Standard 04 of 08
Faculty and Instructors
Qualified teaching staff who are supported, supervised and evaluated.
Teaching online is a skill of its own. This standard asks whether the people who teach and assess are suitably qualified for the subject and level, prepared for online teaching, and supported and monitored by the institution.
What HCDE expects
- Instructors whose qualifications or experience suit the subject and level they teach, with credentials checked by the institution.
- Preparation and ongoing development for teaching and assessing online.
- A clear expectation of how quickly and how often instructors respond to learners, and a way to see that it happens.
- Evaluation of teaching, using learner feedback and academic review, with action when quality is low.
- Academic oversight of part-time, external and partner-supplied staff to the same standard as permanent staff.
- Contracts and workloads that allow instructors to do the job well.
Evidence reviewers look for
- Staff profiles with qualifications and the checks made on them
- Induction and development records for online teaching
- Teaching evaluation results and follow-up actions
- Response-time expectations and the way they are monitored
- Arrangements for part-time and external instructors
Questions a reviewer may ask
- How does the institution check an instructor's credentials before appointment?
- What does the institution do when learners report slow or poor teaching?
- Who is responsible for the academic quality of externally supplied instructors?
How this standard is judged
Reviewers read the evidence, may ask for more, and may speak with staff and learners. They record whether the standard is met, met with recommendations, or not yet met, and explain why. The way these findings lead to a decision is set out on the Decisions and Status page.
Questions before you begin?
Write to HCDE and we will explain the route that fits your institution, program or situation.