How Can I Use ReadyGO to Prepare Courses for Quality Reviews (QM, RSI, and OEI)?

ReadyGO can help institutions ensure online courses meet high-quality standards by tracking compliance, identifying gaps, and streamlining the review process.

Step 1: Create a Quality Review Team in ReadyGO

Assemble a ReadyGO Team responsible for ensuring compliance with QM, RSI, or OEI guidelines.

Suggested Team Members:

• Instructional Designers: Ensure course design aligns with best practices.
• Faculty Members: Provide subject-matter expertise and instructional strategies.
• Accreditation & Compliance Specialists: Ensure courses meet QM, RSI, and OEI standards.
• Accessibility Specialists: Ensure WCAG and inclusive design compliance.
• Faculty Mentors or Coaches: Support instructors in refining their courses.

Step 2: Organize Courses into ReadyGO Batches for Review

To manage the review process, first determine how to organize your ReadyGO Batches for this initiative:

• If only some courses need review, create a dedicated batch (e.g., “2025 Quality Review”) to track progress separately.
• If all courses will be reviewed, use your existing batch structure (by department, modality, term...) and apply the remaining steps as needed.

It's also possible that only some courses will need review, but they are already organized based on that need. In this case, there's no need to create an additional batch, but apply the remaining steps to those already existing batches as necessary. 

Step 3: Create a New ReadyGO Status

Establish a unique ReadyGO Status for tracking where each course stands in the review process.  Example status' include "Pending QM Review" or "Awaiting RSI Compliance Check".

Step 4: Build a Checklist for Quality Reviews

Guide your team with a focused ReadyGO Checklist to ensure all necessary elements are in place. Customize your checklist for the specific review at your institution. This list of examples may help you get started. 

Example checklist tasks: 

• Course navigation and structure are logical, with clear instructions – Content is well-organized, with an intuitive layout and clear directions for students. (QM 8.1, OEI A4)
• Learning objectives are clearly stated, measurable, and aligned with course content – Every module includes specific learning goals that connect to course activities and assessments. (QM 2.1, OEI A1)
• Assessments align with objectives and provide meaningful feedback – Assignments and quizzes measure stated objectives and include opportunities for feedback from instructors. (QM 3.1, OEI C3)
• Course materials are accessible and meet WCAG standards – All content, including documents, videos, and images, follows accessibility best practices. (QM 8.3, OEI D)
• Student engagement is fostered through discussions and interactive activities – Courses include structured opportunities for student-student and student-instructor interaction. (QM 5.2, RSI, OEI B3)
• Instructor presence is clearly established through announcements, videos, or feedback – Regular, substantive interactions between students and instructors are built into the course. (RSI, QM 5.4, OEI B2)
• Technology tools used in the course enhance learning and are easy to navigate – External tools and platforms integrate smoothly and do not create unnecessary barriers. (QM 6.1, OEI A3)
• Syllabus and course policies are clearly presented – Key information like grading, late work policies, and communication expectations is easy to find. (QM 1.1, OEI A1)
• Content is chunked for readability and cognitive load management – Materials are broken into manageable sections with clear headings and concise content. (QM 8.1, OEI A4)
• Multimedia content is effectively integrated – Videos, images, and interactive elements enhance learning and include captions, transcripts, and alt text. (QM 8.4, OEI D2)
• Course provides opportunities for self-assessment – Low-stakes quizzes, reflection activities, or practice exercises help students track their progress. (QM 3.5, OEI C4)
• Feedback mechanisms are clearly defined – Students understand how and when they will receive feedback from instructors. (QM 5.3, RSI)
• Diverse learning materials are included – Content reflects multiple perspectives and supports equity and inclusion. (OEI A6)
• Support resources are easily accessible – Links to academic support, mental health services, and technical assistance are provided. (QM 7.1, OEI D4)
• Academic integrity and AI usage guidelines are clearly stated – Policies on plagiarism, citation expectations, and responsible AI use are included. (QM 1.4, OEI C6)
• Discussion and collaboration expectations are defined – Clear guidelines outline expectations for meaningful interaction and respectful discourse. (QM 5.3, RSI, OEI B4)

Step 5: Create a Dedicated Quick View for Course Quality Reviews

Streamline collaboration and progress tracking by creating a custom ReadyGO Quick View and share it with your institution. This customized view will help your team focus on the most critical aspects of ensuring QM, RSI, and OEI compliance.

Suggested Columns to Include:

Start with the columns on the ReadyGO Preset Quick View, then add the following:

• Homepage Type
• Grading Scheme
• Instructor Announcements Count
• Discussion Topic Count
• Assignment Count
• Quiz Count
  
  

Step 6: Set Up ReadyGO Alerts for Course Quality Checks

Consider setting up ReadyGO Alerts to help identify courses that may be missing course quality components. 

Suggested Alerts to Create:

• If a course has fewer than two instructor announcements per week 
• If a course has fewer than two discussion topics
• If grading scheme is missing 

You Can Do It!

ReadyGO makes it easier to track and manage course quality reviews, ensuring alignment with Quality Matters (QM), Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI), and the OEI Course Design Rubric. By following these steps, you’ll have the tools to streamline the review process, identify gaps, and ensure courses meet institutional and accreditation standards.