Quality Matters
What is Quality Matters?
Quality Matters (QM) is a nationally recognized, faculty-driven peer review process used to ensure the quality of online and blended course design. The Quality Matters higher education rubric is a set of standards used to evaluate the design of online and blended courses. These standards were developed and revised based on research and established best practices in the fields of instructional design and online learning.
At UToledo we strive to meet Quality Matters standards for our online and blended courses. Instructional designers, who are also certified Quality Matters peer reviewers, work with faculty and teaching assistants to apply QM standards in online and blended learning course design.
QM Course Reviews
There are three types of Quality Matters reviews:
- Self-review: Instructor reviews their own course for improvement using QM standards.
- Informal review: An unofficial course review conducted by a UToledo Online instructional designer (who is a QM certified peer reviewer). Used to improve upon a course design and/or help an instructor prepare their course for an official QM review.
- Official review: Course is reviewed by a team of 2 QM certified peer reviewers from other institutions. The course is officially recognized by Quality Matters upon meeting QM rubric standards.
Faculty are encouraged to submit their online or blended courses for a Quality Matters review. If you are interested in an informal or official QM review, please contact your instructional designer.
Watch the video below to hear from UToledo faculty who have had their courses reviewed and recognized by QM:
QM Professional Development
UToledo Online works with Quality Matters and the Ohio Quality Matters Consortium to offer QM professional development workshops and courses.
Workshops
Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Workshop
Description: Quality Matters (QM) is designed to improve the quality of online courses though a peer-reviewed quality assurance review process. In this workshop, you will learn about the Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric, the course review process, the concept of alignment, and how to draft helpful recommendations for course improvement. This workshop is offered either as a full day synchronous virtual workshop or it can be divided into two half-day sessions. Workshop sessions are taught by UToledo Online or other member institutions from the Ohio Quality Matters Consortium. This course is included as part of the UToledo Online Pathway Program. Visit Faculty Development Training Schedule and Registration for more information on upcoming sessions.
Training Courses & Certifications
QM Peer Reviewer Course
Description: This three-week online course is designed to prepare experienced online faculty to serve as Quality Matters certified peer reviewers. The course includes a review of the foundational principles of QM and the Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric, as well as practice applying rubric standards and writing helpful recommendations. Additionally, participants will use their new skill set to complete a practice review of an online course.
Upon successful completion of this course, eligible participants may submit a role application to Quality Matters to be approved to be a QM certified peer reviewer. After approval, reviewers may serve on official Quality Matters reviews for higher education courses at institutions across the country.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric workshop.
Registration and Funding: The Peer Reviewer course is taught by Quality Matters and has a registration fee. UToledo Online offers funding so that experienced online instructors at UToledo can become QM certified peer reviewers. For more information, please contact UToledo Online at utlv@utoledo.edu.
QM Master Reviewer Course
Description: This three-week intensive online course is for experienced QM peer reviewers who wish to advance their training and lead QM review teams. The role of the QM master reviewer is integral to ensuring the rigor and consistency of the peer-review process. In this course, peer reviewers will learn the role of master reviewers including management of the entire review process and coaching peers to ensure helpful recommendations are provided for course improvements. Please note: A substantial time commitment is necessary to successfully complete the training.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric workshop and the QM Peer Reviewer course, and service on two official higher education QM course review teams as a QM certified peer reviewer.
Registration and Funding: The Master Reviewer course is taught by Quality Matters and has a registration fee. UToledo Online offers funding so that experienced QM certified peer reviewers at UToledo can continue their training and become QM certified master reviewers. For more information, please contact UToledo Online at utlv@utoledo.edu.
QM Certified Peer Reviewers at UToledo
UToledo faculty and teaching assistants are committed to quality online course design. Many have become QM certified peer reviewers and have served on QM course review teams for institutions across the country. If you are interested in becoming a QM certified peer reviewer, please contact your instructional designer.
Watch this video to learn more about the reviewer experience from UToledo faculty that are QM certified peer reviewers: