Incorporating Quality MattersTM (QM) into online curricula: An overview

This University’s School of Nursing (SON) has been providing online nurse practitioner degree programs for 15 years. The growth of these programs and an ever-expanding faculty has led to an increased need for attention to consistency and quality in online course design. To address this need, and to provide faculty with a proven framework for online course design, the SON has adopted Quality Matters^TM(QM), a nationally recognized rubric and peer review process designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. The Quality Matters rubric includes eight general standards with specific criteria related to the course introduction, learning objectives, assessment, instructional materials, learner interaction and engagement, course technology, learner support and accessibility. Alignment among learning objectives, learning activities, instructional materials and assessments is a central tenet of the standards. In addition to providing an established process and systems for peer-review and continuous quality improvement, the rubric provides a comprehensive guide for faculty as the design or redesign their online courses.

As a QM subscriber, the SON has the ability to conduct official course reviews eligible for QM recognition. After completing required training, faculty can become peer reviewers and serve on review teams inside and outside of the institution. The SON has a QM implementation plan in process through which all of our online courses will be reviewed and certified over a three-year period, starting with the Doctor of Nursing Practice and core Master’s-level courses. Most of our faculty have completed the basic Applying the Quality Matters Rubric training course, and several have become certified peer reviewers. This presentation will share our plans, progress and experience in integrating QM throughout the NP curriculum. Participants will learn about the rubric standards, the review process and strategies for successful implementation of QM to promote quality within online NP curricula.