Course Reviews at Geneseo
Course Reviews at Geneseo
The CIT Instructional Design Team offers Course Review as a service to faculty teaching online. Centered on the Course Readiness Checklist, the review process supports ongoing improvements in course quality and accessibility.
What We Do
Faculty and instructional designers work together throughout the Course Review process, using the Course Readiness Checklist to promote systematic reflection on elements of course design that promote quality learning experiences for students and achievement of the desired learning outcomes. This process is intended to assist in conversations about how we can strengthen student learning experiences by using effective practices in instructional design.
We recommend a series of three meetings, spaced over time, to:
Review your course goals and materials
Suggest strategies and tools to meet student needs
Provide feedback on accessibility and quality standards
The first two (optional) meetings could occur before the review whereas the third is a required component of the review process and occurs once feedback has been compiled.
We’re flexible—whether you’d like more or fewer meetings, we’ll adapt to your schedule.
Our Approach: Backward Design
We use the backward design method, which starts with your course outcomes and works backward to align activities, assessments, and materials. This ensures that every element of your course supports your stated goals.
Here are the key questions we’ll help you answer:
What will students know or be able to do by the end of the course?
What technology will students need to succeed?
How will students demonstrate their learning?
How can students best prepare for these demonstrations?
What materials will support their success?
Answering these questions helps create a clear, direct path from outcomes → activities → assessments → evaluation.
Academic Year 2025-2026 Course Review Dates
Semester | Course Start Date | Course Review Request Deadline |
|---|---|---|
Fall 2025 | August 25 | July 28 |
| October 16 | September 18 |
Intersession | December 29 | December 1 |
Spring 2026 | January 20 | December 23 |
| March 23 | February 23 |
Summer 2026 | May 18 | April 20 |
| June 15 | May 18 |
| June 29 | June 1 |
| July 13 | June 15 |
Academic Year 2026-2027 Course Review Dates
Semester | Course Start Date | Course Review Request Deadline |
|---|---|---|
Fall 2026 | August 24 | July 27 |
| October 15 | September 17 |
Intersession | December 28 | November 30 |
Spring 2027 | January 26 | December 29 |
| March 22 | February 22 |
Summer 2027 | May 24 | April 26 |
| June 22 | May 25 |
| July 6 | June 8 |
| July 19 | June 21 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What criteria does Geneseo use to evaluate online classes?
SUNY Geneseo uses the Course Readiness Checklist (CRC) to improve the quality of online courses prior to the course being taught. The CRC identifies the minimum baseline of requirements, as well as aspirational best practices, adapted from the SUNY Online Course Quality Review Rubric (OSCQR).
What is the basis for the Course Readiness Checklist (CRC)?
The CRC is built on the OSCQR Rubric (pronounced “Oscar”), developed by SUNY staff and stakeholders to ensure online courses are learner-centered and well designed.
How is the Course Readiness Checklist used?
Instructional Designers use the CRC to review course design from a student perspective.
Essential requirements must be met.
Best practices are recommended and encouraged.
Faculty receive annotated feedback during the review process. Once feedback has been provided, faculty will be asked to re-annotate the CRC to highlight the changes that have been implemented in the course. After that re-annotated CRC is provided to the course reviewer, a secondary and cursory review of the course takes place.
What if my course doesn’t meet certain “best practices”?
Best practices are not required for a course to complete the review process. You may receive feedback and suggestions for improvement. Course design is iterative, and designers will work with you to strengthen your course over time.
What if my course does not meet all essential requirements?
Your course will not be considered as having completed the course review process until all essential requirements are met. These requirements should ideally be completed before the course opens, but must be addressed as soon as possible. The longer these critical elements remain incomplete, the greater the inequity for students.
What if I don’t know when or how to get started?
We’ve developed a sample course development plan, focusing on the fall 2026 semester, that you can use to guide your efforts as you work towards a review.
How often should a course be reviewed?
Whenever course material changes. Reviews help ensure that content remains current.
Who sees the results of a course review?
Reviews are confidential between you and the Instructional Design team.
Department chairs, program administrators, or incentive administrators may see limited information, but this will be communicated clearly in advance.
How does the review evaluate my course content?
Reviews focus on design and delivery, not disciplinary subject matter. Designers bring “fresh eyes” to assess usability and student experience.
What courses can be reviewed?
The focus is on online courses, but the team can review any Brightspace course, regardless of modality.
Can I request a partial review?
Yes. You can ask for feedback on specific sections, though full-course reviews provide the most benefit. A course is considered to have completed the review process only after a full-course review has been conducted.
What if I disagree with the review?
The review is a conversation starter. If you disagree with feedback, discuss it with your Instructional Designer.
Can I updated my materials after the review is completed?
Yes, absolutely! The feedback you receive is intended to guide updates to your course.
A colleague’s version of my course was reviewed. Do I also need a review?
Yes. Every faculty member’s course is unique and must be reviewed separately.
What’s the benefit of reviewing multiple courses I teach?
Each course and student group is different. Reviewing additional courses provides tailored feedback for each.
Can I choose my course reviewer?
Requests are considered, but the Director of Educational Technology assigns reviews based on team workload.
Will the reviewer fix typos or grammar?
Designers will point out typos they notice but are not copy editors. Faculty are responsible for course text quality.
How long does a review take?
Typically 5–7 business days.
Allow about two weeks total for review, consultation, and feedback.
Timing may vary during busy semesters.
When should I request a meeting with an Instructional Designer?
As early as possible. Designers provide the most help when involved early in the course design process. Reviews are one of the last steps in Geneseo’s course design process.
How should I submit my course for review?
You can submit your course for review by emailing the Instructional Design Team.
How should I prepare my course?
You’re expected to have a fully developed, student-ready course in place—rather than just an outline—a few weeks before the semester. This allows time for review and refinement before it’s shared with students.
Related articles