This document provides guidance for writing helpful quality matter (QM) reviews of online courses. It outlines a three step process: 1) Review the relevant QM standard and annotations, 2) Examine the course to see if it meets the standard at least 85% of the time, and 3) Include specific examples from the course that demonstrate how the standard is met or not met. The document also lists characteristics of effective reviews, such as being constructive, specific, measurable, sensitive, and balanced. Reviewers are advised to offer solutions when standards are not met and point out both strengths and weaknesses in a course.

1. Brandy Stark
QM January 2016

2. Become familiar with this diagram. It offers a concise description of writing a
helpful review.

3. 1. Standard: Be sure to review the
specific standard, and any
annotations, from the QM Rubric.
2. Course Evidence: Once the
Standard is firmly in mind, look
through the course being
evaluated. Ask yourself if the
course meets the Standard at 85%
or higher.
3. Find Examples: Remember to
include examples (with specific
locations) from the course when
writing a review. If the content
matched the Standard, show
how. If it did not, explain why
not. Characteristics

4.  Review these ideologies for great review writing
practices:
Constructive
Specific
Measurable
Sensitive
Balanced

5.  Educators know their craft and not meeting standards
can be a frustrating experience. When problems are
identified, try to offer solutions. Remember that the
goal of the review is to make sure that the class meets a
higher standard. If it doesn’t, reconstruction and
implementations will get it to that next level.

6.  Specific : Utilize those examples! Put yourself in the
shoes of the instructor, and show what is being
recommended. It will make the process of building
the class easier and more understandable from
multiple viewpoints.

7.  Measurable: Begin with an action verb that describes
a suggestion that can be evaluated. Remember
Bloom’s Taxonomy and other educational tools that
aid with this process. Put that knowledge to work.

8.  Sensitive: Educators are often deeply tied to the
content they present. Remember to keep
recommendations positive. We are here to help
improve the learning experience.

9.  Balanced: Point out strengths as well as weaknesses.
Remember that this is a process of improvement, but
there are areas that are wonderfully facilitated.