DIYversity Course Checklist
DIYversity wants you to have the best online course so we created a checklist that will guide you along the way. For this reason we provide you with this detailed Course Checklist to guild you through building your course and provide the best user experience for your students.Not only will these guidelines help you create an amazing online course, but they provide you with the exact standards needed to be met in order to be a part of the DIYversity marketplace. Every course published on DIYversity is reviewed and approved based on these standards. So, read through the items below and become familiar with our product requirements and best practices / standards for online teaching and learning at DIYversity. (Note: any content deemed inappropriate will be removed from DIYversity and any course that doesn’t meet our recommended quality standards may not get listed in the DIYversity marketplace.)
The Course Checklist Items below correspond to the sections found on the course management page or Profile.
| BASICS | |||||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT | BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES |
NO |
| 1a | Title | Max. 60 characters. | · Title is concise, reads well, and accurately represents the course. | YES | NO |
| 1b | · Title does not use any excessive capitalization or special characters (e.g. !, /, *, $, #). |
YES | NO | ||
| 1c | · Title sets a reasonable expectation for the course. | YES | NO | ||
| 2a | Subtitle | Max. 120 characters. | · Subtitle reinforces the title with more detail and is not redundant. | YES | NO |
| 2b | · Subtitle describes a course so students know what will be learned. | YES | NO | ||
| 3 | Keywords | At least 1 keyword. | · Keywords match the topics covered in the course. | YES | NO |
| 4 | Category | A category is selected. | · Category is appropriate for the course topic. | YES | NO |
| 5 | Locale/ Language | A locale/ language is selected. | · Locale / language matches the main language used to teach the course. | YES | NO |
| DETAILS | YES | NO | |||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT |
BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES | NO |
| 6 | Course Summary | At least 50 words. | · Summary gives a detailed course overview, including but not limited to: 1) what the course is about / key learning objectives, 2) how the course is taught, 3) how a student will learn, 4) description of course materials, 5) length of time it will take to complete the course, 6) explanation of why someone would benefit from the course, and 7) clarifies the level of instructor involvement/availability. | YES | NO |
| 7a | Course Goal and Objectives |
At least 1 line item. | · Course goal explains, “By the end of the course, you will be able to do X.” | YES | NO |
| 7b | · Course objectives explain, “In this course, you will learn X, Y, Z.” | YES | NO | ||
| 8 | Intended Audience |
At least 1 line item. | · Audience defines who the course is for based on level of knowledge, experience or ability. | YES | NO |
| 9a | Course Requirements | At least 1 line item. | · Requirements include necessary materials to complete the course (i.e. software, specific versions of applications, equipment). | YES | NO |
| 9b | · Lists any prerequisite knowledge. | YES | NO | ||
| 10 | Instructional Level | A level is selected. | · Level accurately specifies whether the course is introductory, intermediate, or advanced, or covers all levels of instruction. | YES | NO |
| IMAGE | YES | NO | |||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT |
BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES | NO |
| 11a | Course Image | File type is .jpg, .gif, or .png. | · Course Image is clear, non-pixelated, and appropriate. | YES | NO |
| 11b | · Image is 16:9 ratio (widescreen) with dimensions of Min. 480×270 to Rec. 960×540. | YES | NO | ||
| 11c | · Course Image does not include: any kind of banner, label such as “free” or “discounted,” social media handle, URL, product image (real or otherwise), currency, or action icon like a play button. | YES | NO | ||
| 11d | · Course Image meets DIYversity’s design standards. NOTE: DIYversity reserves the right to improve or create a custom image for any course. | YES | NO | ||
| PRIVACY | YES | NO | |||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT | BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES | NO |
| 12 | Privacy | Public or Private is selected. | · Public or Private is appropriately selected. Public courses are available for anyone to take on DIYversity. Private courses are for exclusive or select group of students. | YES | NO |
| PRICE & PROMOTION | YES | NO | |||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT | BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES | NO |
| 13 | Price (Paid course only) | Price is set. | · Course is priced appropriately for the course topic and instructor. NOTE: A typical course is priced between $19-$199. | YES | NO |
| CURRICULUM | YES | NO | |||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT | BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES | NO |
| 14a | Section | Minimum 1 Section. | · Course is organized into logical sections. | YES | NO |
| 14b | · In each section, lectures are sequential, logical, and consistent. | YES | NO | ||
| 15 | Section Title | Max. 80 characters. | · Title is short and details what is covered in the section. | YES | NO |
| 16 | Lecture Title | Max. 80 characters. | · Title is short and details what is covered in the lecture. | YES | NO |
| 17 | Lecture Description |
Max. 2000 characters. | · Describes and reinforces the key learning points covered in the lecture. | YES | NO |
| 18a | Lectures Completed |
Minimum 5 lectures complete with title, description, and content asset. | · Course has a minimum of 5 complete lectures with title, description, and asset. | YES | NO |
| 18b | · A lecture has a beginning, middle, and end (i.e. We will discuss X, discuss X, then summarize X). | YES | NO | ||
| 18c | · A lecture is a standalone lesson to cover X,Y,Z objectives (unless clearly stated as Part 1, 2, or 3 of a whole.) | YES | NO | ||
| 18d | · Lectures are on average 2-15 minutes in length, or appropriately long based on the instructional content. | YES | NO | ||
| 18e | · Lectures are sequential, logical, and educative. | YES | NO | ||
| 18f | · Lectures include any necessary supplementary materials (readings, Zip files, resources) that reinforce learning. | YES | NO | ||
| 19a | Course Completed | (Course has all required elements.) | · Course has a minimum of 30 minutes of content. | YES | NO |
| 19b | · Course has a minimum of 60% “Video Lecture” content (includes screencast and Mashup). | YES | NO | ||
| 19c | · Course has a mix of different content types (Video, Audio, Presentation, Document, Text, Mashup) as appropriate to subject being taught. | YES | NO | ||
| 19d | · Course materials are clear, easy to follow, and of high quality. | YES | NO | ||
| 19e | · Course has a clear, organized structure that takes a student through sequential learning steps. | YES | NO | ||
| 19f | · Course must have at least 90% completed or published lectures. | YES | NO | ||
| 19g | · Course has an introductory and concluding Lecture. | YES | NO | ||
| 19h | · Course (paid course only) is not entirely composed of material that can be found elsewhere on the internet for free, unless owned by the instructor. | YES | NO | ||
| 19i | · Course is not comprised of repurposed material from another DIYversity course. | YES | NO | ||
| MY PROFILE | YES | NO | |||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT | BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES | NO |
| 20a | Profile Photo | File type is .jpg, .gif, or .png. | · Profile image is clear, not pixelated, and appropriate. | YES | NO |
| 20b | · Image dimensions are Min. 200×200 to Rec. 400×400. | YES | NO | ||
| 21 | Profile Bio | Max. 2000 characters. | · Bio explains instructor’s experience and expertise. | YES | NO |
| OVERALL | YES | NO | |||
| # | ITEM | PRODUCT REQUIREMENT | BEST PRACTICE / STANDARD | YES | NO |
| 22a | Video Quality | 1 GiB file size limit (Max. 3 GiB using DIYversity File Uploader); video format (.mp4, .mov, .flv) | · Video is clear, high definition, and non-pixelated. 720p or HD. | YES | NO |
| 22b | · Widescreen 16:9 ratio preferred but 4:3 accepted. | YES | NO | ||
| 22c | · Videos are uploaded directly to DIYversity for optimal platform functionality and performance. | YES | NO | ||
| 23a | Video Audio | N/A | · Video has high quality audio that is clear, audible, and intelligible. | YES | NO |
| 23b | · Audio matches video picture. | YES | NO | ||
| 24a | Video Lighting | N/A | · Lighting is adequate so all video objects can be clearly seen. | YES | NO |
| 24b | · Lighting enhances the main object of focus. | YES | NO | ||
| 25a | Video Objects | N/A | · All objects in video (including presentation slides) are framed appropriately, and are clear, identifiable, and legible. | YES | NO |
| 25b | · Any video object, such as a presentation slide deck or helpful graphic, is included as a lecture’s supplementary material. | YES | NO | ||
| 26a | Video Background | N/A | · Background in video is clean and applicable to the course. | YES | NO |
| 26b | · Background is not distracting. | YES | NO | ||
| 27 | Audio Lecture Quality | N/A | · Audio is clear, audible, and intelligible. | YES | NO |
| 28 | Presentation Lecture | N/A | · Slides are clear and legible. | YES | NO |
| 29 | Document Lecture | N/A | · Documents are clear and legible. | YES | NO |
| 30a | Text Lecture | N/A | · Text lectures are clear and legible. | YES | NO |
| 30b | · Text is a combination of text and visuals. | YES | NO | ||
| 31 | Visuals | N/A | · Visuals and graphics used in a course are relevant and provide further explanation to help learner interpret information (i.e. not simply decorative). | YES | NO |
| 32 | Lecture Thumbnails | N/A | · Lecture thumbnails are appropriate. | YES | NO |
| 33a | Instruction | N/A | · Instruction is clear, engaging, and easy to follow. | YES | NO |
| 33b | · Instruction includes examples to demonstrate concepts. | YES | NO | ||
| 33c | · Instruction not only delivers information but helps students apply their learning through actionable items. | YES | NO | ||
| 33d | · Instruction is authored and delivered by the instructor(s) of the course. NOTE: DIYversity reserves the right to remove any course that has misrepresented materials. | YES | NO | ||
| 33e | · Instruction is designed for online learning. | YES | NO | ||
| 33f | · Instruction is suited for the DIYversity platform. | YES | NO | ||
| 34a | Activities or Exercises | N/A | · Course includes activities or assessments to reinforce learning (e.g. questions, projects, exercises, “Quiz”). | YES | NO |
| 34b | · Activities are set in a real-world context to help learners transfer knowledge and apply learning. | YES | NO | ||
| 35a | Instructor Engagement | N/A | · Instructor is available and accessible, and states level of engagement so students know if the teacher is available for Questions, Messages, 1-on-1 guidance or feedback. |
YES | NO |
| 35b | · Instructor sets clear expectations to students regarding his/her participation time (i.e. responds daily, reviews Questions once a week, sends course Announcements monthly with course updates or content related-info). | YES | NO | ||
| 35c | · Instructor encourages peer-to-peer learning by prompting student introductions and discussion in the Questions area. | YES | NO | ||
| 35d | · Instructor uses Course Announcements and Messaging to engage with students or to promote DIYversity content. NOTE: DIYversity reserves the right to suspend any account for offensive or spammy use of communication tools. | YES | NO | ||
| 36 | Promo Video | N/A | · Promo Video introduces instructor, instructor’s qualifications, the goal the course, how the course will be taught, and who will benefit by taking the course. | YES | NO |
| 37a | Supplementary Materials | N/A | · Add useful supplementary material (i.e. presentation slides, readings, Zip file, resources) to a lecture. | YES | NO |
| 37b | · All supplementary materials should be clear and legible. | YES | NO | ||
| 38 | Accessibility | N/A | · Video, audio, and visuals provide equivalent text alternative. | YES | NO |
| 39 | Downloadable Files | N/A | · Give access to any course content for offline access. | YES | NO |
| 40 | “Free” Preview Lectures | N/A | · Paid course has “free” lectures to preview instruction found in course. | YES | NO |
