Quality Matters

Heartland Community College is a subscribing member of Quality Matters and I wanted to take a minute to discuss some of the professional development opportunities that you can take advantage of. First, if you are not familiar with QM, it is a peer review process to ensure quality in an online/hybrid course. There are eight general standards and 43 specific standards.  

The eight general standards are:

a. Course Overview and Introduction
b. Learning Objectives
c. Assessment and Measurement
d. Resources and Materials
e. Learner Engagement
f. Course Technology
g. Learner Support
h. Accessibility QM offers a large variety of courses including:

The standards review the course design and organization NOT the content of the course. QM serves over 400 institutions and has a great reputation in higher education. Heartland Community College provides a variety of training opportunities for faculty, such as Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR), Peer Reviewer Course (PRC) through Quality Matters. To register, access the MyQM portal.  MyQM is a personalized, secure area of the Quality Matters Program website.

1. If you do not have a MYQM account, create a new MyQM Account by accessing the MyQM New User Web Page.
2. Email Address:  Use your Heartland Community College email address.
3. Institution Name: Heartland Community College
   
4. Follow on-screen instructions through rest of the account creation process.
5. Select “Create Account”
6. Once logged in, select the “Higher Education” tab.
7. On the left side bar, select “Workshops – Register”.
8. Select “Dedicated Training”.
9. All available training sessions will be listed.

Note:  Once you are logged in, download the latest version of the Quality Matters Rubric Standards with Points PDF. The fully annotated QM Rubric can be obtained by participating in the Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) course.  

Once you registered, take advantage of a huge variety of training opportunities including:

•  Orienting your online learners
• QM Success Stories
• Applying the QM Rubric (first certification & recommended!)
• Assessing your learners
• Creating Presence in your online course
• Exploring your institution's policies
• Designing your online course
• Peer Reviewer
• Master Reviewer
• Designing your blended course
• Plus many, many more!

I have taken most of these courses and will tell you that they have been the best professional development I have ever attended! Highly recommend, plus...they use Canvas, one more reason!

In addition, if you have considered having your course peer reviewed and receive the QM seal for your course, please let me know. I'm happy to discuss those options with you. We have four different faculty members who are currently going through this process now (Science & Nursing). Reach out and I'll explain the details. 

Meanwhile, what a great time of the year, as Summer is approaching, to take part in some PD opportunities! Get registered with QM today! Feel free to email me with any questions, take care!

Anna