After your unit, workshop, or course content is developed, review the materials before permitting student access. Evaluate the material to ensure the content, opportunity for participation and feedback, and appropriate guidance is included. These guidelines, based on Dick and Carey's Instructional Systems Design, can be used.

1. Is there appropriate motivation established to insure student attention to the material and assignments?
2. Is the necessary content provided for all course components?
3. Is the presentation sequence of the content accurate and clearly indicated to guide students through the material?
4. Is all the required information available to the student in some format?
5. Do ample practice exercises exist for students to achieve appropriate rehearsal, processing, and knowledge acquisition of the content?
6. Are there adequate opportunities for instructor and classmate feedback included in the materials?
7. Are appropriate tests, activities, and evaluation tools provided to assess student progress?
8. Are sufficient follow-through activities provided to maintain learning and motivation over time?
9. Is the student presented with clear paths, navigational guidance, and transition information to direct them through the course material and components?
10. Are supplemental handouts, such as outlines or checklists available to the student to facilitate transfer of learning provided?

Answering "YES" to all these questions insures that students are presented with well-organized, instructionally sound, and engaging course material. However, since "courseware alone rarely constitutes the full learning environment," (Schneider, 1994), it is imperative to support students by creating a positive online educational experience.

This information was adapted from the Blackboard site for instructors.