6.1 Course Recap

Congratulations on completing the five learning units of this course. You've been introduced to the Quality Matters framework, explored all 8 QM standards in depth, learned about the review process, understood how QM is being implemented at Saylor Academy, and delved deeply into the principle of alignment that underlies all of quality education.

Here's a quick recap of what we covered:

  • Unit 1: You learned that Quality Matters is a peer-reviewed, evidence-based framework with origins at Maryland Online. It emphasizes learner-centered design, alignment, accessibility, and pedagogical soundness. Saylor Academy is adopting QM to enhance credibility, ensure student success, and drive continuous improvement.
  • Unit 2: You explored all 8 QM General Standards: Learning Outcomes, Alignment, Instructional Materials, Learning Activities & Interaction, Course Technology, Learning Support, Accessibility, and Assessment & Evaluation. You learned that each standard is critical and that alignment (Standard 2) is foundational.
  • Unit 3: You understood the QM review process, from internal self-review through external peer review and certification. You learned that the rubric contains 43 criteria worth 100 points total, that 70+ is the certification threshold, and that certification is valid for 3 years.
  • Unit 4: You saw how Saylor Academy is systematically integrating QM into its operations through phased implementation: training, self-review, external certification, and ongoing maintenance. You understood the strategic benefits and challenges of this integration.
  • Unit 5: You engaged in a deep exploration of alignment—the central principle of Quality Matters—including how to evaluate and improve alignment in any course, with special attention to self-paced courses.

6.2 Revisiting the Learning Outcomes

Remember the learning outcomes from the Welcome section? Let's revisit them and consider how you've achieved them:

  1. Define Quality Matters and explain its role in online education quality assurance

    By now, you can articulate what QM is (a peer-reviewed rubric for online course quality), where it came from (Maryland Online, founded 1998), and why it matters (research-based, widely recognized, proven to improve learning outcomes).

  2. Identify and apply the 8 General Standards of the QM rubric to course design and review

    You've explored each of the 8 standards in Unit 2 and can now evaluate any course against these standards. You can use them as a design guide for new courses or a review guide for existing ones.

  3. Understand the QM review process and how certification works

    You understand the self-review, internal review, and external review stages. You know the scoring system (43 criteria, 100 points, 70+ for certification), the timeline, and what happens after certification.

  4. Apply QM principles to self-paced courses and asynchronous learning environments

    In Unit 5, you explored the specific challenges of self-paced courses and strategies for maintaining alignment and rigor. You understand how to design self-paced courses that are structured, clear, and supportive.

  5. Develop actionable strategies for implementing QM in institutional workflows

    Through Unit 4, you've seen Saylor's implementation strategy and can now envision how QM could be integrated into your own institution's processes (if you're an administrator or instructional leader).

Back to 'Unit 6: Summary and Next Steps\'