Concentrations

• Research/Tracking Quality Assurance

  Demonstrate the role that Quality Matters (QM) plays in your commitment to excellence for learners. Proposals in this concentration should focus on research related to — or tracking of — your efforts to achieve quality assurance goals through the use of QM, including:

  • Analysis of QM implementation results as part of the organization’s quality assurance efforts in terms of achieving outcomes for learners, instructors, and the institution.

    • Implementation could include QM or Subscriber-Managed Course Reviews, Program Reviews, QM Professional Development, or the use of the QM Rubric in course development.

    • Outcomes could include improved learning and persistence for students and improved course quality and experience for instructors and instructional designers.

  • Discussion of institutional Quality Matters/quality assurance evolution and the evidence from initiatives that facilitated that evolution.
  • Assessment of the quality of alternative learning initiatives related to their use and data/observations on it.
  • Discussion of institution planning stages and phases for preparing for QM Program Review.

   

  Proposals should include how attendees can use the methods or processes discussed to determine the impact of quality assurance programs, including QM, and make data-driven decisions to improve the impact of quality assurance efforts at their own institutions. Proposals based on formal research, including a research question, theoretical framework, and methodology are welcome.

   

• Sustaining Quality

  Delivering on your online promise is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing process. Proposals in this concentration should focus not only on how Quality Matters was initiated at your institution or organization but also on what is being done to make it sustainable and how this initiative aligns with your institution's quality assurance goals for student learning. Share how you are doing one or more of the following:

  • Launching and initiating QM/QA
  • Sustaining QM/QA
  • Creating a culture of QA through course reviews
  • Navigating evolving QA environments

  • Rejuvenating existing QA programs
  • Planting seeds of growth
  • Sustaining momentum in K-12
• Quality Assurance: Theory to Practice

  Continuous improvement is a vital part of the quality assurance process. Proposals in this concentration should focus on ways your institution or organization addresses continuous improvement and how those efforts translate into improved learning experiences. Ideas include:

  • Using QM to achieve QA
  • Alignment strategies
  • Assessment strategies

  • Mapping alignment in courses and curricula
  • Improving course accessibility and usability
  • K-12 course and curricula design
• Leading Quality Assurance

  A commitment to quality assurance takes strong leadership. That can take many forms with different stakeholders playing a role in guiding your commitment to excellence for learners, including instructional designers, faculty and administrators. This concentration explores various facets of leading change by setting expectations for quality assurance. Tell us about the ways your institution or organization is addressing the issue, including:

  • Faculty QA leadership models (mentoring programs, Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs), Communities of Practice [CoPs], Leading from the Middle)
  • Institutional QA leadership
  • Diversity of QA services and applications

  • Cultivating QA trust and safe spaces to explore continuous improvement
  • QA professional learning program design
  • Leadership challenges in K-12
• Engagement Strategies for Learners

  Putting quality assurance into action involves creating engaging learning environments. Proposals in this concentration should address how to create excellence for learners through engagement with educational materials, the instructor and each other. Share your practical approaches to:

  • Assessment and course design
  • Providing effective feedback
  • Accessibility and inclusion, UDL
  • Competency-based design, adaptive learning

  • Connecting teachers and students
  • Using social networking to support QA
  • Active learning in online courses
• Engagement Strategies for Faculty

  Connecting and collaborating are key elements of engagement. Proposals in this concentration should focus on encouraging faculty to actively participate in quality assurance initiatives and deliver on their commitment to provide an outstanding learning experience. Share your innovative ideas and best practices about:

  • Professional learning opportunities, Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) and Communities of Practice (CoPs) 
  • Raising awareness and eliciting buy-in
  • Encouraging instructor and teacher participation
  • Celebrating QA achievements and contributions
• Engagement Strategies for Administrators and Institutions

  An active and sustainable quality assurance plan must involve individuals at all levels of an institution or organization. Proposals in this concentration should focus on how a culture of quality is being created where you work and how, as a team, your institution is putting learners first. Bring your fresh ideas related to:

  • Buy-in and support, accreditation, raising awareness
  • Creating a culture of QA collaboration
  • Recognizing QA intersections and benefiting from QA collisions
  • Marketing strategies
  • Implementation and other tactical challenges for K-12

Presentation Formats

• Conversation that Matters
• Active Learning
• Panel
• Quality Talk
• Poster
• Group Session