Online Course Policy

Purpose

McNeese State University requires all faculty to complete appropriate training for the delivery of online instruction and administration of online courses.

Training Requirements

Prior to teaching their first online course, a faculty member must complete an approved training related to online instruction. Such trainings are offered through the Office of Electronic Learning, University professional development workshops, and other external training platforms approved by the provost and vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management.

All faculty, regardless of teaching modality, will have a minimum of 150 minutes of training on the University’s learning management system (LMS). McNeese will provide additional training if the LMS changes or is significantly updated.

Faculty who teach online courses must have a minimum of 450 minutes of training in online course delivery, pedagogy, assessment, and best practices prior to teaching. New hires (full-time faculty, visiting lecturers, and adjuncts) must complete this training by the end of the academic semester in which they were hired.

Faculty teaching online courses must complete 300 minutes of continuing education every two calendar years.

Documented evidence of appropriate training or experience must be provided for the personnel file maintained in the departmental office. It is the responsibility of the academic department to ensure faculty comply with the mandatory online course training requirements.

Additional Requirements for Online Course Syllabus

The online course syllabus must comply with the University Syllabus Policy. The following standard components for online courses (independent of course content) must be included in the course syllabus: 

• A detailed description of how to submit assignments;
• Technical support resources; instructors should reference http://www.mcneese.edu/elearning/moodle_quick_help_tips or helpdesk@mcneese.edu;
• Academic support resources contact and location information (e.g., Library, Write to Excellence Center, etc.);
• Student participation tools and expectations (e.g., online discussions and engagement requirements);
• Calendar of assignments and exams including due dates, times, and submission methods;
• Grading scale and grade components; and
• Instructions on how to complete Student Evaluations of Instruction (SEIs) as provided by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

Online Course Exams

Online courses requiring exams must adhere to the Exams or Student Learning Assessment Policy. 

When a proctored exam is required, faculty are encouraged to use web-based monitoring services to maintain exam integrity. Such monitoring services are likely fee-based, and the student is responsible for incurring any costs associated with the monitoring service; however, faculty must use discretion in determining whether online proctoring services are required and, if so, include this information in course syllabi as well as in the online schedule. Faculty must provide student support in arranging proctoring.

Communication

This policy is distributed via the University Policies webpage.