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Quality Matters (continued from cover page)

A team of three faculty members is trained to use the rubric to review an online course. The reviewers include one content expert and at least one member from an institution other than the course’s home institution. Review team members work both individually and collaboratively, and in communication with the course’s faculty member, to provide a compiled report that highlights exceptional elements and provides positive recommendations for improving the course. The QM project then provides instructional design support for implementing the review team’s recommendations. At the completion of the review and revision process, a course receives Quality Matters Recognition. To receive QM Recognition, a course must demonstrate all 3-point essential review elements and receive a combined total score of 68 out of 80 possible total points.

QM is a complex and challenging project run by MarylandOnline (MOL), a statewide consortium of 14 community colleges and five senior higher education institutions. One of the distinguishing features of QM is the voluntary nature of participation at all levels, from faculty to institutions.

Achieving consensus without interfering with the internal practices and policies of each institution is an additional practical consideration. The QM project was initially designed to assure MOL members of the quality of each other’s courses and increase participation in resource sharing and articulation. Institutions also can strengthen their institution’s accreditation package through the external review of online course quality. Faculty can access instructional design support and participate in professional development activities. Faculty peer reviewers have noted an immediate positive impact on their own online courses resulting from their exposure to the rubric, the opportunity to view other online courses, and collaboration with colleagues.

QM’s three year FIPSE grant runs from September 2003 through August 2006. Steps are being taken at every stage to insure that the quality assurance process and tools are replicable, reliable, scalable, and sustainable. QM activities have grown steadily from the review of seven online courses in spring 2004 to the selection of 20 courses for review in spring 2005; QM has trained over 100 faculty to use the rubric. QM also convened a statewide instructional design affinity group which has since become an active and separate organization. Plans for year two include the debut of online rubric training, adaptation to blended and face-to-face courses, and research projects focused on the impact of the QM process on student learning.

For more information about the QM project and to view the rubric, visit http://www.QualityMatters.org. To discuss the project or to inquire about participating in it, contact project co-directors Chris Sax (University of Maryland University College, csax@umuc.edu) and Mary Wells (Prince George’s Community College, mwells@pgcc.edu).

Welcome to New Programs Listed in the Sloan-C Catalog

Teikyo Post University
-Early Childhood Education (Associate)

Carnegie Mellon University
-Master of Science in Information Technology

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