Quality Assurance
The Faculty Senate approved the use of Quality Matters (QM), a well-respected, standards-based program, as the external framework for ensuring high-quality course design. QM incorporates best practices and research models, with specific standards and recommendations for learning objectives, assessments, activities, technology, accessibility, usability, learner support, and the initial learner experience. The LxD team utilizes the QM framework to develop and review courses with quality in mind. This approach involves collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure that all new and redeveloped courses meet high standards.
Thus, we aim to develop courses based on a quality framework that integrates Quality Matters, Backward Design, Equitable Design, and Universal Design for Learning and other standards and best practices for developing online and blended courses. Below are some of the focal points.
Course Design Standards
- Quality Matters: Use QM standards to ensure that courses are designed with best practices in mind.
- Backward Design: Use backward design principles to ensure that course design starts with clear learning objectives and works backward to develop assessments and activities.
- Equitable Design: Use equitable design principles to ensure that course design takes into account the diverse needs of all learners.
- Universal Design for Learning: Use UDL principles to ensure that course design provides multiple means of representation, action, and expression to support the needs of all learners.
Course Content and Delivery
- Course Content: Ensure that course content is accurate, up-to-date, and aligned with learning objectives.
- Delivery Method: Use a delivery method that is appropriate for the course content, learning objectives, and diverse needs of learners.
- Multimedia: Use multimedia to support learning objectives and ensure that all multimedia is accessible and engaging.
- Interaction: Provide opportunities for interaction and collaboration among learners and with instructors.
- Learner Support: Provide adequate support to learners throughout the course, including access to technical support and resources for academic and non-academic needs.
Assessment and Evaluation
- Assessment: Develop assessments that align with learning objectives, provide multiple formats, and are inclusive of diverse learners.
- Evaluation: Conduct ongoing evaluation of course content and delivery to ensure that courses meet best practices and standards.
Accessibility
- Accessibility: Ensure that all course materials and activities are accessible to learners with disabilities and provide alternative formats and accommodations as needed.
Instructor Support
- Training: Provide instructors with training and support to ensure that they are familiar with best practices and standards in course design.
- Feedback: Provide instructors with feedback on course design to support ongoing improvement.
These principles and standards can be used as a reference throughout the course development process to support ongoing improvement and ensure that courses are accessible, equitable, and inclusive to all learners.
