Guidance for Online Course Development

Program managers and instructional designers should be guided by the Adult Education Indicators of Quality Online Course Rubric (Rubric), the accompanying Worksheet of Attendance Hours (Worksheet), and the resources available through the VALRC. Courses may be developed on a variety of platforms or LMSs. Courses should include synchronous instruction and asynchronous activities such as the use of approved distance education curricula (find the current list at VALRC) and student activities such as discussion boards and projects. State priorities such as the alignment of instruction to the College and Career Readiness and English Language Proficiency Standards and the incorporation of workplace preparation activities must be evident in the online course content.

Each course proposal must include the course syllabus, the Rubric, and the Worksheet, all of which document a completed review by the program manager or their designee. These must be submitted to the VDOE adult education office at OAEL@doe.virginia.gov for approval. Course rubrics will be discussed with program managers before approval; allow for a four week review and discussion period.