Most higher education professionals agree that quality matters when it comes to student learning opportunities.  But did you know that quality matters is more than just a casual consideration? Quality Matters is actually an established process that provides educators with a systematic approach to sound course development.  In light of this, make sure your courses meet the Quality Matters standards by following these steps.

Write Effective Learning Objectives

Effective learning objectives are the cornerstone of meeting Quality Matters standards.  So what makes an effective learning objective? Learning objectives should be:

• Clearly written
• Measurable
• Coincide with learner prerequisites

Create Supportive Activities and Assessments

Activities and assessments in your course should directly align with your learning objectives.  Make sure that students can clearly see the connection between what they’ll learn, how they’ll learn it, and how that learning will be measured.

Choose the Right Instructional Materials and Technology

Much like your course’s activities and assessments, the instructional materials and technology you choose should align with the course learning objectives.  When all of these elements work together, you’re on your way to a Quality Matters win!

Check out our A Pass checklist on what to look for when selecting a Quality Matters vendor.

 

Plan for Accessibility

Don’t forget to plan for accessibility!  Not just a Quality Matters requirement, you’ll want to make sure that your courses and content are accessible to all students.  Moreover, the materials and technology you choose should engage the learner and support the outcomes of the lesson. Be sure to familiarize yourself with ways to make your course accessible at the onset of your course development.

Work With Experts

Meeting Quality Matters requirements can seem daunting.  Using a vendor that is experienced in creating courses is the best way to ensure that you meet Quality Matters requirements.  Vendors can easily guide the course development process while assuring that all Quality Matters elements are met.

If you’re not using the Quality Matters standards yet, it’s not too late!  You can get started by reviewing and applying these tips to your current courses.  For even more effectiveness, consider consulting with a vendor that is experienced with Quality Matters standards.  You’ll be glad you did, and so will your students.