Last revised 8/7/2024 by DTM.
Overview
This article provides information about Quality Matters and how to get started with using the rubric.
What is Quality Matters?
Quality Matters (QM) is a continuous improvement model for assuring quality of online and hybrid courses through a peer review process. There are three main components of Quality Matters:
- QM Rubric,
- Peer Review Process, and
- QM Professional Development.
The University of Connecticut is a subscribing institution. UConn faculty/staff may create a QM account to access QM tools and other member benefits.
Quality Matters Rubric
The QM Rubric is a set of standards for the design of online and hybrid courses based on national standards of best practice, the research literature, and instructional design principles. The seventh edition of the QM Rubric consists of eight General Standards:
- Course Overview and Introduction
- Learning Objectives (Competencies)
- Assessment and Measurement
- Instructional Materials
- Learning Activities and Learner Interaction
- Course Technology
- Learner Support
- Accessibility and Usability
Within each general standard there are Specific Review Standards that have assigned point values ranging from one to three points for a maximum possible total of 101 points. All three-point items are Essential Standards. A standard is considered “met,” when the course must meets the standard at an 85% threshold.
To meet QM expectations, a course must:
- Meet all the Essential Standards AND
- Achieve a total overall score of 86 out of 101 points.
A one-page PDF listing the QM standards is available on the Quality Matters website (may require QM account). The QM Rubric Workbook contains detailed annotations that explain the application of the standards and the relationship among them. UConn faculty may request a copy of the QM Rubric Workbook by contacting eCampus.
Peer Review Process
There are three types of QM reviews: Official, Internal, and Self-Reviews.
Official Reviews
Official reviews lead to QM Certification when a course meets QM expectations. Official Reviews may be contracted on a course-by-course basis. The review team consists of:
- At least one reviewer who is external to the organization submitting the course,
- At least one reviewer who is a Subject Matter Expert (SME), and
- A Team Chair who is a QM Master Reviewer.
Courses that undergo an Official QM review and meet or exceed the expectations will receive QM Certification which is valid for five years (unless significant changes are made to the course).
Internal Reviews
Internal reviews are unofficial reviews and are managed by the member institution. An internal review evaluates a course against all Specific Review Standards in the Higher Education Rubric. This type of review is not eligible for QM Certification.
Self-Reviews
Self-reviews allow individuals to privately evaluate a course against the Specific Review Standards. They may be conducted using QM’s online Course Review Management System (CRMS), which is available to the UConn community (requires QM account). Refer to Performing a Quality Matters Self-Review for more information.
QM Professional Development
Quality Matters offers professional development workshops and courses leading to certification as Peer Reviewers, Master Reviewers and Certified Trainers. These opportunities are offered in both face-to-face and online formats.
eCampus provides professional development funds for faculty who are designing, developing, and supporting credit bearing academic programs. Interested faculty can enroll in up to three workshops in an academic year and eCampus will cover the cost. Interested faculty should create an account, register for the workshop(s), and select “Invoice” as the payment method. eCampus also fully supports faculty interested in becoming certified reviewers; contact eCampus for more information. Though eCampus does not have funds for non-faculty to engage in QM professional development, interested employees and departments may take advantage of the subscriber rate.