Best practices in undergraduate education: An analysis of the design of online course work

With the rapid expansion of online instruction, it is becoming increasingly important that seven pivotal principles of best practices can be visibly identified in currently offered online courses. This research examines whether student perceptions of the online instructing environment and online courses in general are affected by the absence or presence of these principles within the course design. It analyzes the results of 313 student surveys and 36 faculty surveys presented for participant completion in an online format. The results indicate that all seven principles of best practices are indeed embedded within the design of the online courses taught and students were able to visibly identify the seven principles within the design and delivery to a varying degree.