Foundational Course Design Review

At UNM Online, we are committed to providing exceptional online learning experiences for our students. The Foundational Course Design Review process ensures that our online courses meet the highest quality standards by ensuring the course meets the Foundational Elements of the Online Learning Excellence Framework. This framework and process will be used for all online reviews and stipends starting Spring 2025.

Interest Form Submissions

What is the Online Learning Excellence Framework?

The Online Learning Excellence Framework is a set of research-based guidelines  for designing and delivering high-quality online courses. It outlines the foundational elements required for an online course at UNM that contribute to an engaging and effective learning experience. 

The Foundational Elements of the framework focus on critical aspects such as: 

• Learning goals, alignment, and assessment: Ensuring that instructional materials, assessments, and learning activities are aligned with the course learning outcomes. 

• Learning activities and materials: Ensuring students have opportunities for practice and are provided with a variety of instructional materials to increase engagement and enhance learning. 

• Instructor presence and student support: Ensuring instructors provide timely and consistent communication throughout the course and verifying that students are provided with information about student support resources.  

• Course design: Ensuring the course is easy to use and accessible.  

Review Process

The Foundational Course Design Review is a collaborative process that involves the course instructor, an instructional designer from the Center for Teaching & Learning, and a course reviewer from UNM Online. Here's how it works: 

Getting Started

If you are an instructor interested in participating in the Foundational Course Design Review process: 

• Complete the Interest Form. 

• UNM Online will reach out to provide more information and guide you through the next steps.  

Please note that due to limited capacity, only a set number of courses will be approved for the review process each term. Priority will be given to the following courses:

• General Education courses that have not been previously reviewed by CTL or UNM Online.

• Courses part of an online degree program that have not been previously reviewed by CTL or UNM Online.  

• Redesigned courses that have not been reviewed in over five years. 

• Re-certifications of AOP or O+C courses.

Consultation with Instructional Designer

• You will schedule a consultation with an assigned instructional designer. During this consultation, the instructional designer will provide feedback and support to help you prepare for the review. 

• The instructional designer will also review the course to ensure that the alignment between instructional materials, assessments, and learning outcomes is clear and readily available to students. If any required changes are identified, the instructor must make those updates before proceeding to the next step. 

Foundational Course Design Review

Once the required changes for course alignment are completed: 

• The instructional designer submits the course to UNM Online for review.  

• The reviewer evaluates the course against the Foundational Elements of the Online Learning Excellence Framework and provides feedback on any additional required changes. 

Implementation of Required Changes

• You will work closely with the instructional designer to implement the required changes identified during the review process.

Certification and Stipend

Upon successful completion of the review process and implementation of all required changes, 

• You will receive a certification notice from UNM Online, indicating that your course has passed the Foundational Course Design Review.  

• You will also receive a stipend and recognition through various channels for your efforts to enhance the online learning experience for your students.  

If you are interested in participating in the Foundational Course Design Review you may submit your interest form here. For questions, contact UNM Online at unmonlineproposals@unm.edu.