Quality Matters Standards Course Review
Are you developing or working on improving the design of an online or hybrid course? We can help!
Guided by the Quality Matters rubric and a course development checklist, a certified Quality Matters (QM) Peer Reviewer will evaluate your course on Quality Matters Standards 1–8. Any Hawkeye instructor, full-time or adjunct, can submit their course for review.
A certificate of completion will be issued for each standard reviewed which can be applied toward your Quality Faculty Plan portfolio.
The overall design of the course is made clear to the learner at the beginning of the course.
For Standard 1 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
1.1
Instructions make clear how to get started and where to find various course components.
1.2
Learners are introduced to the purpose and structure of the course.
1.3
Etiquette expectations (sometimes called “netiquette”) for online discussions, email, and other forms of communication are stated clearly.
1.4
Course, institutional, or organizational policies with which the learner is expected to comply are clearly stated, or a link to current policies is provided.
1.5
Minimum technology requirements are clearly stated, and instructions for use are provided.
1.6
Prerequisite knowledge in the discipline and/or any required competencies are clearly stated.
1.7
Minimum technical skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.
1.8
The self-introduction by the instructor/facilitator is appropriate and available online.
1.9
Learners are asked to introduce themselves to fellow learners.
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Learning objectives or competencies describe what learners will be able to do upon completion of the course.
For Standard 2 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
2.1
The course learning objectives, or course/program competencies, describe outcomes that are measurable.
2.2
The module/unit learning objectives or competencies describe outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the course-level objectives or competencies.
2.3
All learning objectives or competencies are stated clearly and written from the learner’s perspective.
2.4
The relationship between learning objectives or competencies and course activities is clearly stated.
2.5
The learning objectives or competencies are suited to the purpose or level of the course.
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Assessment strategies are integral to the learning process and are designed to evaluate learner progress in achieving the stated learning objectives or mastering the competencies.
For Standard 3 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
3.1
The assessments measure the stated learning objectives or competencies.
3.2
Course information specifies how successful completion of the course will be recognized.
3.3
Specific and descriptive criteria are provided for the evaluation of learners’ work and are tied to the course policy for determination of successful course completion.
3.4
The assessment instruments selected are sequenced, varied, and suited to the learner work being assessed.
3.5
The course provides learners with multiple opportunities to track their learning progress.
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Instructional materials enable learners to achieve stated learning objectives or competencies.
For Standard 4 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
4.1
The instructional materials contribute to the achievement of the stated course and module/unit learning objectives or competencies.
4.2
Both the purpose of instructional materials and how the materials are to be used for learning activities are clearly explained.
4.3
All instructional materials used in the course are appropriately cited.
4.4
The instructional materials are current.
4.5
A variety of instructional materials is used in the course.
4.6
The distinction between required and optional materials is clearly explained.
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Course activities facilitate and support learner interaction and engagement.
For Standard 5 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
5.1
The learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies.
5.2
Learning activities provide opportunities for interaction that support active learning.
5.3
The instructor/facilitator’s plan for classroom response time and feedback on assignments is clearly stated.
5.4
The requirements for learner interaction are clearly stated.
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Course technologies support learners’ achievement of course objectives or competencies.
For Standard 6 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
6.1
The tools used in the course support the learning objectives or competencies.
6.2
Course tools promote learner engagement and active learning.
6.3
Technologies required in the course are readily obtainable.
6.4
The course technologies are current.
6.5
Links are provided to privacy policies for all external tools required in the course.
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The course facilitates learner access to support services essential to learner success.
For Standard 7 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
7.1
The course instructions articulate or link to a clear description of the technical support offered and how to obtain it.
7.2
Course instructions articulate or link to the institution or organization’s accessibility policies and services.
7.3
Course instructions articulate or link to an explanation of how the institution or organization’s course support services and resources can help learners succeed in the course and how learners can obtain them.
7.4
Course instructions articulate or link to an explanation of how the institution or organization’s learner services and resources can help learners succeed and how learners can obtain them.
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The course design reflects a commitment to accessibility and usability for all learners.
For Standard 8 the following specific review standards will be evaluated:
8.1
Course navigation facilitates ease of use.
8.2
Information is provided about accessibility of all technologies required in the course.
8.3
The course provides alternative means of access to course materials in formats that meet the needs of diverse learners.
8.4
The course design facilitates readability.
8.5
Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.
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Submit Your Course For Review
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