High-Quality Compliant Online Courses: It's All in the Details

A critical compliance deadline is looming for ADA digital accessibility requirements. In 2026, online courses and course materials offered at public colleges and universities must be accessible, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ) ruling in 2024. In addition to avoiding lawsuits and accreditation sanctions, complying with regulations strengthens an institution's reputation for course quality, a key contributor to student retention and completion rates. Reviewing courses every few years helps maintain quality. However, ad hoc revisions to online course content by well-meaning faculty can overwrite formerly compliant instructional materials and structural elements. One solution to this problem is to partner faculty with Learning Experience Designers (LEDs), who have a trained eye for detail and can ensure that online courses meet key requirements within the mandated timeframe.

Practical Applications and Challenges

To meet the compliance deadline, LEDs are critical to achieving accessibility in online courses. They ensure that accurate closed captions for videos are created and assist with writing relevant alternative text for images and descriptions for links that clarify and streamline content. Attention to these details reduces the likelihood of learners feeling confused and frustrated. While dissatisfied students may compromise an institution's reputation for course quality, the impact of a DOJ consent decree could be far more damaging.

Without proper attention to detail, other barriers to learning may result. Materials with incorrect, missing, or unclear language can impede student success. Imagine an instructor entering a prompt into ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence tool and immediately placing the content generated from that prompt into the course. Without proper vetting, students may learn inaccurate information or become confused by insufficient or unclear information. LEDs can help guide instructors on relevant and effective practices to ensure vetting occurs. Poorly written assignment directions also undermine course quality. An instructor who writes, "Spellin must bee checked proir to submission," is good for a laugh, but hurried, unreviewed writing and typos can result in a student's diminished respect for the instructor and reduced effort and engagement with the course work. The aid of LEDs who work with faculty to meticulously review course materials is invaluable for eliminating these issues.

Attention to detail also applies to the overall functionality of the learning management system (LMS) and its relationship to the syllabus and other key documents. For instance, the syllabus might stipulate that assessments will be visible during specific timeframes. LEDs can help set up the LMS to deliver on these expectations, ensuring consistency and a pathway to success. The syllabus may also list grading categories with aligned weights. For example, a category in the syllabus labeled "Exams" may be worth 40% of the final grade. Configuring the LMS gradebook to precisely match the details specified in the syllabus contributes to a smooth learning experience. Prioritizing these and similar details promotes consistency, builds trust, and supports learners throughout the duration of the course.

Solution-Oriented Resources and Partnerships

For both LEDs and faculty, leveraging technology reduces the time and effort involved in catching and correcting course-related errors. Video platforms like Microsoft Stream, for instance, auto-generate captions that can be edited as needed. LMSs offer accessibility checkers and link validators that flag issues like missing alternative text or broken links and assist with corrections. Grammarly can review course materials and provide suggestions to improve writing quality. Technology alone, however, is insufficient for achieving the results needed to avoid course content errors and student dissatisfaction. Institutions with processes and resources in place to maintain online courses that align with course quality standards, accreditation, and legal requirements are more likely to achieve higher levels of student satisfaction and retention.

Ellucian's skilled and experienced LEDs have provided institutions with strategic course development and revision processes, quality assurance reviews, and professional development for faculty and staff for decades. Learn how Ellucian's Teaching and Learning Services can strengthen your institutional efforts and support a cultural shift toward creating and maintaining high-quality courses that facilitate student success.