QUALITY ASSURANCE

Quality Assurance encompasses many facets of the online experience.

• ensuring that all online courses meet national standards for quality design
• ensuring that all instructors-of-record and facilitators have the knowledge and skills needed to deliver quality online learning experience
• engaging in continuous improvement of both the design and delivery of online learning experiences
• ensuring that online learning experiences meet quality standards from a technical standpoint

Quality Design

Quality Matters (QM) is the course design standard preferred for all Ohio University online courses.

QM is a leader in quality assurance for online education and has received national recognition for its peer-based approach and continuous improvement in online education and student learning.

Ohio University is a member of both the national Quality Matters organization and the Ohio Quality Matters Consortium, where you can find information about QM and professional development opportunities.
http://www.qmprogram.org/
https://sites.google.com/site/ohioqmconsortium/home
https://sites.google.com/site/ohioqmconsortium/calendar

There are three primary components in the Quality Matters Program: The QM Rubric, the Peer Review Process and QM Professional Development.

To view the current edition of the QM Rubric:
http://www.qmprogram.org/files/QM_Standards_2011-2013.pdf

To learn more about QM and the Peer Review Process:
http://www.qmprogram.org/files/QM%20Overview%202011.pdf
http://www.qmprogram.org/files/Overview%20Notes%20Guide.pdf

Quality Delivery

Common misconceptions about online learning experiences include:

Online courses are like print-based courses … the only interactions are between the individual learner and the instructor.

Online courses are automated … once a course is designed, there is little or no need for instructor involvement.

To learn more about principles of effective online teaching ...

http://www.facultyfocus.com/free-reports/principles-of-effective-online-teaching-best-practices-in-distance-education/

Continuous Improvement

eLearning OHIO’s learning design team uses a variety of techniques and tools to engage in continuous improvement. Examples include mid- and end-of-course pulse checks with students and instructors.