E-Learning Standards for Online Classes
Instructions
1. If you choose to independently create and/or submit an on-line learning course, please review the following standards. You may also contact us for a list of contractors who may help you in developing your e-course.
2. Prior to developing your course, you should submit an instructional design document outlining your course.
3. A learning specialist will review your design document and contact you.
I. Standards for all Online courses
- Identifies need for on-line training
- Identifies clear objectives in line with UCSF goals
- Uses sound instructional design, mindful of learner engagement and course length
- Employs effective media design throughout course navigation and visual presentation
- Allows for Re-usability, Maintenance, and Accessibility
- Maintain responsibility for your course
- Examples of exemplary on-line courses
II. Explanation of Standards
Identifies need for on-line training
A needs analysis is completed by comparing job needs to the current skills possessed by the employee(s). The gap between current and desired behavior is the need that will be addressed through on-line training.
To learn more about identifying learner needs download:INSTRUCTIONAL_DESIGN_STANDARDS.doc
Identifies clear objectives in line with training goals
Classes will consist of clear goals and instructional objectives that aim to meet improve learner performance. Instructional objectives should explain how will this class improve learner performance and to what degree? They will clearly define the audience, desired learner behavior, conditions in which performance will be measured and degree by which success will be judged.
To learn more about drafting instructional objectives download:INSTRUCTIONAL_DESIGN_STANDARDS.doc
Uses sound instructional design, mindful of learner engagement and course lengthSound design
Classes will include logical presentation of material including:
instructor guidance, demonstrations, feedback, knowledge checks, and opportunities for learner practice.
Examples include Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction:
Gain attention
Inform learner of objectives
Stimulate recall of prior learning
Present stimulus material
Provide learner guidance
Elicit performance
Provide feedback
Assess performance
Enhance retention and transfer
Engagement
Classes will include elements that engage the on-line learner through interaction. Examples include: allowing the leaner to make choices, use of scenarios, videos, audio, animation, quizzes, etc..
Length
Classes will take large complex topics and present them in manageable chunks or modules. By rule, no one class module should take more than 45 minutes to complete. It is advised that learners spend no more than 2 minutes on each screen.
Employ effective media design throughout course navigation and visual presentationCourse Navigation
Classes will provide consistent, simple, intuitive navigation throughout, giving learner control of course direction when possible.
Navigation should allow the learners to know where they are in the course, where they are going and where they have visited previously. Navigation buttons should remain consistent on all pages. Outside links should state where the learner will be taken outside the course.
The learner should be able to leave the course and resume it at a later time, without having to start over.
Visual Design
Clean Look and Feel: Use sound design principles of contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. Classes will avoid crowded screens, lengthy text, long sentences, overuse of capitalization, underlined words and external links.
BrandingUse of colors, logos, fonts, consistent with other UCSF material.Click here for UCSF public affairs web-based guidelines and materials.
Allows for Re-usability, Maintenance, and Accessibility
Maintenance
The class will allow for relative ease of maintenance and editing, using SCORM/AICC compliant rapid e-learning tools. Current accepted tools are Articulate, Captivate, Lectora, Adobe Authorware,
Usability
The class will have successfully undergone several rounds of user testing that evaluate the usability of the content and system from the perspectives of different types of LMS users including the LMS administrators.
Accessibility Example from Penn State University
Maintain responsibility for your course
You are responsible for updating any eLearning courses you have created or had created which reside in the Learning Center. The Campus HR Learning & Development team will gladly assist in uploading/deleting any of your courses, but we do not update eLearning courses created by others.
Examples of exemplary UCSF on-line courses on the UC Learning Center: log in with your ID and the course will appear.
FAS Stewardship
Wayfinder Course
Dealing with Angry People -