Course Design Review (OSCQR)

Before Requesting a Course Design Review

Brightspace training is required in order to participate in the course design review (OSCQR) process. Faculty can submit evidence of training by earning the SUNY DLE Certificate of Completion. To earn the SUNY DLE Brightspace Fundamentals Certificate, login to Brightspace, access the SUNY DLE Brightspace Fundamentals Asynchronous Modules listed under My Courses, and successfully complete all assessments.
 
Course should be fully developed in a Brightspace development shell before participating in the Course Design Review (OSCQR) 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. 

Service Description

Instructional Design and Distance Learning is currently prioritizing course design reviews for courses and programs that are being nominated for SUNY Online Plus Programs and SUNY Online Signature Programs.

To ensure completion of the course design review process (OSCQR), course design review requests should be completed according to the following schedule. This schedule was developed using dates from the Academic Calendar.

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) rubric. Faculty representatives from each of Buffalo State's colleges developed this version of the OSCQR rubric to reflect the needs of Buffalo State faculty, students, and courses.

Once a review has been requested, instructors will receive the OSCQR rubric and a development course space in the learning management system to complete a self review. Once the self review has been completed, 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
• New course shell in learning management system for review and refresh.
• Copy of Buffalo State's Open SUNY Course Quality Review (OSCQR) rubric
• Individualized support from an instructional designer
• Course Design Review Process:
  1. Gain departmental approval.
  2. Submit your course for a Course Design Review at least 4 months before the course is scheduled in Banner.
  3. Meet with an Instructional Designer to discuss course and review process.
  4. Complete initial Course Design Reviews using the OSCQR rubric, including a self-review, peer-review (if requested) , and Instructional Designer review.
  5. Meet with Instructional Designer to discuss completed Course Design Reviews and identify areas of improvement.
  6. Update course as needed based on reviews and OSCQR rubric standards to ensure standards are present in course design.
  7. Meet with Instructional Designer for final review.
  8. Instructional Designer provides feedback from review to the instructor and chair of the department.

Optional Features

• Participation in Online Course Development training or other related workshops

Roles and Responsibilities

Instructional Design and Distance Learning

• Create a course shell in learning management system for course design review
• Copy prior semester content into new course shell, if requested
• Create and share Open SUNY Course Quality Review rubric with instructor (via OneDrive)
• Complete course design review and providing feedback to instructor
• Ongoing consultations with instructor to complete course design review process
• If department/school policy is in place, communicate with instructor's supervisor about review process

Faculty

• Develop course to be reviewed within the course design review course shell in 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 rubric (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 with instructional designer
• Implement instructional strategies and best practices into course design and facilitation based on review

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 rubric 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

• DOPS IV:07:00 Distance Learning Policy
• DOPS IV:07:03 Instructional Modalities
• DOPS IV:07:04 Online and Hybrid Course Offering
• Admin Policy Library: Campus-Supported Learning Management System Policy
• School of Arts & Sciences - Initial Practices and Procedures Online Course Scheduling
• School of Education - Online and Hybrid Review Process
• School of the Professions - Online/Hybrid Course Offering Policy