Quality control systems are vital for businesses looking to achieve efficiency, minimize errors, and enhance customer satisfaction. In today’s competitive market, organizations need to prioritize the implementation of effective control systems that ensure the highest standards of quality. One program that focuses on improving the quality of online courses through a faculty-driven, peer review process is Quality Matters (QM). With over 870 institutional subscribers across various educational institutions and organizations, QM has become a recognized authority in course quality. By providing a comprehensive set of quality standards, known as the QM Rubric, QM empowers educators to align learning objectives, assessments, resources, interaction, and technology within their courses. Let’s delve into the details and understand how QM can elevate your business.

Table of Contents

Understanding Quality Matters

Quality Matters (QM) is a program designed to enhance the quality of online courses through a faculty-driven, peer review process. It provides a comprehensive set of quality standards known as the QM Rubric. This rubric consists of eight general standards and 43 detailed review standards that focus on various aspects of course design and delivery.

The QM Rubric emphasizes the alignment of learning objectives, assessments, resources, interaction, and technology within a course. By ensuring these elements are well-coordinated, QM aims to create a meaningful and engaging learning experience for online students.

With over 870 institutional subscribers, QM has gained wide recognition and adoption across various educational institutions and organizations. It offers both unofficial and official course reviews, with official reviews recognized by QM requiring adherence to the QM process. The course reviews are conducted by a team of QM-certified faculty peer reviewers, including a subject matter expert and an external reviewer, to ensure thorough and unbiased evaluations.

QM Certification: Validating Course Quality

Upon successfully completing a QM course review, the outcome is QM Certification, which demonstrates that the course meets the rigorous quality standards set by QM. This certification is valid for five years, unless significant changes are made to the course, indicating the ongoing commitment to quality improvement.

Through its continuous improvement approach, QM aims to enhance the quality of online courses by staying updated with emerging technologies and pedagogical approaches. By adhering to QM’s standards, institutions can ensure that their online courses provide students with a high-quality learning experience and effectively support their educational goals.

Adoption and Recognition of QM

Quality Matters has been widely adopted by more than 870 institutional subscribers and offers both unofficial and official course reviews recognized by QM. The program’s emphasis on improving the quality of online courses has attracted numerous educational institutions and organizations seeking to enhance their online learning offerings.

QM’s official course reviews require adherence to the QM process, ensuring that courses meet the program’s rigorous quality standards. These official reviews are conducted by a team of QM-certified faculty peer reviewers, who bring their expertise to evaluate various aspects of the course, including alignment of learning objectives, assessments, resources, interaction, and technology.

During the official review process, a subject matter expert, an external reviewer, and the team of QM-certified faculty peer reviewers collaborate to assess the course’s quality and provide valuable feedback for improvement. The outcome of a successful QM course review is the prestigious QM Certification, which recognizes the course’s adherence to the QM Rubric and quality standards. This certification is valid for five years, providing long-term validation of a course’s quality.

QM Certification: A Mark of Quality

QM Certification is a significant achievement, demonstrating the commitment of educational institutions and organizations to providing high-quality online courses.
It serves as a mark of distinction, assuring students and stakeholders that a QM-certified course meets rigorous quality standards.
Having QM Certification can enhance an institution’s reputation and attract more students, as it reflects a dedication to delivering exceptional online learning experiences.

By prioritizing QM Certification, institutions can showcase their commitment to continuous improvement and the ongoing effort to enhance the quality of online courses. This dedication not only benefits the institution but also elevates the overall online learning ecosystem, ensuring that learners have access to courses that meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness.

QM Course Reviews and Certification

QM course reviews are conducted by a team of QM-certified faculty peer reviewers, including a subject matter expert and an external reviewer, to ensure the quality of online courses. These experienced reviewers evaluate the course based on the QM Rubric, which consists of eight general standards and 43 detailed review standards. The QM Rubric emphasizes the alignment of learning objectives, assessments, resources, interaction, and technology within the course.

During the review process, the QM-certified faculty peer reviewers assess the course materials, syllabus, assignments, and overall instructional design. They provide feedback and recommendations for improvements to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the online course. The subject matter expert ensures that the content is accurate and up-to-date, while the external reviewer provides an objective perspective.

Upon successful completion of the QM course review, the outcome is QM Certification. This certification is valid for five years, establishing that the online course meets the rigorous quality standards set by QM. It serves as a mark of distinction, demonstrating a commitment to providing students with a high-quality learning experience. If significant changes are made to the course, a re-evaluation may be required to maintain QM Certification.

Continuous Improvement and Enhancing Course Quality

QM places significant emphasis on continuous improvement, encouraging instructors to constantly enhance the quality of their online courses. With the ever-evolving landscape of technology and pedagogy, it is crucial for educators to stay updated and adapt their content accordingly. QM’s commitment to quality enhancement ensures that online courses are designed to meet the highest standards and provide an optimal learning experience for students.

To facilitate this continuous improvement, QM offers a comprehensive set of quality standards known as the QM Rubric. This rubric encompasses eight general standards and 43 detailed review standards, covering various aspects of course design such as learning objectives, assessments, resources, interaction, and technology. By following these standards, instructors can ensure that their courses are aligned with best practices and deliver a cohesive and engaging learning experience.

Key aspects of QM’s approach to continuous improvement include:

Regular faculty-driven, peer reviews of online courses
Feedback and recommendations provided by QM-certified faculty peer reviewers
Incorporation of subject matter experts and external reviewers for comprehensive evaluations
Ongoing support and resources for instructors to implement suggested improvements

By actively engaging in the continuous improvement process, instructors can enhance the quality of their online courses, resulting in improved student outcomes and overall satisfaction. QM’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures that online education remains at the forefront of innovation and meets the evolving needs of learners in today’s digital age.

Elevate Your Business Today

Implementing effective quality control systems today can help your business achieve greater efficiency, minimize errors, and maximize customer satisfaction. Quality Matters (QM) is a program that focuses on the design of online courses and aims to improve their quality through a faculty-driven, peer review process. It provides a set of quality standards, known as the QM Rubric, which includes eight general standards and 43 detailed review standards. The QM Rubric emphasizes the alignment of learning objectives, assessments, resources, interaction, and technology within a course.

With over 870 institutional subscribers across various educational institutions and organizations, QM has been widely adopted and recognized as a trusted authority in course quality assurance. By undergoing an official QM course review, your business can demonstrate its commitment to delivering high-quality online courses that meet the rigorous standards set by QM. These reviews are conducted by a team of QM-certified faculty peer reviewers, who bring their expertise and industry knowledge to the evaluation process. A successful review culminates in QM Certification, which is valid for five years, providing your business with a recognized mark of excellence.

Furthermore, QM’s emphasis on continuous improvement ensures that your business stays at the forefront of online course quality. With access to the latest research, best practices, and evolving technologies, you can continually enhance your courses and offer an exceptional learning experience to your students. By prioritizing quality control systems and embracing the QM framework, your business can elevate its offerings, attract more satisfied customers, and achieve sustainable success in the online education landscape.