Quality Matters @ Bucks
Inter-Collegiate
Quality Assurance
in Online Learning
Today’s Session…
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What is QM?
Why QM @ Bucks?
Introduction and use of QM Rubric
QM Process and Principles
Participation in Quality Matters
Overview
Quality Matters is . . .
a continuous improvement model
for assuring the quality
of online courses through a
faculty review process.
~ Fact Sheet ~
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, facultydriven, collegial peer review process
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 %
Why QM @ Bucks?
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Accreditation
Internal Assessments
Faculty/Student Feedback
WebCT 6
What’s in it for Faculty …
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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
Recognition by BCCC community
What’s in it for Students …
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Cleaner navigation & accessibility
Faster start: reduced frustration
Stronger engagement
Course baseline standards
Learning objectives & outcomes aligned
Quality online learning experience
Success!!
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
The Tools
QM Rubric
The Rubric
• Eight standards:
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Course Overview and Introduction
Learning Objectives
Assessment and Measurement
Resources and Materials
Learner Interaction
Course Technology
Learner Support
Accessibility
Key components
must align.
QM Rubric Features
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Online Demo Rubric
Annotations
Our Examples
Exemplary Course (?)
www.esac.org/fdi/rubric/finalsurvey/demorubric.asp
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.
Quality Matters:
Course Peer
Review Process
Institutions
Faculty Course
Developers
Course
Course Meets Quality
Expectations
National Standards &
Research Literature
Rubric
Faculty Reviewers
Training
Peer Course
Review
Feedback
Course
Revision
Instructional Designers
Rubric Scoring
Standards
Points
Relative Value
14
3
Essential
12
2
Very Important
14
1
Important
TOTALS
40
80
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Team of three (3) reviewers
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One score per standard based on majority
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Assigned point value; not sliding scale
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%
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
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.”
For more information:
Visit the website:
www.QualityMatters.org
Or contact:
Mary Ellen Bornak (bornakm@bucks.edu)
Georglyn Davidson (davidson@bucks.edu)
Michael Hennessey (hennesse@bucks.edu)
Sachi Horback (horbacks@bucks.edu)
Thanks to YOU…
Quality Matters
…pass it on!