Service Description
Instructional Design and Distance Learning is prioritizing course design reviews for courses and programs nominated for SUNY Online Plus Programs and SUNY Online Signature Programs. Course should be fully developed in a Brightspace development shell before participating in the Course Design Review process. It is our policy to only complete the course design review process in a development shell. If needed, you can request a Brightspace development shell.
To ensure completion of the course design review process, course design review requests should be completed according to the following schedule. This schedule was developed using dates from the Academic Calendar.
| Semester to be Taught |
Submit Request By |
Complete Self-Review By |
Complete Course Design Review By
(Banner Preview) |
| Summer 2024 |
November 1, 2023 |
December 1, 2023 |
March 6, 2024 |
| Fall 2024 |
November 1, 2023 |
December 1, 2023 |
March 6, 2024 |
| J-Term/Spring 2025 |
June 1, 2024 |
July 1, 2024 |
October 7, 2024 |
| Summer 2025 |
November 1, 2024 |
December 1, 2024 |
March 3, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 |
November 1, 2024 |
December 1, 2024 |
March 3, 2025 |
Assistance with reviewing and refreshing online and hybrid course design. Traditional (in-person) courses can also be reviewed (some OSCQR standards may not apply). Instructors should begin the course design review process at least 4 months before the course is scheduled in Banner. Requests will be cancelled after 1 month if no action is taken or if there is no response from the requestor.
The course design review process uses Buffalo State's customized version of the Open SUNY Course Quality Review (OSCQR) tool. This version of the OSCQR tool was developed with feedback from faculty representatives from each of Buffalo State's colleges to reflect the needs of Buffalo State faculty, students, and courses.
Once a review has been requested, instructors will receive a link to their OSCQR tool. Once the self-review has been completed, an optional peer-review can begin (if requested), and IDDL will then assign an instructional designer to complete the ID portion of the review. Once the instructional designer review begins, feedback will be provided to faculty within 4 weeks. IDDL reserves the right to modify the timeline based on number of requests that are currently in progress.
Standard Features
- Course Design Review – For online and hybrid courses
- Faculty may request a development shell in Brightspace for review and refresh.
- Copy of Buffalo State's OSCQR tool via OneDrive
- Individualized support from an instructional designer
- Course Design Review Process:
- Gain departmental approval.
- Submit your course for a Course Design Review at least 4 months before the course is scheduled in Banner.
- Meet with an Instructional Designer to discuss course and review process.
- Complete initial Course Design Reviews using the OSCQR tool, including a self-review, peer-review (if requested) , and Instructional Designer review.
- Meet with Instructional Designer to discuss completed Course Design Reviews and identify areas of improvement.
- Update course as needed based on reviews and OSCQR standards to ensure standards are present in course design. This revision period may include several cycles of updating the course design, checking these updates based on the OSCQR standards, providing updated recommendations, meeting to discuss course design, and implementing updates to course design.
- Meet with Instructional Designer for final review. The Course Design Review (OSCQR) process is complete when all OSCQR standards are marked as "sufficiently present".
- The instructional designer provides feedback from review to the instructor, department chair, and/or associate dean.
Optional Features
- Participation in Online Course Development training or other related workshops
Roles and Responsibilities
Instructional Design and Distance Learning
- Copy prior semester content into development course shell, if requested
- Create and share Open SUNY Course Quality Review tool with instructor (via OneDrive)
- Complete course design review and provide feedback to instructor
- Ongoing consultations and meetings with instructor to complete course design review process
- If department/school policy is in place, communicate with instructor's department chair and/or associate dean about review process
Faculty
- Request a development course shell in Brightspace for course design review
- Develop course to be reviewed in a development shell within learning management system
- Update the development course with dates, assignments, etc. for the semester in which the course will be taught
- Complete self-review of course and fill out OSCQR tool (via OneDrive)
- Optionally, faculty can request a peer review in addition to an instructional designer review
- Once the self review is complete, the instructor will update the ticket to inform IDDL it has been completed.
- Participate in consultations and meetings with instructional designer
- Implement instructional strategies and best practices into course design and facilitation based on review and OSCQR standards
How to Request:
Click the Open a Ticket button and complete the request form.
Service Audience:
Faculty and staff
Service Level Agreement
Response and resolution times are based on operational hours (Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM).
Instructors must begin the course design review process at least 4 months before the course is scheduled in Banner.
Once review has been requested, requestor will receive the OSCQR tool to complete a self review. Once self review has been completed, IDDL will then assign an instructional designer to complete the ID portion of the review. Feedback will be provided to faculty within 4 weeks after the instructional designer review begins. IDDL reserves the right to modify the timeline based on number of requests that are currently in progress.
Institutional Policies