Quality Matters News Alert
The 2nd Annual QM Conference Announces Keynote Speaker
Participate in National Study of Student Perspectives of Quality Online Courses
Interested in Improving The Quality of Your Online Courses?

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Announcing the QM Conference Keynote Speaker
The Quality Matters Conference Keynote Speaker is Penny Ralston-Berg.  Her speech will answer the question: Do Quality Standards Matter to Students?  Ralston-Berg will offer a unique perspective on the Quality Matters Rubric and share the remarkable results of her expanding multi-institutional survey on the features students value in online courses. As the study is highly relevant for the QM community, Ralston-Berg invites QM subscribers to participate in her National Study of Students' Perceptions of Quality of Online Courses. For more information on this important study, go to http://www.personal.psu.edu/plr15/blogs/idea_spot/  The keynote speech will be given on Friday evening, June 11 following the opening banquet of the conference. The full program will be announced in a few weeks.

As an instructional designer for the Penn State World Campus, Ralston-Berg collaborates with faculty in the General Undergraduate Portfolio (GUP) online program in the design and development of e-learning resources. She explains that her primary research interests lie "in the integrated system of support needed to help learners succeed in the online environment." A further interest for Ralston-Berg "concerns provider needs in relation to online learners and how a provider might most effectively and efficiently serve a diverse population of online learners."
Improve the Quality of Your Online Courses

Are you interested in improving the quality of your online courses? March training courses are available but closing fast. Hurry as space is limited. This month's highlighted schedule of courses include:


Thursday, March 4, Standard 8: Addressing Accessibility Online Course.

Thursday, March 11, Standard 2: Measurable Learning Objectives Online Course.

Thursday, March 18, IYOC: Improving Your Online Course.


The online training schedule is available. Enrollment is limited and early registration is encouraged. Most online, facilitated workshops are two weeks in length, unless otherwise noted. For additional information and to register, visit Quality Matters Training. Contact Claire Pickart for information.