|
|
Greetings!
You have received this newsletter as either a current QM subscriber or participant in a QM workshop or QM-managed course review. Our goal is to provide you with the most up-to-date information about the QM program -- whether it's added benefits to your subscription, new professional development opportunities, or current events involving Quality Matters. It is our hope you find this informative and we encourage you to contact us if you wish to contribute to future issues or provide feedback about the QM Program.
Thank you in advance for your interest in QM!
Sincerely,
The Quality Matters Team |
|
Achieving Quality through Collaboration |
|
1st Annual QM Conference
It's not too late to register for or present at the annual QM Conference, "Achieving Quality through Collaboration", scheduled for June 7-9, 2009 at the Mt. Washington Conference Center in Baltimore, MD. This information-packed event will feature subscribers and collaborators who have been integral to the growth and sustainability of the Quality Matters Program. Conference highlights include: a pre-conference workshop conducted by Dr. Barbara Frey, University of Pittsburgh; keynote speaker Bruce Chaloux, Director of the Electronic Campus of the Southern Regional Education Board; and concurrent sessions that address key topics in quality assurance for distance education. Participants will also have an opportunity to attend poster sessions and join roundtable discussions with QM staff members, master reviewers, and workshop facilitators.
Register before April 1st and you will receive a $50 discount on the conference registration fee. All pre-conference activities are included. For more information, please contact Kristen Nunez at knunez@qualitymatters.org. |
| QM Implementation Plan |
|
| QM Recognition Expanded
Quality Matters is pleased to announce a new level of recognition for subscribers who have a long term commitment to implementing QM within their institutions. In order to qualify, the program or institution must submit a multi-year written plan for QM implementation and seek approval by the Quality Matters Academic Advisory Council (QMAAC). There is no cost to subscribers for this process or recognition.
|
| New QM Training Manager |
|
Welcome Diane!
With an eye on improving and expanding the QM professional development program, QM welcomes Diane Jackson to the role of Training Manager. Diane joins QM with more than twenty years experience in online program development and international teaching and brings a breadth of knowledge to the development and implementation of online products. Most recently with the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Diane was responsible for the development of online courses, virtual symposium, and user guides to support online publications. While there, she authored twelve professional development online courses that included Bridging Learning Theory in the Classroom, Differentiated Instruction: Learning More, and Professional Development: Creating and Evaluating Effective Programs.
Prior to joining ASCD, Diane served as an International Educator with schools in Saudi Arabia, Southern Africa, and Sri Lanka. Although she wore many hats during her tenure at each school, her primary area of responsibility centered on teaching and developing Information Technology programs.
Diane holds an M.A. in Education from the University of Wisconsin with doctorate work begun at Capella University. You may contact Diane at djackson@qualitymatters.org. |
| QM in Portland! |
|
| ITC eLearning 2009 ~ Portland, Oregon
From February 20 to February 24, Deb Adair, QM Director; Mary Wells, QM Trainer; Kristen Nunez, Communication Manager; and Teri Kepner, Support Services Manager, participated in the ITC eLearning Conference by sponsoring an exhibit booth and hosting a hospitality suite. Deb and Mary, along with Jean Runyon, QM Trainer and Dean of the Virtual Campus at Anne Arundel Community College, conducted two pre-conference workshops addressing use of the Quality Matters rubric as a quality assurance tool in distance education.
During the conference events, many QM subscribers expressed their enthusiasm about the impact of QM on their institutions and about developing long-term plans to ensure their online and hybrid courses meet the standards set forth by QM. The conference also gave QM staff the opportunity to network with a number of representatives from non-subscribing institutions who are interested in either participating in a QM workshop or joining as a subscriber. Deb and Mary attended several conference sessions and learned about tools and processes that can be integrated into the QM program to enhance subscriber benefits.
We extend our kudos to the ITC conference committee for a well-organized and informative event! |
| Professional Development Opportunities |
|
Upcoming QM Workshops
All workshops are two weeks in length (unless otherwise noted), online, and asynchronous. For additional information and to register, visit our web site www.QualityMatters.org and follow the calendar links found on the home page. Please contact Teri Kepner, tkepner@qualitymatters.org, for information about face-to-face options.
|
| Research Grants Available |
|
|
Quality Matters invites interested distance learning professionals to apply for small grants to fund action-based research projects that document the impact of the QM rubric, training, or peer review process on student learning outcomes.
|
| QM Quick Facts |
|
- QM now has 300 subscribers.
- Subscribing institutions are represented in 40 U.S. states, Canada, and Bermuda.
- 28 online courses have received the QM Seal of Recognition in 2009.
- More than 4,000 institutional faculty and staff have been trained by QM.
| |
If you would like more information about QM subscription options, QM-managed course reviews, or professional development workshops, please contact info@qualitymatters.org or call 1.866.851.4984.
Sincerely,
Kristen Nunez
Communication Manager Quality Matters |
|
|
