Quality Matters News
In This Issue
Quality Matters 2010 Conference
Network and Connect
Online Workshop Schedule
QM Announces New Team Members
QM Quick Facts
Quick Links


Issue: # 4
October 2009
Greetings!

Welcome to the 4th issue of the Quality Matters Newsletter.
In this issue, you'll find the latest information on QM's 2nd Annual Conference planned for Chicago, opportunities to network and connect with QM this fall, and a handy QM training and workshop schedule guide.


As part of updating communications with the QM online community,
find postings, announcements and breaking news of general interest on our Facebook page. Join our Quality Matters Group on Linkedin. Let's connect.
 
Sincerely, 
The Quality Matters Team
Save the Date: June 11 - June 13
Join Us for the Second Annual Quality Matters Conference In Chicago.

What:       The Quality Matters Second Annual Conference:
                  Improving Outcomes through Quality Standards
When:      June 11 - June 13, 2010
Where:     Chicago, Illinois
 
The Quality Matters Conference will be held at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Campus in Oakbrook, Illinois on June 11-June 13, 2010. Mark your calendar today and plan on joining us at one of the finest conference centers in the United States.
 
Registration details are coming soon. A call for papers will be issued shortly.

Our first conference was a great success with tons of useful content for the attendees and great networking opportunities for faculty and instructional designers.  Unfortunately, we were unable to accommodate all the demand.  So, we're moving to a larger facility in a beautiful retreat setting to have a bigger and even better meeting. 

This year, we'll focus on the positive outcomes of implementing QM for students, faculty, designers, institutions and other stakeholders.  We'll have reports from formal QM research projects, and we'll provide many opportunities for schools to tell their own stories and showcase their unique tools and QM-related programs.  The popular interest group roundtables will be expanded, and we'll allow time for longer individual presentations.

On the Pre-Conference day, June 11th, we will offer a variety of face-to-face QM workshops to meet the needs of those who come to learn more about QM as well as those of QM veterans who are eager to experience our latest products.  The workshops will be deeply discounted for conference attendees.

Who should consider coming?  This is a great opportunity for representatives from our subscribing schools and consortia.  Schools planning an expanded QM implementation should consider sending teams of faculty and staff.  There will be ample content also for individual attendees to bring back to their schools.  We are also encouraging non-subscribers to attend this year's conference, with a number of presentations designed to answer questions about QM.

Registration details will be circulated and posted on our website in several weeks.


Network and Connect With QM 
Autumn is an exciting time and QM is participating in several
e-learning conferences.
"Research" and "best practices" in quality assurance will be among the hot topics.  We wanted to let our friends and colleagues know about the conference schedule as we hope to see you. Be sure to say hello.

2009 Conference Schedule
Oct 22-24, WCET Conference, Denver
Oct 24-26, The Future of Online and Blended Learning, Vancouver
Oct 28-30, The Sloan-C Conference, Orlando


Online Workshop Schedule Guide

This Just In...Create Online Courses Designed to Meet Quality Matters Standards with a SoftChalk Webinar!

Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT

Diane Jackson, Training Manager, Quality Matters
Sharon Rifkin, District Director e-Learning Programs/Faculty, Broward College, Florida
Samita Ghoshal, Instructional Designer/Faculty, Lone Star College, Texas

Learn more and register at SoftChalk.


Upcoming QM Workshops 
All workshops are two weeks in length (unless otherwise noted), online, and asynchronous. For additional information and to register, visit QualityMatters.org and follow the calendar links found on the home page. Please contact Diane Jackson, djackson@qualitymatters.org, for information about face-to-face options.

Applying the QM Rubric (APP/PRC)
2009: October 20, November 3, November 17, December 1
2010: January 5, January 19, February 2, February 9, March 2, March 16, April 6, April 13, May 4, May 11, June 8, June 15, July 6, and July 20
 
Peer Reviewer's Certification (PRC)
2009: October 21, November 4, November 18, December 2, December 16
2010: January 6, January 20, February 3, February 10, March 3, March 17, April 7, April 14, May 5, May 12, June 9, June 16, July 7, July 21.
 
Build Your Online Course (BYOC)
2009: October 15, December 3
2010: February 11, April 15, June 10
 
Improving Your Online Course (IYOC)
2009: November 19
2010: January 21, March 18, May 20, July 15
 
Design that Welcomes Your Students (Standard 1)
2009: December 3
2010: February 4, April 8, June 3
 
Using Measurable Learning Objectives (Standard 2)
2009: November 12
2010: January 7, March 11, May 6
 
Choosing and Using Media Effectively (Standard 6)
2009: December 3
2010: February 18, April 22, June 17
 
Addressing Accessibility (Standard 8)
2009: November 5
2010: January 14, March 4, May 12, July 8
 
Master Reviewer Training (MRT)
2009: November 5
2010: March 18, June 17

QM Announces New Team Members

Julie Henn joined the staff several weeks ago as our new Support Services Manager. Julie is an accomplished project manager with twelve of years diverse experience in managing technology initiatives - primarily software engineering, deployment, and upgrades.

Grace Hall serves as Communications Manager for Quality Matters. Grace has over fifteen years of leadership experience in corporate, political and non-profit communications. She has experience in developing websites, producing TV and web shows, and specializes in print media.

 
QM Quick Facts
  • QM now has 365 subscribers.
  • Subscribing institutions are represented in 42 U.S. States, Canada, and Bermuda.
  • 68 online courses have received the QM Seal of Recognition in 2009.
  • More than 5,000 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, e-mail info@qualitymatters.org

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