Learning objectives are the heart of the Quality Matters Rubric, establishing a foundation upon which the rest of hybrid or online course is based. Everything in a hybrid or online course -- from the module objectives to instructional materials and activities, and even the technologies and tools -- must consistently support the course learning objectives.

General Standard 2 for Learning Objectives looks for measurable learning objectives at the course and unit level, which will help your students know what they will need to do to successfully complete the course. A unit can be defined in multiple ways such as a week or module, and these are typically described in specific, observable terms and in smaller, discrete pieces. For example, here is a course objective for a freshman writing course with three unit-level objectives:

Course Objective:

Upon completion of this course, learners will demonstrate mastery of rules of punctuation.

Unit-Level Objectives:

1. Learners will write sentences that demonstrate correct use of commas, semicolons, and periods.

2. Learners will use apostrophes when, and only when, needed.

3. Learners will use double and single quotation marks correctly in quoted material.

Learning objectives should be appropriate for the course level, written with the student in mind, and consistently linked to course activities. Bloom’s Taxonomy is very helpful to ensure appropriate learning objectives, and many instructors use a numbering system to show how the learning objectives align to course activities.

All five elements in this standard are essential and other QM standards evaluate the success of course and unit-level learning objectives. Alignment, therefore, is critical to support General Standard 2. Alignment emphasizes the idea that certain critical course components (course materials, assessments, learning activities, and tools) will work together to ensure that students achieve the desired learning outcomes for your course.

Do your students know what to do and where to start in your hybrid or online course? Imagine what it would be like to be a new student to the course, the major, the campus, or the LMS. Think about your course and ask yourself these questions:

1. Do you know what to do first?

2. Do you know how to start the course?

3. Can you easily find clear instructions?

4. Do you feel comfortable with your navigation?

5. What are your first impressions about how this course works?

General Standard 1 of the Quality Matters Rubric addresses the course overview and introduction. Divided into eight specific standards, this General Standard focuses on the course basics such as providing students with clear information about how to find various course components and introducing them to the purpose and structure of the course. A course may be very customized to fit the curriculum and design preferences of the instructor and/or department, but what’s obvious to one person might not be so clear to another. Providing a central content area such as Start Here with a welcome message helps guide students to important information. A course tour video using screencasting is an excellent way to tell students about the course and show them where certain important elements, such as assignments and grades, reside.

Course introduction courtesy of Liz Stanwyck & STAT 351

The Start Here content area can do quite a lot! It’s a great place to hold the syllabus (or place a course link back to the syllabus), describe pre-requisite requirements for the course, and provide institutional and course policies, which cover critical information about how you as the instructor handle academic integrity, student communication, late assignments, classroom confidentiality, incomplete grades, and more. Some instructors like to spell out all the policies affecting their courses while others will link to the institution’s student handbook.

We’ll also want to provide clear information about what technologies will be used in the course. Technologies will cover a lot -- hardware, software, plugins, subscriptions, campus licenses, special initiatives -- so it’s important to tell students how all of this fits into your course. For example, if you’re participating in the Course Materials Initiative, let students know how they will access the digital textbook and publisher content, especially if there’s a unique process for the latter. Likewise, students should know what technical skills they need to be successful. This may seem pretty basic, but in an online or hybrid course, students should know how to navigate Blackboard, access UMBC Box for cloud storage, and use basic productivity applications in Microsoft Office or Google Docs. Although many students are digital natives, we do serve non-traditional populations and returning students who may not be as comfortable with emerging technologies.

Quality Matters General Standard 1 also emphasizes introductions, both from the instructor and the students. In online courses, introductions help create a sense of connection between an instructor and the students. In hybrid courses, the introduction helps connect faculty to students who’ve missed the first day of class due to late registration or other reasons. An introduction would include the instructor's name, title, contact information, and a photo, but may also include comments on teaching philosophy, past experiences teaching alternate delivery formats, and personal information about hobbies or travel experiences. A video is a wonderful way to welcome students to class.

Likewise, students should have an opportunity to introduce themselves, which helps create a sense of community. Many instructors provide students with guided questions -- for example, what are their strategies for success and what do they hope to learn, or even fun icebreaker questions like favorite pizza toppings. In a few situations, when classes are too large, student introductions may not be possible. Virtual introductions for hybrid courses are useful reference points and help connect students. The UMBC course template includes a basic netiquette guide to define how students should communicate, but instructors should customize this statement according to the needs and format of the course.

Starting off on the right foot makes a world of difference in any academic setting, especially those in alternate delivery formats such as online or hybrid. Providing information and instructions to students before class begins puts them on the path to success.

For more information about Quality Matters and Instructional Technology at UMBC:

• Follow our Instructional Technology group page

• Visit our FAQ collection

• Open an RT ticket

• Request an appointment with an instructional technology specialist

Next month, we’ll look at General Standard 2: Learning Objectives.

UMBC Blackboard Update is provided by the Division of Information Technology for students, faculty and staff. If you have questions or need help, please consult the Blackboard Help tab inside Blackboard or directly at www.umbc.edu/blackboard/help.  You can also contact the Technology Support Center at 410.455.3838 or submit an RT (Request Tracker) ticket via the myUMBC Help Menu or directly at my.umbc.edu/help.

HEADLINES:

Blackboard & Instructional Technology

• Faculty Can Make Blackboard Courses Available in 2-Clicks

• Fall 2016 Blackboard Courses Created on 7/27/2016

• Archive of Old Blackboard Courses Complete

• Tip: Avoid Use of Force Complete on Blackboard Tests

• New Active Learning Spaces Created for Training & Instruction

• DoIT and VART Partner on Lynda.Com License

• DoIT Supports Video Captioning and Transcription

• Where & When to Get Clicker Support

• Test Scoring (Scantron) Relocated to TSC in Library

• Major Changes to Instructional Web Environment

Training & Professional Development

• Faculty Led IT Workshops Featured for Fall 2016

• Faculty Development Center Events for Fall 2016

• 9/29 USM Gamification Symposium

• 9/30 Provost’s Teaching & Learning Symposium

Other DoIT News

• New Process for Acknowledging Employee FERPA Obligations

• UMBC Network Enhancements Completed Over the Summer

• Changes to myUMBC Profile Now Live

• New Communications Tower Completed

As always, if you have any questions, please consider the following options:

• Check our extensive FAQ collection

• Open a ticket via RT

• Drop-in to one of our walk-in clinics

• Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

• Request a consult with a member of the instructional technology team