The UVM Online Course Enhancement Framework (OCEF) is a practical checklist to help faculty create high-quality online learning experiences for students. Based on the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) Course Review Scorecard, the framework provides an evidence-based set of standards and best practices for online course design and teaching. Based on feedback from UVM online instructors, we've adapted the OLC framework to better align with UVM's online course quality goals.
How the OCEF Supports Your Online Teaching
Courses that are well-designed, inclusive, and instructionally sound create more equitable and engaging experiences for learners. The OCEF helps faculty self-assess their courses including opportunities to reflect on:
Learning objectives and course alignment
Assessments and feedback practices
Instructional materials and learning activities
Accessibility and inclusive design
Course organization and navigation
Communication and student engagement
The framework is applicable to developing a new online course, converting from in-person to online, or revising an existing online course.
Aligning with Federal Requirements for Online Teaching
Using the OCEF while you develop your course helps you meet federal requirements for online teaching, specifically The US Department of Education’s final rules on Distance Education and Innovation [PDF] (July 2021). These rules ensure that online instructors initiate contact with their students, actively teach students, and are present in the course for its entire duration, thus differentiating online courses from correspondent courses. Among other requirements, these final rules introduce the requirement for “Regular and Substantive Interaction” (RSI):
Regular means that activities take place on a “predictable and scheduled basis.” Frequent and consistent interactions with students should occur throughout the duration of the course, with prolonged gaps between instructor-student contact. Examples include hosting regular virtual office hours, providing timely feedback and grades, course announcements, and directly emailing individual students.
Substantive Interaction is engaging students in teaching, learning, and assessment, consistent with the content of the course. Essentially, this means good teaching! Creating a welcoming environment, designing assignments that are aligned to the course learning objectives, providing detailed feedback on student work, addressing student questions as they arise, and facilitating student discussion. Note that managerial course announcements, such as reminders about deadlines or grade postings, are not considered "substantive."
The Teaching Practices section of the OCEF contains detailed information and specific strategies to meet the RSI federal standard.
Getting Started with the OCEF
We encourage all faculty teaching online courses to use the OCEF as part of their course development and teaching practice. Complete a self-review when you are developing your course, use the ‘Teaching Practices” section during the term, and use the results to guide how you might want to teach your course in the future. Even small changes can make a meaningful difference in student engagement, learning, and success.
Begin your self-review today.
View the UVM Online Course Enhancement Framework
Use the OCEF alongside the Center for Teaching & Learnings short courses for online teaching to continuously strengthen the quality of your online courses. In addition, UVM’s membership to the Online Learning Consortium gives all UVM faculty and staff discounted access to their resources.