Characteristics of Effective Web Courses
1) Pedagogically sound
	Material is relevant	Explain the relevance of the material so students do not doubt that they are spending their time usefully.
	Objectives are explicit	Make sure that the objectives of the course (and the web pages) are clear for the students
	Assignments relate directly to objectives	The students need to see that the work they do achieves the objectives of the course. Students should not think that assignments are merely busywork.
2) Simple organization of each web page
	Essential information presented concisely (e.g., in an outline)	It is much easier to read text on hard copy than on a computer screen, so keep text on the screen to concise kernels of information.
	Link to internet resources	Provide links to resources that are known to be available on the internet and that complement the material presented on your web pages.
	Refer to extensive text available in hard copy	Refer students to books, articles that may be in a course pack of readings, on reserve in the library, may be checked out of a library, or purchased.
	Dimension lends complexity	Depth provided by links, color, and graphics. Complexity of the subject is reflected by the links among the pages while each page itself is simple and direct
	Attractive impression	Reader (student) enjoys working on the web pages. The use of color complements and enhances the presentation. Pages are organized to be aesthetically pleasing.
3) Effective layout reinforces the message
	Main elements come first	Draw attention to the main points of the subject without additional elements that could distract from this focus.
	Outline form	Emphasize the importance of the informational points and the relationship among them.
	Graphics	Graphics should exemplify and complement the information on the web page.
4) Assessment
	Incorporate assessment	Performance of the students on assignments and tests will provide the information that can assess the success of the course and the program to which the course belongs.
5) Presentation strategy
	Small pieces	Students remain engaged in subject by working on many small pieces spread out through the semester.
	Frequent assignments	With some assignment due every week, there is a high probability that the person doing the work is the person signed up for the course.
6) Evaluation strategy
	Students learn by doing	Give students many assignments so that they learn by reading, analyzing, and writing about the subject.
	Assignments are short	Assignments are focused on specific information and concepts, so students learn to identify the main point.
	Use a rubric	Short assignments readily lend themselves to grading with a rubric.
	Few test questions	Tests are worth relatively little, so cheating is not probable.
	Test questions involve decisions	Use the test to encourage the students to re-read and re-examine the material to discriminate among alternatives.
7) Communication
	Student progress/status	Easy for the student to check on status and progress in the class through a web interface.
	Reach the instructor	Response of instructor in less than 24 hours, but in less than 3 hours between 8 AM - 5 PM
8) Examples
	Good Design	Incorporates the characteristics of a page in an effective web course: relevant, concise, depth, dimension, links.
	Poor Design	Little more than lecture notes on the internet.
William S. Gaud 12/12/2001