Deb Adair, Chief Executive Officer, Quality Matters
“Today's learners are sophisticated consumers of digital education, actively seeking programs that demonstrate commitment to quality through intentional design, engaging delivery, and measurable outcomes.”
As we begin the new year, we find ourselves at an exciting inflection point in digital education. The question is no longer whether online learning works – that debate has been definitively settled (except by those who refuse to see). Online education has proven itself not just viable but vital, with millions of learners choosing digital pathways to achieve their educational goals. For post-secondary education, we see this reality reflected each year in the CHLOE project surveys. The conversation today has evolved to focus on how institutions can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive landscape through exceptional quality and student experience.
This shift from proving viability to enhancing marketability represents a maturation of our field. Today's learners are sophisticated consumers of digital education, actively seeking programs that demonstrate commitment to quality through intentional design, engaging delivery and measurable outcomes. They understand that not all online programs are created equal, and they're making informed choices about where to invest their time and resources. It’s not about marketing spend — it’s about quality.
The evidence is clear: institutions that embrace quality practices in their online offerings see improved student satisfaction and learning outcomes, stronger retention rates, and enhanced program reputation. These aren't just metrics — they're powerful market differentiators that help institutions stand out in a crowded educational landscape. Quality has become a key driver of program success and sustainability.
At Quality Matters, we're evolving our approach to support this reality as we recognize this is a time of transformation and change for educators and institutions. Enrollment patterns, demand for skills-based learning, technology tools (hello AI), and even students themselves are changing in ways that present both opportunities and challenges. As our community works to respond, their priorities and focus are changing. We see this, and will respond with pathways that recognize varying needs and resources, while maintaining our commitment to advancing quality in digital education. Of course, we continue to support members to implement quality assurance practices with review tools, certification and recognition; however, we will also make it easier for institutions to practically improve quality and enhance the marketability of their online offerings.
Key realities we are responding to apply to institutions at an early stage in the development of their online offerings as well as more mature online providers who need to increase efficiencies as they improve quality.
These realities include:
- Faculty, teachers and instructional designers are now asked to do more with less. We will help with more direct support for educators, increasing their self-sufficiency in creating and teaching engaging, well-designed courses that meet learner expectations.
- Budgets are strained and institutions are responding by reducing investments in programs and people. We are creating more flexible, cost-effective options that reduce the institutional labor required to demonstrate their commitment to quality while building internal capacity.
- Time and attention has been redirected to address new curricular needs and the many implications of artificial intelligence. We will respond with streamlined processes that help institutions quickly implement basic quality practices and respond to market demands.
- Legislative and public concerns about our education system are increasing the demand for accountability. We can provide reporting tools that demonstrate the impact of quality initiatives to stakeholders and prospective students.
- Institutions often struggle to execute new strategies to begin offering online programs because it requires different expertise and perspective. We can offer direction through readiness audits to help institutions move forward effectively and with quality.
For instructional designers, these changes mean more efficient workflows and better tools to support faculty in creating market-ready courses. For educators, it means direct access to professional development resources and job aids that enhance their teaching effectiveness and student satisfaction. For institutions, it offers multiple pathways to differentiate their programs through demonstrated commitment to quality.
The market demand for quality online education continues to grow, driven by learners who expect flexibility without compromising on educational excellence. By focusing on supporting educators and providing flexible pathways to quality, we're helping institutions meet this demand while building sustainable, competitive programs for the future.
As we look ahead to 2025, I'm excited about the opportunities before us. The strength of online education lies not just in its proven effectiveness, but in its ability to continuously evolve and improve through intentional quality practices. By making these practices more accessible and achievable, we're helping institutions transform market challenges into opportunities for distinction.
Quality has never been more important to program success, and together, we'll continue to advance excellence in digital education — not just because it matters, but because it creates real value for institutions and learners alike.
