Teaching & Learning Track

Results from redesigning online courses to meet Quality Matters standards

The research study began because the researchers wanted to know what matters to students in online courses. Quality Matters standards were used as one way to evaluate the quality of our online courses. This study compared online courses as they were originally developed to the same online course after redevelopment to meet all of the Quality Matters standards. All of the courses were reviewed and scored by the same QM Master Reviewer before and after redevelopment. The students in the course reviewed their courses before and after redevelopment using the same standards. The data collected from the study was collected across two courses, across multiple sections and terms. Did the reviewer and the students agree on the quality of the courses? Did the students notice a change in the quality of the course after redevelopment? How did the students who were experienced with online learning evaluate the quality of the online course? Do other research studies arrive at similar conclusions? This session will discuss the study, results and conclusions that helped us understand more about what matters to students enrolled in online courses.

Presenter: Katie Kalata, Evelyn Knowles

Kathleen Kalata is Assistant Professor of mathematics and Computer Science at Lake Superior State University. Eveleyn Knowles is the Instructional Leader for the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at the University of Northern Colorado.