Quality Matters

To which course formats can QM Rubrics be applied?

QM defines course formats within the context of applying a QM Rubric during an official course review. Maintaining consistent definitions ensures that courses receiving QM Certification are reviewed in a replicable manner. The table below should serve as a guide for understanding how QM would categorize a course and whether a QM Rubric could be used to evaluate course quality. Please note that institutional definitions of course formats may differ from those described here.

DELIVERY MODE	DESCRIPTION	INSTRUCTION	APPLICATION OF QM RUBRIC
Online	76% or more of the content and instruction is provided in an asynchronous online format and is mediated by technology.	76% or more of the instruction occurs asynchronously online within a course site, typically hosted in a learning management system (LMS). HE: Few to no face-to-face or remote instruction meetings. K-12: Face-to-face or remote instruction meetings are typically limited to orientation or capstone events.	Online courses can become QM Certified using the respective QM Rubrics and the QM course review process.
Blended	Approximately 25-75% of the course takes place in a face-to-face (or online synchronous environment). Seat time is reduced proportionately to the percentage of the course delivered online.	The integration of both face-to-face and online activities occurs in a blended course. Portions of the course are mediated by technology. This includes lecture/instruction conducted synchronously and mediated by technology. Learners can gain an understanding of the overall structure and requirements of the course online.	The QM Rubric is applied to the online portion of the course. Face-to-face and synchronous components of the course are not directly reviewed. Only instructional materials, activities, support materials, etc., included or referenced in the online course are considered in the QM review.
Face-to-Face, Remote Learning and Web-Enhanced	100% of the course occurs in regularly scheduled synchronous sessions where learners meet in person at a campus location with their instructor on a regular basis or in a real-time setting mediated by technology. The course may include use of a learning management system and extensive internet-based reading/research assignments and online discussions.	The syllabus, readings, assignments, and grade book may be in the LMS; however, the course is conducted in regularly scheduled face-to-face meetings on campus or in a real-time setting mediated by technology.	While principles of the QM Rubric Standards can be applied to face-to-face, remote learning, and web-enhanced courses, due to the nature of the course review, it is not possible to have face-to-face, remote learning and web-enhanced courses QM Certified.

DELIVERY MODE

DESCRIPTION

INSTRUCTION

APPLICATION OF QM RUBRIC

Online

76% or more of the content and instruction is provided in an asynchronous online format and is mediated by technology.

76% or more of the instruction occurs asynchronously online within a course site, typically hosted in a learning management system (LMS).

HE: Few to no face-to-face or remote instruction meetings.

K-12: Face-to-face or remote instruction meetings are typically limited to orientation or capstone events.

Online courses can become QM Certified using the respective QM Rubrics and the QM course review process.

Blended

Approximately 25-75% of the course takes place in a face-to-face (or online synchronous environment). Seat time is reduced proportionately to the percentage of the course delivered online.

The integration of both face-to-face and online activities occurs in a blended course.

Portions of the course are mediated by technology. This includes lecture/instruction conducted synchronously and mediated by technology.

Learners can gain an understanding of the overall structure and requirements of the course online.

The QM Rubric is applied to the online portion of the course.

Face-to-face and synchronous components of the course are not directly reviewed.

Only instructional materials, activities, support materials, etc., included or referenced in the online course are considered in the QM review.

Face-to-Face, Remote Learning and Web-Enhanced

100% of the course occurs in regularly scheduled synchronous sessions where learners meet in person at a campus location with their instructor on a regular basis or in a real-time setting mediated by technology.

The course may include use of a learning management system and extensive internet-based reading/research assignments and online discussions.

The syllabus, readings, assignments, and grade book may be in the LMS; however, the course is conducted in regularly scheduled face-to-face meetings on campus or in a real-time setting mediated by technology.

While principles of the QM Rubric Standards can be applied to face-to-face, remote learning, and web-enhanced courses, due to the nature of the course review, it is not possible to have face-to-face, remote learning and web-enhanced courses QM Certified.