Jenessa L. Gerling presents the Quality Matters (QM) process, which is a peer review method aimed at certifying online and blended course quality based on specific standards. She emphasizes the importance of quality course design for learner success and discusses the integration of third-party tools, particularly Cengage Mindtap, into her courses. The presentation outlines the QM rubric, the review process, and the continuous improvement of course design.

1. QUALITY DOES MATTER…
A REAL SHOW AND TELL
Jenessa L. Gerling

2. MY BACKGROUND
• Instructor of Communication
(12 years)
• Brightspace by D2L Trainer
• Master Reviewer
• Accessibility and Assessment
Coordinator
• CONTACT INFORMATION
JGerling@hennepintech.edu

3. HISTORY
• Started Quality Matters (QM) process back in 2011
• Hennepin Technical College took this on as our main method of course design
evaluation
• Took Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR), Peer Reviewer and most recently
Master Reviewer courses
• To date have completed 23 reviews (soon to be 26)
• Chaired 1 Review
• Have two courses – Interpersonal Communication (online) and Small Group
Communication (online) both certified through QM
• Beyond QM have recently incorporated MindTap by Cengage into my
Interpersonal Course. First time using “true” third-party integrations.

4. • How many of you believe that quality course design is important to
learner success?
• Does quality design factor into all delivery methods? (i.e. FTF,
Blended/Hybrid and Online)
• What have you heard OR know about Quality Matters (QM)?
• Are you interested in a Formal QM Review?
• Are you interested in seeing third-party integrations in action?
• MOST IMPORTANT – What do you want to see today?
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

5. GOALS FOR TODAY
1. Quality Matters = Basics and background
2. The QM Review Process
3. Third-Party Publisher Integrations
4. Successes and Struggles – WHAT TO PREPARE FOR
5. Show course that is both QM Certified and includes third-party
integrations – specifically MindTap by Cengage.
6. Questions???

6. QUALITY MATTERS
According to Quality Matters (2014), it states,
“Quality Matters is a faculty-centered, peer
review process that is designed to certify the
quality of online and blended courses.”
“Quality Matters is a collegial review process in
which reviewers provide feedback on course
design in two ways, 1) through substantive,
constructive, measureable and specific
recommendations with regard to both course
strengths and areas for improvement, and 2)
by evaluating the extent to which course
design meets Specific Review Standards.”
Quality Matters (QM)
www.qm.program.org

7. THE PROCESS

8. QUALITY MATTERS RUBRIC – WHAT IS IT?
• Rubric was most recently revised - 5th Edition is being used
• Rubric itself is for blended/hybrid and fully online courses*
• Consists of 8 General Standards
• General Standards are comprised of 21 Essential Standards (worth 3 points a
piece), 14 Very Important Standards (worth 2 points a piece), and 8
Important Standards (worth 1 point each).
• To be QM Certified - all 21 of the 3-points Essential Standards MUST be met
and the course must meet a score of 85% or 84 out of 99 total points.
• Not all Essential Standards met, have time to revise course to meet
standards based on review suggestions
* I will challenge this to an extent … 

9. THE STANDARDS
1) Course Overview and Introduction
2) Learning Objectives (Competencies)
3) Assessment and Measurement
4) Instructional Materials
5) Course Activities and Learner Interaction
6) Course Technology
7) Learner Support
8) Accessibility and Usability

10. MY TAKE ON QUALITY MATTERS
1) FABULOUS Process and experience
2) Take the classes, it is WELL worth
your time and energy (GREAT PD)
3) WHY? To get the most from
course design
4) Really begin to look at all areas of
course design as touching on all
delivery methods. How, you might
ask?
5) Next steps- QM doesn’t have to be
the ONLY method of quality course
design, could be developed on
campus, etc. Possible problems –
no anonymity
6) Improvement is continuous and
ongoing – course isn’t perfect but
has a solid foundation for
accessibility rich and tool-based
integrations.

11. THIRD-PARTY INTEGRATIONS
According to the Brightspace by D2L webpage, it states, “3rd-party
tools with Desire2Learn, including things from simple embeds of
Web-based tools to more sophisticated uses involving Learning
Tools Interoperability (LTI).”
Additionally, “[t]he principal concept of LTI is to establish a
standard way of integrating rich learning applications (often
remotely hosted and provided through third-party services) with
platforms like learning management systems, portals, or other
educational environments.”
http://www.imsglobal.org/toolsinteroperability2.cfm

12. EXAMPLE POSSIBLE THIRD PARTY TOOLS
•Smart Thinking - McGraw Hill Campus
•Atomic Learning
•Pearson MyLab (example = MyCommLab, MyMathLab)
•Cengage MindTap
•Labyrinth eLab

13. CENGAGE – MINDTAP
MindTap is the digital learning solution that helps you transform
students into critical thinkers, turn cookie-cutter into cutting-edge,
apathy into engagement, and memorizers into higher-level thinkers.
- Cengage.com

14. WHAT MAKES MINDTAP APPEALING
& ALIGNMENT WITH QM
• Is a 1:1 integration – what does that mean?
• Able to use text layout as a method of setting up weekly
modules in D2L. Creates alignment between text and course
design (Start, Read, Practice, Do, Reflect). Assists with QM
alignment.
• Instructor has the POWER to decide what part of the text he/she
wants to include and integrate in D2L.
• Does not “kick” learners out of the LMS when they click on the
MindTap links, opens a new tab in browser.
• Students can highlight, take notes, look up definitions, bookmark
pages, utilize ReadSpeaker component and much more!

24. TIME TO SHOW COURSE IN
ACTION…

25. QUESTIONS ????
“Design is not just what it looks
like and feels like. Design is how
it works.”
- Steve Jobs