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Quality Matters

Waubonsee has partnered with Quality Matters to offer comprehensive professional development. Please see the QM Emergency Remote Instruction Checklist. QM also offers a rubric consisting of eight general standards to assist with online course quality:

  1. Course Overview and Introduction
  2. Learning Objectives
  3. Assessment and Measurement
  4. Instructional Materials
  5. Learning Activities and Learner Interaction
  6. Course Technology
  7. Learner Support
  8. Accessibility and Usability

The Higher Ed Rubric is intended for use with courses that are delivered fully online or have a significant online component (hybrid and blended courses). Course Designers use the Rubric to aid in the creation of courses designed to meet Standards from the outset. The Rubric is also used to assess the level to which a course meets Standards and highlight areas for improvement. A score of 85% (with Essential Standards being met) qualifies a course to receive a QM Certification for quality course design.

Learn more about Quality Matters on the QM website or see the following QM overviews:

Peer Review

As part of a Title V grant, all courses that contain an online component, including hybrid courses, are reviewed on a three year cycle. Courses included in the review cycle are typically designated with a section number > 900. Online and hybrid courses offered at Waubonsee are peer-reviewed by trained Faculty Peer Reviewers. There are 24 criteria for the Waubonsee Peer Review Rubric. Each is rated as 'Meets', 'Doesn't Meet', or 'N/A'. These criteria are divided into four categories: (1) Instructional Design, (2) Communication, Interaction, and Collaboration, (3) Student Evaluation and Assessment, and (4) Web Design.

Each Peer Reviewer can review up to five courses in the 2.5 month cycle per semester, one in each pay period. If a review assignment is not completed by the end of a period, it will automatically become the assignment for the following period.

When each peer review is completed, it is then passed on to a professional instructional designer for further review. Instructors then make appropriate changes in the course(s) based on the recommendations. At the end of the process, an instructional designer will confirm the course changes. Completing an internal peer review is the first step towards earning Quality Matters certification for a course.

Instructors who submit a proposal to develop a new Flex, Hybrid, Online or Sync Online course are required to complete instructional design training which may include 'Developing a Blueprint for a Successful Online/Hybrid Course' and relevant Quality Matters training(s) before or during course development. New courses are peer-reviewed before they are offered to students.

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Developing a Blueprint for a Successful Online/Hybrid Course

Typically, this introductory course for course design lasts about 7-8 weeks. The topic sequence is parallel to backward design. When instructors complete the course, they will be able to structure their classes using learning outcomes as the foundation. The 'blueprint' developed is contained in the syllabus. While taking this short course, instructors explore the challenges encountered in teaching. Developing a deeper understanding of student behaviors, they are able to present engaging pedagogical solutions. Instructors also become more familiar with the technologies available at the college.

Course Session Topic Format
Weeks 1-2 Principles of Course Design In-person (3 hours)
Week 3 Motivation Online
Week 4 Assessment Online
Week 5 Learning Activities Online
Week 6 (Submission of Syllabus and Critque) Online
Week 7 (Completion of Syllabus) Online
Week 8 Flexible Delivery In-person

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Title V Updates - Spring 2020