, check out the following examples from our blog, as well as resources from around the web and around GSU.
OSCQR 7
“Course information states whether the course is fully online, blended, or web-enhanced.”
OSCQR 10
“Course provides contact information for instructor, department, and program.”
OSCQR 11
“Requisite skills for using technology tools (websites, software, and hardware) are clearly stated and supported with resources.”
Quality Matters 1.5
“Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.”
Quality Matters 1.6
“Computer skills and digital information literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.”
Quality Matters 1.7
“Expectations for prerequisite knowledge in the discipline and/or any required competencies are clearly stated”
GSU - Constructing a Syllabus
GSU-specific information on constructing a syllabus
GSU Website Management
Information on managing a GSU website
GSU Technology Help
Immediate help for all of your technology needs
LinkedIn Learning
Courses for general technology training
Research
Creating social presence in online environments
Recent literature has shown that social presence is one of the most significant factors in improving instructional effectiveness and building a sense of community. This chapter examines strategies for creating social presence within online environments.
Creating an Effective Online Instructor Presence
It is important for online instructors to actively and visibly engage with students in the teaching and learning process— perhaps with even greater intentionality than in faceto-face courses.