Quality Matters at the CTCsKayeri Akweks, SBCTCSeptember 18, 2009 For Wenatchee Valley College

Hello - IntroductionsWho, what, where, and why was I interested in QMExperience of QM so farOnline classes I teach currently Instructional Design and Rubrics – opinion

Definition of Quality Matter http://www.qualitymatters.org/Quality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online courses and online components.

History of QM with the CTCs2008-2009 Pilot - __ Colleges Involved in Pilot The 2008-2009 Quality Matters (QM) pilot is wrapping up 17 faculty completed QM Peer Reviewer Training 2 faculty are Master Reviewers already13 are in process to become Master Reviewers 2 will remain Peer Reviewers

Going Forward with QM2009-2010 We hope that WVC submits a QM Plan to the SBCTC eLearning Directors expressed unanimous support in moving forward with additional QM professional development opportunities for college faculty. In the spirit of the system’s Strategic Technology Plan, SBCTC will fund the QM Plan for 2009-2010… and will continue to fund QM activities as long as it is meeting college instructional design needs and program funds are available.Colleges that wish to sign up for the 2009-2010 QM project must submit a 1-2 page plan no later than 5:00pm on August 31, 2009. Plans should be e-mailed to: cgreen@sbctc.edu

eLearning Directors expressed unanimous support in moving forward with additional QM professional development opportunities for college faculty.

In the spirit of the system’s Strategic Technology Plan, SBCTC will fund the QM Plan for 2009-2010…

and will continue to fund QM activities as long as it is meeting college instructional design needs and program funds are available.

Colleges that wish to sign up for the 2009-2010 QM project must submit a 1-2 page plan no later than 5:00pm on August 31, 2009. Plans should be e-mailed to: cgreen@sbctc.edu

Process to become a QM Master Reviewer

Important PointImportant point: while it’s great to be a “Peer” or “Master” reviewer, some faculty only want / need a general understanding and a copy of the QM rubric … and for those folks – the “Applying the QM Rubric” training may be exactly what they want.

The Quality Matters RubricQuality Matters created a set of forty specific elements, distributed across eight broad standards, by which to evaluate the design of online and hybrid courses. The eight broad standards include:Course Overview and IntroductionLearning ObjectivesAssessment and MeasurementResources and MaterialsLearner EngagementCourse TechnologyLearner SupportAccessibility

Quality Matters Rubric Standards Course Overview and Introduction EXAMPLE OF SECTION 11.1 Instructions make clear how to get started and where to find various course components. 1.2 A statement introduces the student to the purpose of the course and to its components; in the case of a hybrid course, the statement clarifies the relationship between the face-to-face and online components. 1.3 Etiquette expectations (sometimes called “netiquette” for online discussions, email, and other forms of communication are stated clearly. 1.4 The self-introduction by the instructor is appropriate and available online. 1.5 Students are asked to introduce themselves to the class. 1.6 Minimum student preparation, and, if applicable, prerequisite knowledge in the discipline are clearly stated. 1.7 Minimum technical skills expected of the student are clearly stated.MarylandOnline, Inc. ©2009. All rights reserved. Please contact MarylandOnline, Inc. (www.qualitymatters.org) for information or reprint permission.

Centered on Research, Student Learning, Quality On research - the development of the rubric is based in national standards of best practice, the research literature, and instructional design principles. On student learning - the rubric and process are designed to promote student learning. On quality - the review sets a quality goal at the 85% level or better (courses do not have to be perfect but better than good enough).

Underlying Principles of Quality Matters – Continuous The Quality Matters rubric and process areContinuous The Quality Matters process is designed to ensure that all reviewed courses will eventually meet expectations. The process is integral to a continuous quality improvement process.

CollegialThe Quality Matters rubric and process are Collegial: A Quality Matters review is part of a faculty-driven, peer review process. The review process is intended to be diagnostic and collegial, not evaluative and judgmental.

CollaborativeThe Quality Matters rubric and process are Collaborative:The review is based on collaboratively identified evidence found in the course rather than the personal preference of an individual reviewer. The review is flexible and not prescriptive (many ways to meet each standard). The review team consists of three experienced online instructors as reviewers along with the course faculty developer.

Benefits for Instructors 3 other trained faculty (from across the US and Canada) review your course and give written feedback The rubric helps by having a “check list” to use to design the course Course navigation and accessibility is verifiedA Master Reviewer stays with you the entire time and afterwards helps you with any changesCertified course displays the QM certification mark in the college catalog

Benefits for Departments All faculty have access to a nationally recognized support system for designing online coursesCollegial networks are built for faculty with their reviewersA baseline of best practices are used across the department for the development of online courses

Benefits for Online Learning and Students All parts of the online course, including navigation, are aligned with the course syllabusInteresting online functionalities and accessibility are encouraged and checkedMaterials follow learning pathways that make sense Grading is measured by clearly stated rubrics for students to follow with clarity

Benefits for the CollegeA baseline of best practices are used across the college for the development and improvement of online coursesFaculty training in the development of online courses is based on research QM certified courses can be shown in the college course schedule or catalog

Linkshttp://www.developfaculty.com/Comparison of the Quality Matters Rubric to Accreditation Standards for Distance LearningCourses Recognized in 2009

Questions Contact : Kayeri Akweks about this presentation at kakweks@sbctc.eduFor a copy of this presentation go to SlideShare.com and type Kayeri Akweks into the search function or go to (link)Contact Cable Green cgreen@sbctc.eduor Boyoung Chae bchae@sbctc.edu to start the QM process