Organization

The WA Course Design Checklist is a Google doc organized by topic-based Section tables containing generalized Standards plus detailed Indicators for each Standard that are categorized as Essentials or Next Steps course design practices.

Section Tables

The WA Checklist V4 has five sections:

Section 1 - Sense of Belonging & Student Engagement
Section 2 - Outcomes & Objectives
Section 3 - Assessment & Feedback
Section 4 - Materials & Tools
Section 5 - Course Orientation & Structure

WA Course Design Checklist V4 with Section 1 - Course Design & Student Engagement title highlighted

Standards

Each Section table contains a set of numerically labeled Standards. For example, Section 1 contains a set of three Standards: 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3.

WA Checklist V4 with the "Standards" column header and "Standard 1.1 - Course design cultivates a sense of belonging." cell highlighted

Indicators

Each Standard is subdivided into a set of alphabetically labeled Indicators. For example, Standard 1.1 contains ten indicators, a - j. They can be specifically referred to by adding the Indicator letter after the Standard number to create an alphanumerical reference for each Indicator. For example, 1.1.a, 1.1.b, 1.1.c, 1.1.d, 1.1.e, 1.1.f, 1.1.g, 1.1.h, 1.1.i, and 1.1.j.

WA Checklist V4 Standard 1.1 with Indicators a-j highlighted

Indicator Categories

Each Indicator is further categorized as being one of the following types of course design practices: Essentials or Next Steps. For example, Indicator 1.1.a is an Essentials course design practice and 1.1.g is a Next Steps practice.

Essentials: 1.1.a, 1.1.b, 1.1.c, 1.1.d, 1.1.e, and 1.1.f
Next Steps: 1.1.g, 1.1.h, 1.1.i, and 1.1.j

WA Checklist V4 Standard 1.1 with Indicator Categories of Essentials and Next Steps highlighted

Applying all Essential Indicators for a Standard demonstrates that your course design includes basic foundational elements needed for students to succeed in your course. Applying all Essential Indicators for a Standard combined with one or more Next Steps Indicator demonstrates that your course design includes the basic foundational elements necessary for students to succeed plus additional elements designed to increase student success in your online course.