Excellence in Online Teaching Rubric

The following rubric is used for evaluating nominations for the Excellence in Online Teaching Award and determining "Accomplished" level of excellence for the Certificate of Excellence in Online Teaching.

Criteria Missing (0) Developing (1) Accomplished (2) Exemplary (3)
Quality Online Learning Environment (Course Construction) No evidence describing efforts to ensure the quality of the design of students' online learning environment. Evidence of some effort to ensure quality of the design of students' online learning environment, with at least one online course reviewed for quality through the Online Course Essentials program. Evidence of substantial effort to ensure quality of the design of students' online learning environment, with at least one online course reviewed for quality and recognized through the Online Course Essentials and/or Exemplary Course Program. Evidence of exemplary effort to ensure quality of the design of students' online learning environment, with two or more online courses reviewed for quality and recognized through the Online Course Essentials and/or Exemplary Course Program.
Effective Online Learning Environment (Implementation) No evidence describing nominee's contributions and practices towards the effectiveness of the online learning environment. Some evidence that the nominee's contributions and practices have enhanced effectiveness of the online learning environment. Substantial evidence that the nominee's contributions and practices have enhanced effectiveness of the online learning environment. Clear and convincing evidence that the candidate's contributions and practices have significantly enhanced effectiveness of the online learning environment.
Innovative Design and Delivery No evidence describing course design and delivery. Some evidence of acceptable approaches to course design and delivery. Evidence that approaches to course design and delivery are effective and reflect best practices, and include at least one element demonstrating the skillful application of leading-edge approaches, tools, or technologies.  Evidence that approaches to course design and delivery are effective, reflect best practices, and include at least two or more elements demonstrating the skillful application of leading-edge approaches, tools, and technologies.
Impact on Involvement with Online Students No evidence describing impact on student involvement. Evidence of acceptable or typical impact on involvement with online students. Evidence of substantial impact on involvement with online students and include at least one characteristic of regular and substantive interaction. Evidence of exceptional direct and significant impact on involvement with online students and include at least two or more characteristics of regular and substantive interaction.
Enhancing Online Teaching Skills and/or Research in Online Education No evidence describing dedication to enhanced teaching skills, improving online curriculum and/or enhancing research opportunities in the area of online education. Evidence of typical or required efforts to enhance online teaching skills, improving online curriculum, or advancing research opportunities in the area of online education. Evidence of only one of these three elements. Evidence of substantial efforts in at least two of: dedication to enhanced teaching skills, improving online curriculum, advancing research opportunities in the area of online education. Evidence of exceptional effort in at least two of: dedication to enhanced teaching skills, improving online curriculum, advancing research opportunities in the area of online education.
Rigor, Currency of Content, and Student Performance No evidence describing the standards for rigor and currency of course content. Evidence of acceptable standards for rigor and currency of course content, and/or level of student performance. Missing evidence of one or more of these elements. Evidence of high standards for the rigor and currency of course content and the level of student performance Evidence of very high standards for the rigor and currency of course content and the level of student performance.

Excellence in Online Teaching Award

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Center for Innovative
Teaching and Learning

Phone: 815-753-0595
Email: citl@niu.edu

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