From 2009 through 2013, as part of a Title III grant, New River CTC developed an instructional design theory and distance learning technology training program for faculty. Instructors developed distance learning courses (either completely online, hybrid, or IVN), which were reviewed for effectiveness.
The review procedure for new courses was implemented using a rubric created from various sources pieced together. In the final year of the grant period, members of the grant administration team were asking: how are we going to continue to ensure course quality after the Title III grant concludes?
Quality Matters (QM), an international organization advocating for online course quality, was one of the chief sources used to create the original Title III course rubric. The Quality Matters process is designed to improve and certify online course content.
When the Title III grant ended in October 2013, Ralph Payne, Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, helped to form a QM committee, began QM-managed training of faculty members to become QM Peer Reviewers using the QM Course Review Management System, and developed a plan to internally review all online courses.
Assistant Professor Karen Carter-Harvey and Professor Shirley Davis also were instrumental in developing the QM committee and the internal review process.
During spring 2014, a pilot of the QM Internal Review System began by reviewing two courses (COSC-131 taught by Brian Testerman and ADOF 251 taught by Libby Rogers), both of which proved to be outstanding online courses and passed the review.
The immediate goal was to review six courses. Since the beginning of the fall 2015 term, Payne has successfully recruited and helped to enrolled 13 QM reviewers. By the end of the 2015-2016 term, he is hoping to have a total of 17 trained reviewers.
The Quality Matters program has provided a catalyst to ensure online courses at New River CTC are valuable and effective.