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, thirty-four institutions joined the Ohio QM Consortium for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Ohio QM Consortium members (As of July, 2009)

An Ohio map of Consortium institutions

CommunityWalk Map - Ohio Quality Matters Consortium

For More Info about Quality Matters and the Ohio QM Consortium:

• More info about Ohio's QM Consortium
• Link to QM website
• Achieving Quality Through Collaboration - The inagural Quality Matters Conference
• Link to QM rubric
• Link to Research that supports use of QM researched based sources
• Info about QM Subscription Options
• Contact info@qualitymatters.org for up-to-date information.