Standards In Practice: NSQ Online Programs

An item from this “national standards” initiative.

Standard Highlight:  Online Programs Standard L: Faculty and Staff Support L1:   The program provides and encourages participation in induction and mentoring programs. L2:  Teachers are provided regular feedback regarding their performance and student achievement/progress. L3:  The program provides a wide variety of professional development opportunities to faculty and staff, which are aligned to the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching. L4:  The program provides professional development opportunities to guide staff focused on student needs unique to online learning and the network of services available to support online learning. Download PDF Short description:   Teacher evaluation and professional development, when done effectively, should support each other. The evaluation process identifies areas in which the teacher can grow, and professional development provides an opportunity for the teacher to grow. The evaluation process then gives the teacher additional feedback to guide their growth and their continued growth in the profession. Using both together well can help you avoid your next performance review from becoming an Awkward Performance Review. In This Issue: Access the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) resource to learn more about how IDLA structures professional development to help provide both required and individualized professional development opportunities to teachers. Helpful Hints for putting standard into practice Align teams. If Supervision and Professional Development responsibilities lie with different team members, connect teams and team members as much as possible. The evaluation and professional development cycle is ongoing and regular. Consistent communication will ensure each team is informing the other so they can support the needs of their teachers. Create the cycle. Empower principals to use individual professional learning plans within the annual teacher evaluation cycle. Consider building a calendar for regular check-ins between principal and teacher for conversations reviewing progress toward the teacher’s annual growth goal. Resources! Utilize veteran teachers and principals in a coaching role, if possible. Provide both teachers and principals with the resources (people, information, and learning opportunities) they need in order to meet their specific goals. Create a culture of growth. Teachers working in an environment where evaluation is a hammer will not feel safe working with their principal to identify areas of growth. Teacher and principal conversations need to be a safe space where teachers can be open about their needs without fear of being penalized on their next evaluation. Align to standards. Align both teacher evaluation instruments and organization PD opportunities to the NSQ Standards. Conduct annual review of evaluation to determine possible gaps within professional development in the organization. The alignment to standards ensures the conversation, both with evaluation and PD, is in the same language. Choice. Provide teachers an opportunity to target specific professional growth needs as part of their annual professional development. Resources to support standard use Framework for <Remote> Teaching – Self-Assessment & Reflection Tool Opportunities to self-reflect, before and after performance evaluation, can lead to deeper professional growth. Consider providing a self-assessment or reflection tool such as this one to guide teachers in this process. Acing Your Observation  Change the teacher observation process from a dreaded song and dance to a cyclical conversation in which the teacher takes part. The Effect of Teacher Coaching on Instruction and Achievement: A Meta-Analysis of the Causal Evidence Research shows that effective instructional coaching produces a positive impact both upon teacher instruction and student achievement. Getting Started with Peer Observation Value can come to both the observer and the observed in a peer-observation process. Consider partnering teachers in a peer-observation format to help teachers support each other in their professional growth. Author/Organization Bio  Jeff Simmons is the Director of Supervision and Instruction for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA). Jeff holds an MA in Education Leadership from the University of Idaho, and a BA in Social Studies and English Education from Northwest Nazarene University. Jeff has worked in public education since 2001 and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Idaho. Erin McCracken serves as the Professional Development Lead at Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA). She has a MA in Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix and a BA in Communication from Boise State University. Check out the NSQ Professional Learning Portal and NSQ Website for more resources at www.NSQOL.org Copyright © *2021* *National Standards for Quality Online Learning Project*, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: *NSQOL.org*

National Standards for Quality Online Learning · 6024 Deer Trace Ct · Dunlap, IL 61525-9662 · USA

A Rare Professional Development Opportunity and More HE News!

While this newsletter is higher education focused, it may be of some interest to some readers.

View this email in your browser

Higher Education News January 2022

Moving Beyond Course Design in 2022 In education, change is upon us, and guidance provided by institutional quality assurance efforts is more important than ever. But, as QM’s Executive Director Dr. Deb Adair explains, that means moving beyond a singular focus on course design. As important as it is, course design is not enough to ensure a quality learning experience for all students. It’s time to look more holistically at the learning experience we create for online students to ensure it is mission-aligned and meets student, course, program, and institutional goals. Learn more >> You’re Invited! February 17, 2022 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET Register Now Delve into the latest online learning research at the QM Research Online Conference — February 17 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Join leading experts in the field to find out what the research says about key topics, including: Synchronous Learning Voice & Choice QM Implementation Design Structure And More! Each session will include a handout to help you engage with and apply the research-based strategies shared by the presenters. Participants will also have access to all of the session recordings for 30 days. Registration is only $25 per person — register today. Making Visuals Accessible Did you know that 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual? That’s why visuals are important in your courses: to help students make sense of content and to reinforce what they are learning. But make sure the visuals you use are accessible for all of your students by adding alternative text that is concise but descriptive. Visit the community-sourced “Visuals for Course Design” web page for more accessibility guidelines. A Rare Professional Development Opportunity Mark your calendars now for this spring’s QM Live! public sessions. In April, we will be offering five workshops from our QM Live! series for all who are interested. Typically, these workshops are available only as dedicated sessions for groups of 10 or more. Topics include: Active Learning Strategies Rethinking Assessments for Application & Engagement Developing Activities to Engage Learners  Select the “QM Live!” tab on the schedule page to view all available workshops and register! Each workshop is only $75 for members. Congratulations! Please join us in congratulating the following Higher Education, Publisher and Continuing & Professional Education members for having one or more courses QM Certified recently: Austin Community College District California State University- East Bay California State University-Sacramento Cameron University Cape Fear Community College Central New Mexico Community College Century College (MN) Clarkson University Clayton State University Columbia Southern University Columbus State University CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Florida Atlantic University Florida International University Galen College of Nursing-Louisville Georgia Highlands College Heartland Community College IDEA Public Schools Illinois Eastern Community College-System Office Indiana University-Southeast (ISC)2 Joliet Junior College Laredo College New Mexico State University-Alamogordo North Park University Otero Junior College Pepperdine Graziadio Business School (PGBS) Pitt Community College Polk State College Region 4 Education Service Center Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Sinclair Community College Southern Arkansas University Tech Texas A & M International University The University of Texas at Arlington Treasure Valley Community College Troy University Umm Al-Qura University Universidad UTEL University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Illinois at Chicago University of Maryland, Baltimore County University of Southern Indiana University of Toledo University of West Georgia University of Wisconsin-Parkside Western Kentucky University View More QM-Certified Courses >> Welcome New Members Aldar Education Education Service Center-Region 12 Flagler College International Academy of Science Mississippi Valley State University Missouri Valley College National University of Natural Medicine Oklahoma City Community College Pedagogy Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Universidad Diego Portales Learn More About QM Membership >>

Put your thinking cap on! It’s time to decide what innovative idea, unique experience or insightful research you will share at the 2022 QM Connect Conference! The call for proposals opens February 7! Tweet Share Forward Share Copyright © 2022 Quality Matters, All rights reserved. Our email marketing is permission-based. If you received a mailing from us, our records indicate that (a) you have expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future (“opt-in”), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings.Our mailing address is: Quality Matters 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401

Learn more about the NSQOL at DLAC 2022 in February!

An item from the national standards folks and the up-coming digital learning conference.

NSQ is making a splash at #DLAC22! Feb 1 (online) Feb 7-9 (online and onsite in Atlanta) Dear Michael Join us to learn more about the standards in one of these exciting sessions being held in Atlanta, or join us online to learn more about how digital learning can serve your school or district. Sessions at DLAC in Atlanta include: NSQ in View: Making the National Standards for Quality Online Learning Work for You Following a year where districts were launched into remote learning or moved to online courses, the online learning community understands the importance of ensuring quality opportunities exist for all. We’ll discuss challenges to the standards implementation, and share use cases from the field. Leave with an action plan for applying the revised standards to your online courses, teaching, and programs! Presented sessions: The National Standards for Quality Online Programs The National Standards for Quality Online Teaching  Check out the research supported standards and indicators, and learn about the process used to revise the most recent edition. Join us to discuss and learn more about how these openly licensed standards can be utilized to help evaluate and improve online programs. Community conversations: The National Standards for Quality Online Courses The National Standards for Quality Online Programs The National Standards for Quality Online Teaching These three separate sessions will dig deeper into quality for online courses, programs, and teaching in a conversation format, with participants discussing their implementations. Presenters for the above sessions include:  Cynthia Hamblin – Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance Christine Voelker – Quality Matters Allison Powell – Digital Learning Collaborative Can’t join us in person in Atlanta? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.  DLAC Online is offering three online tracks for teachers, blended teachers, and programs. One, Two, Three…Go NSQOL! Do you want the quick version of what are the National Standards for Quality Online Learning? Attend this talk and find out the “411” on the three sets of national standards for quality online teaching, programs, and courses. Leave with starter ideas on how to apply the NSQOL to your local online opportunities for students. Putting the National Standards for Quality Online Learning to Practical Use You’re familiar with the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQOL) and now you want to know what are practical applications of the standards for your school or organization. Let’s have a table talk about ideas currently in practice. Be ready to bring your questions of “how do we?”  Share your examples of the standards in practice. What’s working? What challenges remain? Check out the full program at: https://www.deelac.com/2022-program Do you still need to Register? The price of registration goes up at the EOD today: January 14, 2022, but we are extending the lower price for those who have expressed interest in the Quality Standards. Email us at DLAC@evergreenedgroup.com   Contact Us Copyright © 2022 *National Standards for Quality Online Learning*, All rights reserved.

National Standards for Quality Online Learning · 6024 Deer Trace Ct · Dunlap, IL 61525-9662 · USA

2021’s Most Popular Resources

An item from QM that came just before the holiday greetings began.

Tips & Tools for You to Use and Share

Throughout the year, we — along with members of our amazing community — share resources to help all of us deliver on our online promise. Here are some of the most popular items from 2021: Videos Ensuring Equity in Middle and High School Online Learning Environments Lessons Learned: Starting Up an Elementary Online Learning Program Plan, Design, Deliver! Redesigning Assessments for Interaction & Engagement QM-Hosted Research Webinar Recordings QM Success Stories (members only), including “Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes: The True Impact of Digital Accessibility“ Articles Dr. Steven Crawford’s series on multimedia use in online learning — start with “Designing Multimedia Presentations for Your Course” Use Infographics to Boost Engagement Open Educational Resources Use Humor to Improve Student Learning Create Active Learning with Timelines Timely Tips Accessible Videos Accessible Table Introduction Videos Assessment Rubrics Choice Boards And More! QM Bridge to Quality Course Design Guide — printable PDF version Accessibility and Usability Resource Site QM Self-Review Tool (members only) QM Digital Accessibility White Paper Series

Tap into even more resources by becoming a QM member! Membership provides access to the fully annotated Rubric, custom review tools, member-only webinars, including the January QMSS — Prioritizing SEL in an Online Environment, discounts on professional development, and more! Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review Criteria in a rigorous review process.

View this email in your browser Forward to a friendCopyright © 2021 Quality Matters, All rights reserved. Our email marketing is permission-based. If you received a mailing from us, our records indicate that (a) you have expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future (“opt-in”), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings. Our mailing address is: Quality Matters 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401

From us to you: Thank you!

More seasons greetings.

Despite ongoing challenges, you have not wavered from your commitment to delivering on your online promise. In 2021, you engaged, shared, connected, and more — all to provide your students with the online experiences they need to succeed. Today — and always— we celebrate you and all that you do! Thank you. Best wishes to you and yours from everyone at Quality Matters!

Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review criteria in a rigorous review process.

View this email in your browser Copyright © 2021 Quality Matters, All rights reserved. Our email marketing is permission-based. If you received a mailing from us, our records indicate that (a) you have expressly shared this address for the purpose of receiving information in the future (“opt-in”), or (b) you have registered or purchased or otherwise have an existing relationship with us. We respect your time and attention by controlling the frequency of our mailings. Our mailing address is: Quality Matters 1997 Annapolis Exchange Parkway Suite 300 Annapolis, MD 21401