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Quality Matters

The Quality Matters™ (QM) project, sponsored by MarylandOnline, Inc. (MOL) developed a rubric to guide the development and revision of online courses and a peer-based approach to review and improve online courses. The QM rubric and process are based on national standards of best practice for distance learning, review of literature on online courses, and sound instructional design principles. Unique to the QM process is the faculty-driven, collegial review process and the emphasis on continuous quality improvement. The QM process is not an evaluation process; it is a collegial review process. As such, the course developer is a part of the review team and process.

Critical course components are reviewed according to the QM rubric by the review team.  The QM rubric is comprised of 40 standards assigned different point values based upon relative importance. 14 of the standards are considered essential in a quality online course. This is reflected by the highest point value (3) in the rubric. For a course to attain recognition, it must meet all of these essential standards and meet a percentage of the remaining standards. The remaining standards are assigned one or two points in the rubric. The QM process is designed so that a course does not need to perfect and meet all standards. Reviewers determine if the course meets 85% or more of the standards.

Typically, review teams consist of three reviewers. In the QM process, the course faculty developer is also considered a part of the review team. This collegial approach, with a high expectation for success, makes this low-threshold approach attractive for improvement of online courses. 

Additional Information: 

QM Standards TWU Style 

This page provide explanation about the TWU project and materials useful for all distance educators applying QM elements to their courses.

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