⏰ QM Connect Registration Increases After Sept. 30

An item from the folks at QM.

Workshops: Nov. 6, 2022 Sessions: Nov.7 – 9, 2022 Loews Ventana Canyon Resort — Tucson, Arizona Register Now Register by Sept. 30 and Save up to $90 Thinking about attending this year’s QM Connect, Michael? Now’s the time to register for Quality Matters’ flagship conference, dedicated to innovative, collaborative strategies for improving digital learning. Prices are increasing after Sept. 30, so register today to save up to $90 per person.  Register Now  Register After Sept. 30  Full Conference Registration (Member Rate)  $785  $875  Full Conference Registration  $885  $975  Single Day Registration (Per Day)  $355  $385 Looking for even more savings? Register a group of five or more from your institution to receive a $50/person discount — like the faculty at Laredo College did! Hear Dr. Elizabeth C. Rodriguez, Dean of Academic Innovation & Technology at Laredo, discuss why she and her colleagues are excited to attend together in this video: Don’t wait — register for QM Connect today! Register

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 © 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

QM Sept. HE Newsletter: Hear from Members, #QMConnect workshops, and more!

A more higher education focused item from the folks at QM.

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Higher Education News September, 2022

Workshops Your Way When Bellevue College needed a workshop that all their faculty could complete, they chose the Improving Your Online Course (IYOC). The 14 dedicated sessions they’re offering this year and next will help faculty form improvement plans for existing courses. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania has set up dedicated sessions for the Teaching Online Certificate (TOC) workshops. Justin Sentz, Deputy CITO & Executive Director of Academic Technology shared their experience last month in a QM Success Story webinar, “Every single faculty member who completed the certificate said it was worth their time and has informed their practice.” Mitchell Community College recently offered the “Best Practices for Online Learning: A Roadmap to Quality” webinar that is part of the New to Online Teaching Series. Melissa Hill, their QM Coordinator, told us that the presentation was exactly what she’d hoped for, as their “main goal is to better familiarize faculty with the QM standards and have it be a part of their thinking as they design their courses from here on out.” QM Dedicated Professional Development comes in all sizes and shapes for any interested organization. Professional development for course quality intertwines into all aspects of courses and flows through into successful outcomes for your learners. Visit the Dedicated Professional Development page for more information. Office Hours? Student Hours? Have a policy! A common complaint is that learners don’t make use of instructor office hours (or “student hours,” if that’s your org’s preference). Consider making at least some of those scheduled hours purpose-focused, such as going over examples of and questions about a large assessment, or addressing lingering confusion from a graded and returned midterm exam. Solicit questions from students ahead of time so those who can’t attend live can still be a part of the discussion. You could record your sessions and post them to the course site.*  Worried that students won’t ask questions or engage in a discussion? Maybe students are reluctant to submit questions for the first few sessions? Have a few questions of your own on-hand — just think about the questions that students normally have, things that a good portion of the class is struggling with or that you see persistent misunderstandings about, etc.  Your institution might have a template to help you with this policy. Consider including it on your Course Policies page in the LMS and as a link where it’s applicable to course work. *Closed-captioning can be created by turning on the transcript feature in Zoom. How Master Reviewers Make Quality Happen At the heart of the QM course review process stands the Team Chair. These are the specially-trained educators with the QM-Certified Master Reviewer role who ensure that QM’s rigorous standards are applied consistently throughout the process while leading the review team in its work.  It’s a job that requires organizational skill, a gift for communication and a robust understanding of the QM review process. It’s also a deeply rewarding endeavor for dedicated educators who are passionate about quality and collaboration.  Could it be right for you? If you’re a QM-Certified Peer Reviewer, review the Master Reviewer course description and check out the schedule for course dates. Hear from Master Reviewers about their work >> Ramp Up With #QMConnect Workshops  November 6 – 9 Tucson, ArizonaSpecial hotel pricing at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is $189 plus tax $50 off per person for groups of five or more. Pre-conference workshops are available at $150 for half day sessions or $300 for full-day sessions. Register Take advantage of the opportunity to complete foundational QM workshops in-person. Some of our most popular online sessions will be available: Designing Your Online Course Need a plan for an online course you’ll be teaching? Want to make sure it’s designed with QM Standards in mind — especially the 23 Essential Specific Review Standards? Then this full-day workshop is for you!  Designing Your Blended Course If your course combines in-person and online instruction, consider this workshop for examining, improving and planning key elements of your course. You’ll spend the day developing a plan for one module of your blended course — setting yourself and your students up for success. Sign up for workshops during registration or add them to your existing itinerary. Learn more about QM Connect 2022 — including the informative, interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and QM-special pricing on accommodations at Tucson’s Loews Ventana Canyon Resort — on the event information website. Congratulations! Please join us in congratulating the following Higher Education, Publisher and Continuing & Professional Education members for having one or more courses recently QM-Certified. View More QM-Certified Courses >> Austin Peay State University California State University-East Bay California State University-Fullerton California State University-Long Beach Cameron University Carroll Community College Clark College Cleveland Community College Columbia Southern University East Carolina University East Central University Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Florida Atlantic University Florida International University Florida State College at Jacksonville Florida State University Georgia Highlands College Georgia Southern University Hawaii Pacific University Hillsborough Community College Hinds Community College Indiana University-Northwest Indiana University-Southeast Kent State University System Laredo College Marymount California University North Park University Prairie View A & M University Rutgers University South Florida State College Southeastern Community College (NC) Southern Arkansas University Tech Southern Union State Community College Swedish Institute Texas A & M International University The University of Alabama The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga The University of Texas at Arlington Tidewater Community College University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Cincinnati University of Florida University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Florida University of Southern Indiana University of Toledo University of West Georgia West Chester University of Pennsylvania Teachworthy Welcome New Members Guilford College Spalding University College of Mount Saint Vincent Foreign Service Institute Science Interactive Lyon College SilkWeb Consulting and Development LLC  Minnesota North College John Wiley & Sons Australia, LTD Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins TALEMIA Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology Learn More About QM Membership >>

Virtual sessions of the Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR) workshop available September through December! Complete the workshop in one full day or two half days instead of the usual two weeks. See Options 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

Standards In Practice: NSQ Online Teaching – Standard D

An item from this “national standards” initiative.

Standard Highlight:  Online Teaching Standard D: Learner Engagement The online teacher promotes learner success through interactions with learners and other stakeholders and by facilitating meaningful learner engagement in learning activities. D4:  The online teacher establishes relationships through timely and encouraging communication, using various formats. Download PDF Short description:   Engaging students in a virtual learning environment is challenging but is attainable. When you lose the captive audience benefit of a traditional school you need a much more conscious effort on how to communicate to ensure you are creating a trusting and inviting learning environment to engage the learner.  In a virtual school, your school culture is based on the way that your staff communicate with your students. In order for a school to influence culture, school’s must monitor and train around effective staff-to-student communication.  If staff are using communication that is positive, relational, and reflective they will build trust and optimism for students to engage.  If staff communication is reliable, intentional, consistent, and balanced, they will create respect and intention with students, motivating them to engage. This is a two-way process and cannot be undervalued.  Using a communications rubric and intentional professional development sessions as a guide to improve practice will provide you with the best avenue to meet this goal. By Kristi Teall, Executive Director for Link Learning and Chris Loiselle, Operations Director for Link Learning.    Helpful Hints for putting the standard into practice Helpful hints for building learner engagement include: Understand the Invitational Teaching Model (see resources) and the critical nature of communication in Education. Share the research about student engagement, student/staff relationships, and how communication can influence this. Help your staff understand the psychological needs of at-risk youth which include feelings of belonging, competence, usefulness, potency, and optimism, and how great communication can help. Coach with a communication rubric and theory to give a road map on how to improve. Capture staff/student text conversations for quality evaluation. Challenge staff to set goals based on their own self evaluation and reflect on improvement. Identify individual and collective communication strengths and growth edges impacting relationships. Develop intentional professional development training and to reinforce best practices in educational communication. Resources to support standard use (mostly practical) Rubric Link: Communication Rubric Harrington, C. & DeBruler, K. (2021). Key strategies for engaging students in virtual learning environments. Michigan Virtual University. Better than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management (p. 23), by D. Smith, D. Fisher, and N. Frey, 2015, Alexandria, VA: Copyright 2015 by ASCD. Purkey, W. W., & Stanley P. H. (1991). Invitational teaching, learning, and living. Washington DC: National Education Association Library. Cox, J., & Sagor, R. (2004). At Risk Students: Reaching and Teaching Them (2nd ed.). Routledge, New York. Author and Organization Bio  Kristi Teall is the Executive Director for Link Learning.  Link Learning is a virtual program for Berrien Springs Public Schools. We currently have 16 different locations across the State of Michigan to serve youth at-risk of dropping out of school.  Her role includes increasing leadership capacity, student engagement, and improving relationships and support through professional development, data analysis, and guidance for the success of both staff and students. Chris Loiselle is the Operations Director for Link Learning.  He began working with Berrien Springs Public Schools building their off-site virtual programs in 2011, and as Operations Director, helped develop it into one of the largest virtual high school programs in Michigan.   He is also co-founder of Student Achievement Systems; an educational software development company. Chris and Kristi lead the Quality Assurance Team for Link Learning.  They have worked together on and off since 2008 in many capacities.  They believe that communication is a critical component for success in virtual teaching and learning and their work has supported that belief. Check out the NSQ Website and  NSQ Professional Learning Portal for more resources. Copyright © *2022* *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

Tick-tock… one week until Q-Up! Don’t miss out

An item from the folks at QM.

Time is Running Out!

One week until Q-Up… now’s the time to register Everyone’s buzzing about next week’s Q-Up for Digital Quality conference, and you won’t want to miss it. This half-day event will be chock-full of relevant, actionable online learning tips you can start using immediately.  With more than 15 high-impact sessions available, the hardest part may be choosing which ones to attend live! Here’s a sampling:  Designing a Virtual Learning Program for Elementary Learners Student Connection and Rapport in the Virtual Environment Quality Assurance in Online Learning: It’s More Than Just a Checkbox! Wellness for Educators  Email! (No, seriously, email!) …and more! Explore the full agenda here You’ll have access to all session recordings for 90 days, so you won’t miss a thing. Plus, you may be able to earn up to four CEUs for attending!   Register Now Virtual Conference September 23, 2022 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET  (convert time zone) Fee: $25.00  Cost-effective professional development for your team! Register Need help registering your group? Contact QM’s Events & Conferences Manager. Forward to a friend 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 © 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

Countdown to Q-Up… it’s time to register!

A K-12 focused item from the folks at Quality Matters.

It’s Time to Get Revved Up for Q-Up!

You’ve been working hard to ensure your online learners get the best possible experience. The Q-Up for K-12 Digital Quality conference offers just the kind of support that will take your online instruction to the next level. See why presenter Kirsten Wilson (and her friend Quality Koala) is excited for this year’s event in this video. “The sessions this year have incredible variety and relevance to the work we’re doing as digital educators and learners — from supporting our youngest learners to those who teach and develop in virtual environments.” — Kirsten Wilson This half-day online event offers a great opportunity to interact with your fellow educators and get up to speed on the most relevant topics in K-12 online learning, including:  Elementary course navigation and UX design  Creative communication techniques Incorporating voice and choice in online environments Designing a student centered online program …plus many more! And the benefits don’t end when the conference is over — you’ll get takeaways you can implement right away and have access to all the session recordings for 90 days! Virtual Conference September 23, 2022 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET  (convert time zone) Fee: $25.00  Cost-effective professional development for your team! Register Need to register a group? Email QM’s Events & Conferences Manager You may be able to earn up to four CEUs for attending. Forward to a friend 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 © 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