Quality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. QM is a leader in quality assurance for online education and has received national recognition for its peer-based approach and continuous improvement in online education and student learning.There are many factors that affect course quality. QM reviews course design only – not delivery or faculty performance
Since 2014, Digital Learning and Innovation and Albright Faculty have been working together to provide faculty developers with a voluntary process for designing/developing their courses using this nationally recognized program.
There are three primary components in the Quality Matters Program:
Why does Albright College subscribe to Quality Matters?
Over 400 institutions nationwide use QM to certify online and hybrid course design..
Does QM replace student course evaluations or faculty evaluations?
No. QM is not a student evaluation of the faculty member’s delivery of the course. It is a peer evaluation of the design (not the content) of the course.
There are eight general standards and 42 specific standards. The eight general standards are:
What is the QM review process?
There are several QM reviews that will be utilized by Albright College:
What are the standards based on?
The standards are based on the principles of instructional design, research literature, and best practices.
Do I have to meet all the standards in order to meet expecations?
No. Courses do not have to be “perfect” in that they meet every single standard. However, courses do need to meet all essential standards and earn a minimum of 85 out of 100 points (85% in order to meet expectations.)
What happens if a course does not meet expecations?
The QM process is designed so that all courses will eventually meet expectations. If a course does not meet expectations upon an initial review, the faculty course developer received detailed feedback from a team of peer reviewers and have an opportunity to revise the course with the help of an Instructional Designer with the Department of Online and Digital Learning. The revised course is then submitted to the Team Chair for approval.
Who are the members of the Peer Review Team?
The peer review team consists of three members: The Course Designer, Instructional Designer and an Albright College faculty member who is a certified Peer Reviewer with Quality Matters. Each peer reviewer has online teaching experience and has been trained and certified by QM to conduct reviews.
Faculty Peer Reviewers: Karen Jogan, Bonnie Rohde, Mel Sensenig, Jerry Tartaglia, Julia Heberle, Randy Grove
How will the reviewers have access to my course?
The Department of Online and Digital Learning will give the Faculty Peer Reviewer “Instructor” level access to the master course while conducting the review. This will be revoked after the course has completed review and no access to student data is given.
Who is the QM Coordinator and Online Course Design Team at Albright College?
Brian Gall – QM Coordinator and Instructional Designer
Karen Rodgers – Online Course Development Lead and Instructional Designer
Dorothy Hoerr – Instructional Designer
You will be assigned to one of us to complete all parts of the course design and review process.
Who can I contact if I have questions about Quality Matters??
You can contact Brian Gall or Karen Rodgers about any questions relating to Quality Matters.
The Quality Matters Course Design Process is a cohort-based 180 day cycle where faculty work one on one with an instructional designer to design or redesign online courses to meet Quality Matters Standards. Quality Matters (QM) is a nationally recognized rubric and peer review program that provides guidance and best practices in designing online courses. Digital Learning and Innovation partners with the day and SPS programs to identify faculty for the program, support course development and fund faculty participation.
Working collaboratively with an instructional designer, the goals of the QMCD program are for you to:
The QM course design process is a stipended program with contracted responsibilities. Participation in the process requires sponsorship by the Department of Digital Learning and Innovation and Academic Affairs. Interested instructors should contact their department chair who can then contact our office on your behalf.
The QM process is designed to assist new and existing online instructors with the creation of new online courses or the revision of existing online courses.
The requirements of each course designer include:
The QM Course Design process is a structured 160 day program broken into the following parts:
You will meet regularly with an instructional designer in either face to face meetings or online meetings to brainstorm ideas for your course and discuss phase deliverables.
Major deliverables throughout the development process include the completion of the course map, the completion of the draft of your complete course in Canvas (all activities, assessments, materials, and instructions), revision of your course based on feedback from your instructional designer, and submission of your course to internal review.
Expected time to complete the various deliverables of the QM Course Design process will vary based on your experience as an online instructor, your level of proficiency with Canvas, the amount of planning you’ve already completed for your course, how much of the material for the course is already identified or created, etc. However, you should expect to spend at absolute minimum 3-5 hours per week actively working on your course. Instructional design support is available for the contracted time.
Please contact Brian Gall or Karen Rodgers about any questions relating to Quality Matters.