Institutional Policy & Quality Matters Standards: The impact of policy on course quality Deb Adair,...

Institutional Policy & Quality Matters Standards:

The impact of policy on course quality

Deb Adair, QM Director Sloan-C Conference

November 9-11, 2011

©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved

Presentation Framework

• The Online Classroom– The intersection of QM and Institutional Policy

• The QM Rubric– Structuring the relationship between learner and

institution

• How Institutional Policy Affects Course Quality • An Opportunity for Improvement: How QM can

Affect Policy• Next Steps: What we need to know from you


The Online Classroom

Where Institutional Policy and QM Standards Intersect



Online Students on Campus

Student-Institution Relationship



The Design of the Classroom

• The way a course is designed will affect the way the student experiences the institution. It is the structure for the learning environment and the primary vehicle for interaction with institutional resources and rules.

• The QM Rubric can provide the structure for designing the course to support positive interaction between the student and the institution.

• Institutional policies will affect the way the course is designed, as well as delivered.

• Because QM Rubric standards and institutional policies will intersect in the online classroom, it’s important they do not conflict.

The Quality Matters Rubric

Structures the way the student experiences the institution through

the online classroom


Consisting of:• 8 key areas (general standards) of course quality • 41 specific review standards• Including 21 essential standards• and detailed annotations and examples of good

practice for all 41 standards

The Rubric is the Core of QM


The QM Rubric

Eight General Standards:

1. Course Overview and Introduction2. Learning Objectives (Competencies)3. Assessment and Measurement4. Instructional Materials5. Learner Interaction & Engagement6. Course Technology7. Learner Support8. Accessibility

Key components must align.

Alignment: Critical course elements work together to ensure that students achieve the desired learning outcomes.


QM Rubric & Online Students


QM RubricFaculty Development, Course Reviews

IRs, IDs, Faculty, Reviewers

Institution: Policies

Design of Online Classroom

Online Learning Students

How Policy Affects Course Quality

As Evaluated by the QM Rubric Standards


Factors Affecting Course Quality

QM Reviews Course Design ONLY©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved

QM’s Role in Quality Assurance

• QM looks at course design• The harnessing of technology to deliver instruction and

promote student learning

• Quality Matters Rubric Standards are not wholly discreet from other factors of course quality. They intersect at the level of institutional policy.



Policy Areas Affecting Course Design


Policies Affecting QM Standards

Policies Import for Course Design QM-Standard

Content: Course Learning objectives Measurability of Learning Objectives 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1,6.1

Content: Course Prerequisites Communication to Online Students 1.5Student Readiness: Technical Skills Communication to Online Students 1.6Student Readiness: Communication Behavior

Communication of appropriate behavior to Online Students: Netiquette

1.3

Faculty Readiness: Training on Accessibility Course must demonstrate a commitment to accessibility for all students

8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4

Infrastructure for Learner Support: Technical, Accessibility, Academic, Student Support

Communication to and access by Online Students

7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4

Infrastructure: Academic Integrity, Student Conduct, Student Grievances, etc.

Communication to Online Students 1.4

Infrastructure: Intellectual Property Resources and materials are appropriately cited

4.3

LMS: Technology Resources Currency of technologies 6.5

Quality of Course Design


# of Affected QM Standards

Points Value

10 3 Essential

7 2 Very Important

1 4 Important

18 48 Does Not Meet QM Standards

An Opportunity for Improvement

How QM can affect policy



Where QM Can Affect Policy

QM

Course Content

Course Delivery

Faculty Readiness

Learning Platforms &

Technologies

Student Readiness

Institutional Infrastructure


QM Standards Impact PolicyPolicies Import for Policy QM-Standard Existence, articulation, and relevance for online students Content: Mandated Learning Objectives

Course learning objectives must be measurable to align with module objects, assessments, materials, activities, and technology

2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1,6.1

Content: Grading Policies Clearly explains relationship between elements and grades 3.2Student Readiness: Communication Behavior

Communicate netiquette behavior relevant for online students 1.3

Faculty Readiness: Training on Accessibility

For course to demonstrate commitment to accessibility, faculty require training

8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4

Faculty Readiness: Personnel Policies

Plan for classroom response time and availability is clearly stated and appropriate for online students

5.3

Infrastructure for Learner Support: Technical, Accessibility, Academic, Student Support

Commitment to services appropriate for online students: Technical support, student advising, online registration, counseling services, library services, tutoring services, disability services, financial aid counseling

7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4

Institutional policies with which the student must comply

Student conduct codes, academic integrity policies, penalties for late assignments, withdrawal procedures and deadlines, incomplete grades, grievance procedures relevant for online students

1.4

Faculty Readiness: Intellectual Property

Training and resources to ensure materials are appropriately cited 4.3

LMS: Technology Resources Acquisition of current technologies 6.5


Can QM IMPROVE Policy?

• Improved courses• Engaged faculty• Reduced course

development time• Ongoing faculty

development• Quality benchmarking• Awareness & support

for online learning• Institutional

improvement

Raising Awareness

Reported Uses of QM Tools:• Guidelines for initial online course development• Quality assurance of existing courses• Ongoing faculty professional development• Institutional re-accreditation packages• Focus attention on distance learning policies &

steering committees• Create a campus climate and structure that

promotes teaching and learning

The Leverage of a National Standard

• 540 + current subscribers• More than 44 states represented, 6 countries• QM has trained 14,000+ faculty and

instructional design staff• Community Collaboration• Largest community collaboration on

quality in online education• Award Winning• - Sloan-C , USDLA, WCET


Next Steps

What QM Needs to Know From You



• Should QM do more by identifying best practices in each of these areas?

• Are there other areas of institutional policy that are affected by institutional efforts to meet QM standards?

• Are there other institutional policy areas that the QM Rubric should address? ? If not in the QM rubric, how does QM best encourage improvement on these?

Questions


Help QM Help You

• To continue the discussion– QM LinkedIn Group– Discussion Forums on QM website– [email protected]

Thank You!


Institutional Policy & Quality Matters Standards: The impact of policy on course quality Deb Adair,...

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