Quality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online courses and online components. Sponsored by MarylandOnline, Inc, Quality Matters has generated widespread interest and received national recognition for its peer-based approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement in online education. Originating from a FIPSE grant, Quality Matters is now a self-supporting organization offering institutional subscriptions and a range of fee-based services including Quality Matters-managed course reviews and an array of trainings.

Brief History

For several years, Ohio colleges and universities have been utilizing the QM Rubric to improve online courses in a variety of ways. To improve the ever growing number of distance courses and degrees offered by Ohio colleges and universities, interest in the Quality Matters rubric and resources occurred statewide. By late June, 2008, six institutions and OLN purchased subscription to QM, become a pilot Consortium to explore, learn standards, understand the course peer review process, and set goals for the future. Due to the deliberate and wise work of the pilot Consortium members, the information they shared, and the ability to purchase a Statewide System Subscription, 43 institutions joined the Ohio QM Consortium for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Ohio QM Consortium members (As of June, 2010)

Antioch University McGregor Ashland University Bowling Green State University Cedarville University Central Ohio Technical College Cincinnati Christian University Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Clark State Community College Cleveland State University College of Mount St. Joseph Columbus State Community College Cuyahoga Community College Edison Community College Hocking College James A. Rhodes State College Kent State University, Geauga Campus Kettering College of Medical Arts Lorain County Community College Mercy College of Northwest Ohio Miami University Mt Union College North Central State College

Notre Dame College of Ohio Ohio Learning Network Ohio Northern University Ohio State University Ohio University Owens Community College Shawnee State University Sinclair Community College Stark State College Union Institute and University University of Akron University of Cincinnati University of Dayton University of Northwestern Ohio University of Rio Grande & Rio Grande Community College Ursuline College Walsh University Washington State Community College Wright State University Youngstown State College Zane State College

An Ohio map of Consortium institutions

 

Info/Contacts for the Ohio QM Consortium

Become an Ohio QM Consortium Institutional Affiliate
Contact: Connie Molnar or Sheryl Hansen

Join the Ohio QM Quality Matters Online Community- everyone is welcome!
Join the Quality Matters list or View the Archives

Learn about the history, transformations and strategic imperatives
Contact Sheryl Hansen shansen@regents.state.oh.us - 614-728-8081

Contact Quality Matters directly info@qualitymatters.org

• Link to QM website
• Link to QM rubric
• Link to Research that supports use of QM researched based sources