Conference Presentations

This will be an active discussion about the challenges of integrating the knowledge and experience we’ve gained in applying Quality Matters to course development more holistically and strategically to align with university strategic goals. Join, Valerie Kelly, AVP, Kent State Online, as she provides insights into the work being done to align online quality assurance planning with Kent State's commitment to a student-first approach. As universities adjust to new realities and challenges facing higher education, strategies, objectives, and tactics are being revised.

As recent research shows, implementing Quality Matters principles throughout an organization is a major change management exercise. It can be riddled with issues and institutional barriers.  At the same time, QM coordinators and others charged with leading the effort may not be trained as "change agents".  This session will give you tips to plan and implement at successful QM change initiative geared toward progression along the Continuum of Excellence in Quality Assurance or "CEQA."

Are you interested in approaches to quality assurance in online programs in higher education?

Are you unsure how QM professional development can help your institution achieve its quality assurance (QA) efforts? Would it be helpful to have faculty complete online, virtual, or face-to-face workshops? Do you want a QM Facilitator or someone from your institution to facilitate? Whether you are just getting started or have most faculty trained in the APPQMR, come learn from community members how QM professional development helped take their QA to the next level. 

Trying to determine what professional development (PD) opportunities best meet faculty and staff needs? This session can help! Join QM's Senior Manager of PD and a Dean of eLearning + QM Coordinator with a wealth of experience in this area as they guide you through: the different pathways available for QM professional development, how QM PD can aid your implementation journey and support your goals, and how to choose the right PD (at the right time) for your faculty and staff needs.

Accessibility of online courses is an important part of quality assurance. Federal laws require our courses to be accessible to people with disabilities. Often, the accessible features we implement in our online courses help all learners. Moreover, ensuring that content is accessible and making content accessible is the right thing to do! In this session, we will explore guidelines you can follow to ensure accessibility of course content and review the updated QM standards that support national guidelines.

There are many factors to consider when addressing resistance to quality assurance in online education. This session will identify some primary factors and strategies to consider when addressing quality assurance with faculty. In addition, the session will highlight personal experiences and how educational field-specific frameworks have assisted in addressing quality assurance resistance. We will also review what factors to consider when assisting faculty with course design, course reviews, and providing educational technology tool consultation.

In this session, you will learn how our institution utilizes the QM Self-Review tool option in preparation for QM-managed reviews.  The Online Course Development Program (OCDP) encourages and accelerates the development of quality online programs that align with our university's strategic priorities. The OCDP is offered three times a year and faculty participate as a cohort. Each cohort will work in the semester prior and develop online courses for the following semester. The estimated time commitment for the OCDP is roughly 60 hours a semester.

A well-known African proverb advises, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” As many online educators, administrators, and e-learning professionals can attest, the sentiments expressed in these statements aptly describe the relationship between synergy and success. Institution-wide collaboration for online quality matters! But what strategies are successful Quality Matters implementors incorporating to support academic and student support units while galvanizing the strength of institutional administrators? 

Research shows that creating institutional LMS templates embedded with quality standards are a direct aid to advancing QA implementation, and can improve consistency, clarity, ease of use, and even course completions. However, creating such a template can be time-consuming, especially if you're starting from scratch or unsure where to start. Additionally, faculty might erroneously feel that a template meant to support their design work impinges on academic freedom if campus messaging is not accurate, as well as being inclusive of faculty and student needs and concerns.

Are you the Quality Matters Coordinator (QMC) on the review team, but unsure about the true scope and impact of your role? Unlock the essence of being a QMC! Join our 11-year experienced QMC to learn how to excel in this vital role and amplify your impact. Find the keys to becoming a Certified Review Manager (CRM) and to enhancing the review process. Ideal for QMCs and those curious about review dynamics. Get inspired to unlock your potential as a QMC and excel in your role!