Quality Matters at UNC Charlotte

Quality Matters

Quality Matters Program logoQuality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. QM is a leader in quality assurance for online education and has received national recognition for its peer-based approach and continuous improvement in online education and student learning.

There are many factors that affect course quality. QM reviews course design only – not delivery or faculty performance

Since 2010 the Distance Education Office and the Center for Teaching and Learning have been working together to provide faculty developers with a voluntary process for designing/developing their courses using this nationally recognized program.

There are three primary components in the Quality Matters Program:

  • The QM Rubric
  • The Course Review Process
  • QM Training and Support (Professional Development)

Benefits of Quality Matters

Benefits to faculty:

  • Provides a road map to follow during the process of course development
  • Support to redesign existing online courses to ensure the development and delivery of quality courses
  • Exposure to instructional design and ideas for improving online courses
  • Opportunity to be trained as a QM Peer Reviewer and Master Reviewer (see Steps to Become a Peer Reviewer)
  • Development of critical assessment skills for examining online courses and materials
  • Discounts through the UNC GA on ongoing professional development and national certification in teaching online/blended courses

Benefits to UNC Charlotte:

  • Improved student learning outcomes and retention in online courses
  • Alignment of course outcomes and learning objectives to the critical course resources and materials within the curriculum
  • National recognition for University courses that meet Quality Matters standards
  • Access to the QM Learning community for collaboration
  • Support for the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning
  • Increase in research opportunities through Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) programs