Prairie View A&M University is committed to implement the Quality Matters standards for the design of online courses, and we are systematically building and evaluating our courses based on these rigorous, research-based standards. The Quality Matters standards assure that the online components of these courses promote learner engagement and provide students with all the tools and information they need to be successful learners.
There are 41 specific review standards. This handout provides a listing of these standards.
The Quality Matters tool set and process are:
- Based in national standards of best practice, the research literature, and instructional design principles.
- Designed to promote student learning
- Integral to continuous quality improvement
- Part of an inter-institutional, faculty-driven, collegial peer review process
How does QM help to create a quality course?
PVAMU has developed a syllabus template and an eCourses course template. Both templates incorporate many of the QM Standards. The templates provide areas that communicate important course policies, minimum technical requirements, communication policies, university resources, and accommodating students with disabilities.
Course alignment
Quality Matters stresses the importance of all course learning activities and assessments being aligned with the course learning objectives. Using the correct action verbs are the key to creating measurable learning objectives. A useful resource for selecting verbs can be found at (http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/oie/documents/assesments/Blooms Level.pdf).
Opportunity for a course review
Proposed online and hybrid courses will be reviewed by instructional designers and subject matter experts within your department. This is an opportunity to receive substantial, constructive, and specific comments and suggestions for improvement and identification of existing strengths in your course design. Reviewers take a students’ perspective to evaluate the course for clarity and ease of navigation. If a course meets all of the required standards and enough of the recommended standards, the course will be approved for new or continued delivery in an online or hybrid format.
How to learn more
- Quality Matters website and community portal – http://qmprogram.org
- Participate in the Quality Matters Standards Training – contact the Center for Instructional Innovation and Technology Services to find out more about the training.