This past semester, several Reich College of Education (RCOE) faculty were recognized by Quality Matters through two initiatives supported by the Center for Academic Excellence. Quality Matters is a global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments.
Quality Matters Course Development Program
Two faculty members participated in the Quality Matters (QM) Course Development program and had their courses certified by Quality Matters:
- Jennifer Luetkemeyer, assistant professor for the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies, LIB 5070 Integrating Literature and Media into Instruction
- Debra Prykanowski, assistant professor for the Department of Reading Education and Special Education, SPE 5536 Nature of Autism
“The process of preparing my course for the QM review was intense and time-consuming; but it was ultimately beneficial in that it forced me to take a look at what my course design was communicating to students, and to examine whether or not I was communicating effectively,” said Luetkemeyer. “It also prompted me to think more deeply about how all of the activities and resources within the course connected to help students synthesize content and meet course objectives."
“The QM standards not only represent high quality online teaching, but high quality teaching in general,” said Prykanowski. “The course development process was a good reminder of how alignment between objectives, activities and assessments is essential for positive student outcomes.”
“The QM standards not only represent high quality online teaching, but high quality teaching in general,” said Prykanowski. “The course development process was a good reminder of how alignment between objectives, activities and assessments is essential for positive student outcomes.”
“The standards not only help set up a course that provides a clear roadmap for your online students on how to be successful, but they also serve as guidelines that ensure the course is accessible to all students, which I think is something that some instructors might not always consider,” continued Prykanowski. “Overall, I think the QM program has shaped how I will look at all of my future courses to ensure that I am providing high quality teaching both in the classroom and online.”
This certification is earned by meeting the standards in the QM rubric through an official course review by Quality Matters reviewers.
Teaching Online Certificate from Quality Matters
In addition, the Center for Academic Excellence selected faculty to participate in the Teaching Online Certificate from Quality Matters. The following RCOE faculty have completed this certificate:
- Chris Cook, professor for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Tracy Goodson-Espy, professor for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Susan Hedges, assistant professor for the Department of Reading Education and Special Education
- Ellie Hoffman, associate professor for the Department of Reading Education and Special Education
- Emory Maiden, adjunct instructor for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and instructional technology consultant for the Center for Academic Excellence
The Quality Matters Teaching Online Certificate (QM TOC) enables instructors to demonstrate their knowledge mastery of online teaching. Seven courses comprise the certificate program:
- Gauging Your Technology Skills
- Evaluating Your Course Design
- Exploring Your Institution's Policies
- Orienting Your Online Learners
- Connecting Learning Theories to Your Teaching Strategies
- Creating Presence in Your Online Course
- Assessing Your Learners
"The QM TOC allowed me not only to improve my online course offerings, but also to update my on-campus mathematics education courses to utilize best practices within the learning management system to provide resources to students, accept assignments, and provide feedback," said Goodson-Espy.
"Participating in the QM TOC has added a wider variety of options to my toolkit for increasing student-to-student and student-to-instructor interactivity in my online teaching," said Hedges.
"The coursework in the QM TOC is designed to have the faculty examine their course through the perspective of their learners,” noted Maiden. “This experience led me to make some changes in my course design that will benefit my students.”
Instructors who take the courses are provided with the background knowledge needed for teaching online. The workshops provided both current and potential online instructors with the experience of learning online from the student's perspective.
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