Online Learning Quality Checklist

Purpose and scope

This checklist supports theological institutions, leaders, faculty and quality-assurance stakeholders to design, deliver and monitor online and blended programmes. It focuses on core areas of course design, student support, assessment integrity, governance and compliance with local law. Use it alongside ITAA Standards and recognised course-design frameworks.

Course design and learning outcomes

• Clear outcomes: Publish measurable learning outcomes for each unit and ensure assessments map directly to outcomes.
• Aligned materials: Provide learning materials, activities and assessments that visibly align to outcomes and stated credit/learning hours.
• Navigation & structure: Ensure the learning environment is easy to navigate, with a clear course map and weekly/module plan.
• Accessibility: Check materials for accessibility (alt text, transcripts, readable documents) and reasonable accommodation procedures.

Teaching, interaction and formation

• Regular interaction: Plan scheduled instructor–learner and learner–learner interaction (forums, synchronous sessions, feedback cycles).
• Spiritual formation: Embed supervised opportunities for prayer, ministry practice, reflection and mentorship where appropriate to programme aims.
• Staff capability: Ensure instructors have online teaching training and access to instructional design support.

Assessment and academic integrity

• Assessment validity: Use formative and summative tasks that are authentic, mapped to outcomes, and moderated for consistency.
• Integrity measures: Apply proportionate academic integrity controls (design-based integrity, e-proctoring policies where lawful, clear conduct rules).
• Feedback: Provide timely, constructive feedback and transparent grading rubrics.

Student support and information

• Pre-enrolment information: Publish accurate details about programme level, delivery mode, fees, registration requirements and awarding body.
• Orientation: Offer an online orientation that covers platform use, study expectations and academic support.
• Learner services: Provide access to pastoral care, academic advising, library/learning resources and technical help.

Governance, compliance and quality assurance

• Regulatory compliance: Ensure the institution holds any licences, registrations or approvals required by local law before recruiting students or issuing awards.
• QA systems: Maintain documented policies for admissions, assessment, awarding, appeals and continuous improvement.
• Data & records: Securely retain learner records, assessment evidence and award documentation for the period required by law and policy.

Technology, security and accessibility

• Platform reliability: Use a learning platform with clear uptime, backup and data-protection arrangements.
• Privacy & security: Comply with applicable data-protection laws and publish a privacy policy for learners.
• Inclusive design: Test content on common devices and for low-bandwidth access where possible.

Monitoring and continuous improvement

• Evaluation: Collect course-level data (completion, attainment, student feedback) and review annually.
• Peer review: Use external or inter-institutional peer review (for example, a recognised rubric) to validate course design and identify improvements.
• Reporting: Maintain records of QA reviews and actions taken and make summary information available to students and stakeholders.

Quick pre-launch checklist

1. Publish learning outcomes, syllabus and assessment schedule.
2. Confirm instructor preparation and instructional-design support.
3. Complete accessibility and privacy checks.
4. Run a learner orientation pilot and collect feedback.
5. Verify legal registration and any local licensing for distance delivery.