ATLAS applies the policies outlined in this section on a case-by-case basis while being sensitive to pedagogical needs determined by the instructor.

A set of online courses were offered as part of the LAS Online Program but were later removed from the per-IU revenue-sharing model because of changes made to them by the instructors. This experience has brought to light the need to articulate college policies and standards for LAS Online-certified courses.

In order to be certified, a course is expected to comply with the following:

  1. ADA Law (accessibility)
  2. Copyright Law
  3. FERPA Law
  4. Identity Verification Policy

ADA and copyright compliance will be checked by CITL; for FERPA compliance of required resources, ATLAS will work with the appropriate campus units; and ATLAS will oversee the verification of student identity.

Person using computer

As before, departments will fill out a form reporting what courses will be offered in the summer and winter terms. Once an instructor has been designated on this form, they will receive a notification asking them to report any changes they plan to make to the course website and teaching materials. The intention is not to review courses every time a certification request is submitted, but there are three scenarios that could cause a course to be reviewed:

  1. Changes to the course that impact legal requirements. If the instructor plans to make significant changes to the course—such as the adoption of a new textbook or extensive revision of content—then the proposed course changes will be reviewed for compliance with the following legal and college-mandated requirements:
    • ADA (accessibility)
    • Copyright
    • FERPA for third-party publisher and technology tools
  2. Non-compliance with the LAS Online Identity Verification Policy. The Identity Verification Policy was reviewed and approved by the LAS Courses and Curricula Committee on April 8, 2016, for new or newly updated LAS Online courses.
    At a minimum, 20% of the course grade must consist of work accomplished by the student when their identity is verified and there is a high reliability they are using only the aids intended (e.g., proctored exams and identity-checked discussions). ATLAS is happy to assist instructors in finding ways to comply with this policy while being sensitive to pedagogical needs determined by the instructor.
     
  3. Course age. If three years have elapsed since an online course was developed or since it underwent a substantial revision, the course may be reviewed to ensure it still meets legal and college requirements as stated in items 1 and 2 above.

Please review the CITL Online Course Quality Review Standards that LAS Online-certified courses are expected to meet. This document outlines the required and recommended compliance items.