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Quality Matters. Jennifer Strickland, PhD , jennifer.strickland@mcmail.maricopa.edu. What is it anyway?. Quality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online and hybrid courses and online components
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Quality Matters Jennifer Strickland, PhD, jennifer.strickland@mcmail.maricopa.edu
What is it anyway? • Quality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online and hybrid courses and online components • A faculty-driven, collaborative peer review process • Committed to continuous quality improvement • Based in national standards of best practice, the research literature and instructional design principles • Designed to promote student learning and success
Course Meets Quality Expectations Course Revision Faculty Course Developers Quality Matters Course Peer Review Process Institutions National Standards & Research Literature Course Rubric Faculty Reviewers Training Peer Course Review Feedback Instructional Designers
QM Certified Peer Reviewers • QM-Certified Peer Reviewers • How to interpret the standards (with examples and annotations) • How to evaluate a course (hands-on with sample course) • Reviews are conducted by teams of three peer reviewers • Master Reviewer/Chair • Peer reviewer (external) • Peer reviewer (SME)
700+ faculty trained to review online courses using the rubric • individuals from 158 different institutions in 28 states • More than 2,500 faculty and instructional design staff participated in Quality Matters workshops Quality Assurance
The Rubric is the Core of Quality Matters • 40 specific elements across 8 broad areas (general standards) of course quality • Detailed annotations and examples of good practice for all 40 standards • http://www.qualitymatters.org/FIPSE.htm
Course Alignment • 5 of the 8 general standards should align: • Course Overview and Introduction • Learning Objectives • Assessment and Measurement • Resources and Materials • Learner Interaction • Course Technology • Learner Support • ADA Compliance Key components must align
Standards • 1.1 Instructions make clear how to get started and where to find various course components. • 2.1The course learning objectives describe outcomes that are measurable. • 3.1 The types of assessments selected measure the stated learning objectives and are consistent with course activities and resources.
Common Areas for Improvement (2006-2007, based on 95 reviews) • Learning objectives at module/unit level (II.2): 45% • Self-check/practice with quick feedback (III.5): 42% • Instructions to students on meeting learning objectives (II.4): 40% • Alternatives to auditory/visual content (VIII.2): 39% • Clear standards for instructor availability(V.3): 37%
Maricopa Quality Matters • Maricopa/MCLI is the statewide consortium lead • Ten QM Maricopa Colleges • Other online Course Evaluation Resources • 67 faculty members, instructional designers and technologists are certified peer reviewers • College-Based Steering Team
Impact on Faculty Support • Nationally, 89% of respondents would recommend the QM review process to others • Sample comments • I was too close to see what could be improved. • Provides a great way to get an objective view of your course. • It made all of my online courses better. • It provides a view from a more student-oriented perspective. • It provides a look into potential student problems areas for course completion. • Many elements that might contribute to a student withdrawing can be eliminated.
QM is about peer review QM is about course design Not evaluation Not teaching; QM is about improving Student Success online Through effective and consistent course design