Quality Matters (QM) is the premier worldwide organization that provides tools, course review processes,
and professional development supporting faculty and instructional designers in improving
the quality of online and blended (hybrid) education. QM provides research-based standards
of practice to guide course design and protocols for the course review process. With
over 1000 institutional members, QM is a leader in course quality assurance.
Missouri State is a QM institution which provides all of QM's tools, course review
processes, and professional development to our faculty.
The Rubric
The QM Higher Education Rubric is useful for guiding faculty and/or course designers
in the development of high-quality, research-based online courses. The rubric is comprised
of eight General Standards and 42 Essential Standards.
QM General Standards (QM, 2022):
Course Overview & Introduction
Learning Objectives (Competencies)
Assessment & Measurement
Instructional Materials
Learning Activities & Learner Interaction
Course Technology
Learner Support
Accessibility & Usability
The Rubric is supported by current online learning research (Quality Matters, 2022),
and is regularly reviewed and updated by a team of experienced instructors and instructional
designers to ensure the rubric criteria are aligned with best practices promoted by
accrediting bodies and national and interntional organizations (Quality Matters, 2022).
Quality Matters provides protocols and training for conducting rigorous course reviews.
Members have the option of submitting courses for an official QM course review leading
to a course being considered a QM-Certified Course. Learn more about the QM Review Process.
Official QM-certified courses are included in the QM-Certified Course Directory and
may be advertised as a QM-certified course.
Turn Good Courses into Great Ones with the QM Self-Review
Quality Matters provides objective, evidence-based methods for evaluating online education
that support a culture of continuous improvement. As one of the Strategic Plan Igniting Opportunity quality intitiatives, faculty can receive a $100 stipend for engaging with the QM
Self-Review tool to informally evaluate and further improve the quality of their online
course.
Step-By-Step Guide to Completing a QM Self Review
For an in-depth set of instructions complete with links to everything you'll need
during the process, view the step-by-step guide to completing a QM Self Review. These
instructions will guide you through every single step, from creating a MyQM account
to sharing your results with the FCTL and receiving your stipend.
Want to Learn More about QM and Receive Additional Money?
The first 75 faculty that complete a QM Self-Review and receive the $100 stipend are
eligible to receive an additional $250 stipend for participating in QM's Improving Your Online Course. You can register for this professional development when meeting with the FCTL Instructional
Designer. To be eligible, the FCTL requires the instructor record for teaching.
