NC Checklist for Course Sites
Why should I use this checklist?
Students engage most effectively with digital resources and online learning experiences that are consistent, accessible, and clearly connected to course outcomes. This tool will help you to reflect on your current teaching practices and identify concrete opportunities for improvement.
You can use the checklist to guide the design of new courses and/or revise existing ones.
Who should use this checklist?
Anyone teaching a course at NC!
Technology has become an essential feature of almost any course, whether face-to-face, hybrid or fully online. So, it is important to consider the ways in which technologies, like Brightspace, are structured and applied in support of learning. Even if your primary focus is in-class teaching, it is likely that you are using digital tools to communicate with your students (i.e., sending announcements), share essential information (i.e., post lecture slides or assignment descriptions), and provide grades and feedback.
How was the NC Checklist for Course Sites developed?
This checklist is based on the Quality Matters (QM) Higher Education Rubric, an internationally-recognized framework for high-quality digital learning. In the development of the NC Checklist, we have maintained the Quality Matters General Standards and have modified the language of specific criteria to better align with the experiences of Niagara College educators. The checklist was piloted by a group of NC faculty during the spring and summer of 2021 and revised based on their feedback.
Niagara College staff and faculty do have access to the full Quality Matters (QM) rubric and other resources through our affiliation with OntarioLearn. For more information on how to activate your QM account, contact [email protected].
Download the NC Checklist for Course Sites
We have developed three versions of this checklist. They are identical in terms of their content, but vary in terms of their structure and file format. Choose the one that best suits your personal needs and preferences. All versions meet minimum accessibility requirements. We welcome input from you on the usability of any and all checklist versions. Email [email protected] with your feedback.
Word Document with Tables
Download Checklist: Word Document with TablesWord Document without Tables
Download Checklist: Word Document Without TablesExcel Document
Download Checklist: Excel DocumentHow is the Checklist organized?
The NC Checklist for Course Sites is comprised of seven sections. Each section contains a set of standard questions to assess your course site(s) and digital learning materials. The seven sections are as follows:
- Course Overview and Introduction
- Learning Objectives
- Assessment and Measurement
- Instructional Materials
- Course Activities and Learner Interaction
- Course Technology
- Accessibility and Usability
How do I use the checklist?
Visit the Using the Checklist for more information.
Where can I find further resources?
The Resource Library allows you to read and learn about the topics and items included in the checklist and offers resources that will support you in identifying and implementing changes to improve your course.