Don’t Miss Quality in Action…or the Chance to Save!

Note this up-coming professional learning event.

Learn From and With Your Peers Register for Quality in Action Today In just 16 days, the higher ed community will come together at the Quality in Action online conference to discuss the key topics impacting online teaching and course design today. The curated selection of sessions will provide you with actionable ideas you can implement immediately to make a difference for yourself and your students: 5 Steps for Incorporating Assessment that Supports Teaching and Learning Managing the Online Workload Universal Design: Creating Inclusive Hybrid and Online Learning Environments Other highlights include: Pre-conference workshops to provide additional hands-on, practical experience Sharon Goldstein’s keynote on the “Feeling of Balance” Networking opportunities in Gatherly Don’t miss the opportunity to interact and learn with your peers. Register for Quality in Action before the rate increases on March 27. Additional fees apply for the workshops. April 8: Workshops April 9: Sessions 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern (convert time zone) As presenter Dr. Melony Shemberger explains, the Quality in Action conference is about educators helping other educators. “I cannot think of any better opportunity for educators right now than the new Quality in Action conference. Instructors and instructional designers have served on the front lines of course creation and delivery — all for their students. This conference will provide ideas to strengthen their skill sets. Not only am I excited to present, but I am eager to hear what other faculty have to share in their sessions. It’s all about helping each other — the true spirit central to education.” Register Now

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NSQ: Gathering Feedback From Our Community of Users

Note this opportunity to provide feedback.

The National Standards for Quality (NSQ) provide the K-12 community with an updated set of openly licensed standards (formerly iNACOL standards) to help evaluate and improve online courses, online teaching, and online programs. Dear Michael The NSQ Leadership Team is in the process of gathering feedback from NSQ users as we make decisions about future updates to the National Standards for Quality Online Programs and the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching.  As a user of the National Standards for Quality Online Learning, we welcome your input as part of this community effort. A brief survey has been created in order to capture user feedback so that it can be considered. The survey will ask you to identify indicators within the standards for which you would like to provide a comment (i.e., suggest a change to the wording, identify concepts or ideas you feel are missing from this standard.) We request that you suggest specific recommendations for revision along with your feedback. Your comments will help us as we work to prioritize our scheduled revisions- therefore we will be asking you about the timeliness of any suggested revisions. Please submit your feedback by April 16, 2021. There are two surveys, one for the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching and another for the National Standards for Quality Online Programs. Feel free to complete one or both. NSQ Online Programs Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/79CKC2L NSQ Online Teaching Survey link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VPQC6W8 Please feel free to share the survey links with other colleagues using the NSQ Online Learning.   Thank you for your ongoing support! Cindy Hamblin (chamblin@k12vls.org) and Christine Voelker (cvoelker@qualitymatters.org)  NSQ Project Managers     Contact Us

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Michael, We Know You’re Making A Difference

Note these awards from QM that may be of interest to readers.

It’s Time to Be Recognized for Your Hard Work Nominations are now open for the 2021 “Making a Difference for Students” QM Awards. Each year, the QM community celebrates individuals and institutions that make a difference in the lives of their students. The awards are a chance to illuminate successes and share best practices with fellow QM members. Nominations are open in four categories: Outstanding Impact by an Individual in Higher Education Outstanding Impact by a U.S. Higher Education Organization NEW — Outstanding Impact by a Non-U.S. Higher Education Organization Outstanding Impact by a K–12 Individual or Organization So who do you know that’s putting learners first and making a difference in online education? Nominate them — or yourself — today! Here’s how: Review awards submission criteria Download and complete the nomination form Upload your submission by May 15, 2021 Nominations are also open for the Ron Legon Leadership Award. This prestigious award recognizes visionary, innovative leaders who have significantly impacted online education quality assurance policy or practice in higher education, K–12, publishing, or continuing education. See the award criteria and submit a nomination by May 15. Ready to take the next step? Get more details on the awards and how to submit a nomination. Or contact us if you need further help. Winners will be announced at the 2021 QM Connect LX Online Conference! Virtual Arkansas, 2020 Outstanding Impact by a K–12 Individual or Organization Winner “The [award] from Quality Matters is really such a tremendous honor. It speaks directly to our teachers and staff members who work so hard to meet our core values, our mission, our vision, particularly quality in all that we do .” —  John Ashworth, Director of Virtual Arkansas See all 2020 winners to learn more about the award-winning work they are doing. Why submit for a QM award? Gain recognition for your hard work and commitment to quality — you deserve it Bring more credibility to the investment you’ve made in quality assurance and gain greater buy-in Help other educators see why this work is so important and motivate them to take action Share Tweet Forward

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Look at Everything You’ve Accomplished!

This report should prove useful to folks who follow this space.

Rising to the Challenge

2020 was a year like no other in education, marked by an unprecedented increase in digitally-delivered learning. From the emergency remote pivot in spring 2020 to the more thoughtfully planned online learning in the fall — and everything in between — educators had their hands full, juggling and responding to the challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The QM community met those challenges head on — buoyed by the work they had already done to provide quality learning opportunities for students. As Alfred Mueller, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Neumann University, shared, “One of the reasons that my institution was able to transition quickly and efficiently to a remote learning format was because so many full-time and adjunct faculty had completed QM training under my direction.” The 2020 Community in Review report celebrates how the QM community rose to the challenges presented by COVID — how they prepared, pivoted and persisted. It recognizes their unwavering commitment to their students even in the face of personal trials and highlights how the community used the tools and resources available to them to help those new to digital delivery. For many, being a part of the QM community provided a stabilizing force — and a way forward — during a very difficult time. While we’re not out of the woods yet, the future is looking brighter, thanks, in large part, to the incredible work that all of you do every day. Read the Report

View this email in your browser  |  Forward to a friend 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

Help Transform the Online Teaching & Learning Experience

An item from the folks at QM.

Present at the 2021 QM ConnectLX Online Conference

From the growth of online programs to a focus on micro-credentialing, there are a lot of predictions about the future of online learning. But no matter what the future holds, we know you are prepared. Each day, you are looking forward and transforming — already incorporating forward-thinking ideas into every aspect of your online courses and programs. Bring your work to the 2021 QM ConnectLX Online Conference. Showcase the ideas, data-driven policies, research, and experiences that are transforming your quality assurance efforts at every level, from administration to frontline faculty. Let the QM community know: What’s working and what isn’t How you are tackling issues around equity What you are doing to create and grow a culture of quality How you’re addressing today’s pressing topics through research And so much more! Choose from seven concentrations and a selection of six formats! Ready to get started? Just follow these simple steps: Develop a proposal in one of seven conference concentrations Choose a presentation format Submit your proposal between February 23 and June 8, 2021 Early submissions get rewarded! If you submit by April 23, 2021, you will receive personalized feedback and have the opportunity to revise your proposal before the final review. Additionally, if your proposal is accepted, you’ll get a $50 discount on the conference registration fee. Need Inspiration? Check out recordings of some highly-rated QM ConnectLX presentations from 2020. Questions? Contact our events team. We look forward to your submission! 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 email in browser  |  Forward to a friend 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