Course Quality Review

About the OLC Course Review Scorecard

Northern Illinois University is committed to ensuring that all online courses reflect high standards of quality and support student success. To provide a clear and research-based framework for online course design, NIU has adopted the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Course Review Scorecard.

The OLC Scorecard is a nationally recognized tool that offers a comprehensive set of criteria across multiple areas of effective online teaching and learning, including course design, learning objectives, assessment, technology use, accessibility, and student support. These standards reflect current best practices and provide faculty with guidance for creating engaging, inclusive, and high-quality online learning experiences.

Why the Transition from Quality Matters?

For more than a decade, NIU utilized the Quality Matters (QM) rubric to support online course development and review. The QM framework helped establish a strong foundation for quality assurance in online learning at NIU.

As the field of online learning has evolved, NIU is now transitioning to the OLC Scorecard to align with the broader set of standards and resources offered by the Online Learning Consortium. The OLC framework builds on the strengths of QM while providing additional flexibility, applicability across different instructional contexts, and expanded attention to teaching presence, engagement, and continuous improvement. NIU is able to customize the OLC Scorecard for our needs implement through the Quality Essentials Design Standards for NIU Online Courses.

This transition positions NIU to remain at the forefront of online teaching and learning while continuing to provide students with high-quality, learner-centered online courses.

Online Course Review Process

All new and substantially revised online courses at NIU will now be developed and reviewed using the OLC Scorecard. The review process includes:

• Self-review: Faculty can complete a self-assessment of their course using the OLC Scorecard to identify areas of strength and opportunities for enhancement.
• Peer review: Faculty may request a formal review by trained peers who provide constructive feedback based on the Scorecard standards.
• Collaboration with CITL: CITL staff are available to consult with faculty during course development and revision to ensure alignment with OLC standards.

Courses previously aligned with the QM rubric will continue to be supported, and faculty teaching those courses may elect to map or update their design to the OLC Scorecard standards when revising their courses.

Faculty Support and Resources

CITL offers a variety of resources and services to assist faculty in adopting and applying the OLC Scorecard, including:

• Workshops and training sessions on the OLC standards and best practices in online course design.
• Sample courses, templates, and checklists to streamline course development.
• Individual consultations to address specific questions or challenges.

Faculty are encouraged to take advantage of these supports when designing or updating their online courses. The OLC Scorecard not only provides a framework for quality but also fosters reflective practice and continuous improvement in teaching.

Commitment to Excellence in Online Learning

By adopting the OLC Course Review Scorecard, NIU reaffirms its commitment to delivering online courses that are rigorous, engaging, and supportive of student learning. The Scorecard provides faculty with a clear path for ensuring quality while offering the flexibility needed to adapt to different disciplines, teaching styles, and student needs. Learn more about NIU's implementation of the OLC Scorecard, the Quality Essentials Design Standards for NIU Online Courses.

Through this transition, NIU continues to strengthen its leadership in online education and uphold its mission of providing transformative learning experiences for all students.