2. Introduction
This slideshow will introduce you to one of CSU's continuous
course improvement methods: Quality Matters (QM).
Please use the navigation buttons below, paying special attention
to the QM standards, rubric, and peer review process.
3. Continuous Improvement
In our drive for continuous improvement, CSU has begun
subscribing to Quality Matters (QM) and applying QM guidelines
to our courses. The major focus of QM is alignment. As a CW, you
must be very aware of the alignment in the course as you develop
each unit’s content. Various essential elements in the course, such
as the unit lesson, readings, assignments, and assessment
questions, must align with and support at least one outcome.
4. Status
Not all CSU courses have achieved QM status yet. Some have, and
others are being reviewed, but this process takes time. What can
happen now, however, is making sure that we incorporate
elements into our courses that meet QM standards. For example,
CSU courses now include a Program Alignment Table that shows
how everything in the course aligns with the course and unit
outcomes and a Unit Alignment Table that shows how every
learning activity in a unit is aligned with at least one ULO and/or
CLO. Another action we must take to achieve QM quality is to
provide at least one ULO to support each CLO addressed and
assessed in a unit.
5. Focus on Faculty and Student Communication
Communication between professors and students is required by
QM, and we support this in the following ways:
• Unit I Discussion Board question—requires students introduce
themselves and interact with their peers.
• Ask the Professor—available in every course to encourage
communication between student and professor.
• Student Break Room—available in every course to encourage
communication between students.
6. Getting Involved
Faculty who wish to become course writers for CSU are
encouraged to take the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric
(APPQMR) workshop, provided by Quality Matters. If you have not
yet taken this workshop, contact your Academic Director (APD or
ADD) and express your interest in completing the workshop. This is
a professional development opportunity provided by CSU at no
cost to participants.
7. Getting Involved
Quality Matters is a faculty-centered peer review process. Faculty
are encouraged to volunteer to serve as QM Subject Matter Expert
Course Peer Reviewers. Doing so will help them become better
course writers as they become more familiar with QM
requirements, as well as see what is being done in courses created
at other educational institutions.
