New resources are now available to support faculty in designing, developing, and delivering high-quality online courses. These new materials offer structured, practical guidance grounded in the High-Impact Design for Online Courses Framework (HIDOC) and reflect best practices in instructional design, student engagement, and technology integration.
The resources are organized into three core areas:
- Design: The Online Course Design Guide provides a structured approach to designing online courses that are aligned, intentional, and learner-centered. It focuses on five key elements: High-Impact Practices, Interaction, Design Thinking, Outcomes and Objectives, and Content Alignment. The HIDOC framework helps faculty build courses that are clear, organized, and rooted in evidence-based strategies to support student learning.
- Development: The Online Course Development Guide offers step-by-step support for building courses in Blackboard. It includes guidance on structuring content, embedding video lectures with Panopto, integrating Zoom for real-time interaction, and applying accessibility standards using tools like Blackboard Ally. Instructors will also find tips for creating consistent navigation and visual design that support student success.
- Delivery: The Online Course Delivery Guide focuses on sustaining an effective teaching presence, building community, and supporting learners throughout the semester. Strategies include fostering regular communication, using timely feedback to guide learning, and aligning course interactions with student needs and expectations. This guide also includes feedback techniques and examples of engagement practices.
Together, these resources form a cohesive pathway for instructors seeking to enhance their online teaching. Whether adapting a face-to-face course or starting from scratch, faculty can use these tools to ensure their courses are organized, interactive, and aligned with Quality Standards for Online Courses.
All three resources are available in the Online Teaching Faculty Toolbox, the central resource hub for distributed learning at USC. Instructors can use the guides to strengthen online course quality and request instructional consultations to support course preparation for upcoming semesters.