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Online Course Quality

Online Course Quality

Design online courses with students in mind. CGS Online Course Quality provides a shared foundation for developing, reviewing, and continuously improving the online learning experience.

What Does Quality Look Like Online?

Great online courses give students a clear path through the learning experience, meaningful opportunities to engage with course content, and the support they need to succeed. Our approach to online course quality focuses on three foundational areas.

01

Course Organization

Students should be able to understand how the course works, where to go, and what is expected of them.

  • Clear structure and navigation
  • Consistent course experience
  • Transparent expectations
02

Learning Experience

Course activities and assessments should give students meaningful opportunities to learn, practice, engage, and receive feedback.

  • Alignment between objectives, activities, and assessments
  • Opportunities for practice and feedback
  • Meaningful engagement strategies
03

Accessibility & Support

Students should be able to access course materials, understand how to use them, and find the resources and support they need.

  • Accessible learning materials
  • Inclusive course design practices
  • Clear student resources and support

CGS Online Course Quality Standards

These three areas are grounded in the CGS Online Course Quality Standards. The full standards provide more detailed guidance for course development, review, and continuous improvement.

The complete standards provide guidance across course organization, learning objectives, assessment and measurement, instructional resources, learner interaction, course technology, learner support, and accessibility.

View the Full Course Quality Standards

Review Your Online Course

Whether you are new to online teaching or have taught online for years, reviewing your course is an opportunity to identify what is working well and where you might make meaningful improvements. Use the CGS Online Course Quality Self-Assessment Tool to review your course against our standards.

Take the Self-Assessment