institutional policy & quality matters standards: the impact of policy on course quality deb...
Post on 01-Apr-2015
213 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
The Online Classroom
Where Institutional Policy and QM Standards Intersect
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
Online Students on Campus
Student-Institution Relationship
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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.
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
QM Rubric & Online Students
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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.
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
Policy Areas Affecting Course Design
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
# 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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
Where QM Can Affect Policy
QM
Course Content
Course Delivery
Faculty Readiness
Learning Platforms &
Technologies
Student Readiness
Institutional Infrastructure
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
Next Steps
What QM Needs to Know From You
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
• 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
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
Help QM Help You
• To continue the discussion– QM LinkedIn Group– Discussion Forums on QM website– dadair@qualitymatters.org
Thank You!
©MarylandOnline, Inc. 2011. All rights reserved
top related