Online Instruction Quality Policy

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Purpose

To ensure SIU’s online and hybrid offerings meet consistent, evidence-based quality standards that support student learning and comply with accreditation expectations.

Policy

  • SIU adopts the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Quality Scorecard as the institutional framework for quality in online and hybrid instruction.
  • Each academic year, SIU Online and Extended Campus, will publish 3–5 priority rubric areas ("annual focus areas") drawn from the OLC Scorecard and provide aligned training, exemplars, and templates. School directors should ensure online instructors evaluate and update course content related to these review areas.
  • All Schools offering online/hybrid courses must incorporate quality checks into their unit-level processes (e.g., course readiness, peer review, and annual faculty review).
  • Faculty teaching online/hybrid courses will complete (a) a short annual self-review against the published focus areas and submit as part of their annual review process and (b) a peer-review at least once every three years (or more frequently at a School’s discretion).
  • New-to-online instructors will complete CTE/SIU Online recommended onboarding prior to first online assignment (this may change year-to-year); course shells must meet baseline readiness (orientation, syllabus, communication plan, gradebook, assessments) before course launch.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • School Directors: Integrate quality checks into scheduling and annual evaluations; designate peer reviewers; verify courses meet baseline readiness prior to launch.
  • Instructors: Complete required training and self-review; participate in peer reviews; implement improvements from feedback.
  • SIU Online & Extended Campus (with CTE): Publish annual focus areas, deliver training, maintain templates/exemplars, support peer-review processes, and coordinate improvement projects.
  • Office of the Provost: Provide oversight, ensure alignment with HLC expectations, and receive annual quality summary from SIU Online & Extended Campus.

Review Cycle

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Saluki Online Council; updates may be issued to maintain alignment with accreditation and regulatory expectations.