This document provides an overview of Quality Matters (QM), which is a continuous improvement model for ensuring quality in online courses through a faculty review process. It discusses how QM standards are based on research and focus on student learning. The QM peer review process involves faculty reviewing a course using a rubric to provide feedback on how to improve the course. The goals of QM are to benefit students through improved online courses, faculty through professional development and course improvement, and institutions through strengthened accreditation.

1. Quality Matters @ BarryQuality Matters @ Barry
Inter-CollegiateInter-Collegiate
Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance
in Online Learningin Online Learning

2. Today’s Session…
• What is QM?
• Why QM @ Barry?
• Introduction and use of QM Rubric
• QM Process and Principles
• Participation in Quality Matters

3. Quality MattersQuality Matters is . . .is . . .
aa continuous improvement modelcontinuous improvement model
for assuring the qualityfor assuring the quality
of online courses through aof online courses through a
faculty review processfaculty review process..
~~ Fact Sheet ~Fact Sheet ~
Overview

4. QM Foundations
• Based in national standards of best
practice, the research literature, and
instructional design principles
• Designed to promote student learning
• Integral to continuous quality
improvement
• Part of an inter-institutional, faculty-
driven, collegial peer review process

5. For Our Purposes, Quality Is…
• More than average;
more than “good
enough”
• An attempt to capture
what’s expected in an
effective online
course at about an
85% level
• Based on research
and widely accepted
standards
85 %

6. Why QM @ Bucks?
• Accreditation
• Internal Assessments
• Faculty/Student Feedback
• Canvas

7. What’s in it for Faculty …
• Fresh eyes leads to course improvement
• Quality assurance
• Validates best practices in online learning
• Reduces redundant procedural questions
• More time on teaching
• Expands professional community

8. What’s in it for Students …
• Cleaner navigation & accessibility
• Faster start: reduced frustration
• Stronger engagement
• Course baseline standards
• Learning objectives & outcomes aligned
• Quality online learning experience
• Success!!

9. What’s in it for Institutions …
• Gain access to a sustainable, replicable,
scalable QA process
• Strengthens institution’s accreditation
package
• Positively impact articulation agreements
• Provide professional development
activities
• Improve student retention

10. The ToolsThe Tools
QM RubricQM Rubric

11. The Rubric
• Eight standards:
– Course Overview and Introduction
– Learning Objectives
– Assessment and Measurement
– Resources and Materials
– Learner Interaction
– Course Technology
– Learner Support
– Accessibility
Key components
must align.

12. QM Rubric Features
• Online Demo Rubric
• Annotations
• Our Examples
• Exemplary Course (?)

13. Peer Review Process
• Sometimes teaching an online course
can feel isolating.
• How do we know if our course is
effective?
• How do we make changes to our
course to make it even better for our
students?
• Sometimes we just need a fresh pair of
eyes.

14. Peer CoursePeer Course
ReviewReview
FeedbackFeedback
CourseCourse
Course Meets QualityCourse Meets Quality
ExpectationsExpectations
CourseCourse
RevisionRevision
Instructional Designers
Institutions
Faculty Course
Developers National Standards &
Research Literature
Rubric
Faculty Reviewers
Training
Quality Matters:Quality Matters:
Course PeerCourse Peer
Review ProcessReview Process

15. Rubric Scoring
Standards Points Relative Value
14 3 Essential
12 2 Very Important
14 1 Important
TOTALS
40 80
• Team of three (3) reviewers
• One score per standard based on majority
• Assigned point value; not sliding scale

16. To Meet Expectations…
A course must:
• Rate “Yes” on all 14 of the 3-point
“essential” standards.
• Earn minimum 68 out of 80 points
68/80 = 85%

17. The QM process is…
• Not about an individual instructor
–It’s about the course
• Not about faculty evaluation
–It’s about course quality
• Not about “winners” and “losers”
–It’s about continuous
improvement in a supportive
environment

18. Remember...
• Continuous quality improvement is
our goal.
• This is a learning process for us all.
• We’re “constructing” and helping to
determine what “quality matters.”

19. For more information:
Visit the website:
www.QualityMatters.org
Or contact:
Lyndon Godsall
Rhonda Hill

20. Thanks to YOU…
Quality Matters
…pass it on!