Quality Matters @ ECU
Quality Matters @ ECU
What is Quality Matters?
Quality Matters (QM) is a research-supported program designed to encourage quality in online and other digital teaching and learning environments. Through a rigorous rubric-based review process, the design of an online course is evaluated on a set of eight General Standards and 42 Specific Review Standards. The alignment of the eight General Standards is evaluated as well, to ensure students can meet the learning outcomes for the course. There are currently more than 60,000 members of the Quality Matters organization worldwide.
You can learn more about the Quality Matters program and resources at the Quality Matters website.
Quality Matters Certified Courses at ECU
Since 2020, ECU Faculty have worked to earn certification for more than 70 courses across a wide range of subject matters and course levels. We encourage you to view the full list of QM Certified Courses at ECU to see if faculty in your school or college have earned certification for their courses.
QM Resources for ECU Faculty
The University of North Carolina System maintains a system-wide subscription for Quality Matters professional development and course review/certification. Faculty at all constituent institutions have access to all of the resources and professional development, including course review and certification. ECU is developing a network of trained faculty, course reviewers and trainers. More information on additional QM opportunities is forthcoming, but we encourage you to participate in professional development and join us as we grow our QM capacity at ECU!
Upcoming Quality Matters Professional Development Opportunities
The following workshops are available to ECU Faculty at no cost to you or your department. If you are interested in registering for a workshop or if you have questions about Quality Matters, please contact either of the QM Coordinators for ECU, Andrew Horne or Justin Littlefield. You can also contact the ECU Office for Faculty Excellence for other professional development opportunities.
| Date/Time | Session Title | Description | Links/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2, 2025 1:30 - 1:45 | Tech with Intention: Choosing the Right Tools for Learning | Tech should make learning easier, not harder. In this session, we’ll explore how to choose the right digital tools that align with your goals, support student success, and keep your course running smoothly. Facilitated by Stacy Muse | Tech with Intention: Choosing the Right Tools for Learning Session Recording |
| September 5, 2025 10:00 - 10:30 | Quality Matters 101: Laying the Foundation for Course Excellence | Quality Matters (QM) is an organization focused on high-quality online course design. In this intro session, you’ll learn some basics of the QM Rubric, insight into the QM Peer Review process, and gain some takeaways you can put to work in your online courses. Facilitated by Andrew Horne | Quality Matters 101: Laying the Foundation for Course Excellence - Session Recording |
| September 5, 2025 September 12, 2025 September 19, 2025 1:00 - 3:00 Must attend all three sessions to complete the workshop | Designing Your Online Course (DYOC) * | This workshop guides participants through the foundational steps of designing an online or blended course using the Quality Matters framework. Participants explore key design principles, including alignment, learner engagement, and accessibility, while developing a course plan that meets QM Standards. DYOC is ideal for instructors new to online teaching or those creating a course from scratch. Facilitated by Stacy Muse | Registered participants will receive a link to join the workshop from the Learning Technologies Team |
| September 17, 2025 1:30 - 1:45 | Learning with Intention: Writing Outcomes that Matter | Make every lesson count with clear, purposeful learning outcomes. In this session, we’ll break down how to write meaningful objectives that guide your content, focus your assessments, and help students understand exactly what they’re working toward. Facilitated by Andrew Horne | Learning with Intention: Writing Outcomes that Matter - Session Recording |
| September 26, 2025 October 3, 2025 October 10, 2025 1:00 - 3:00 Must attend all three sessions to complete the workshop | Improving Your Online Course (IYOC) * | Focused on course enhancement, this workshop helps participants evaluate and improve an existing online course using the QM Rubric. Through hands-on activities and peer discussions, participants identify areas for improvement and develop a course improvement plan. IYOC is best suited for faculty who have already taught their course and are ready to refine it for better learner outcomes. Facilitated by Justin Littlefield | Registered participants will receive a link to join the workshop from the Learning Technologies Team |
| September 29, 2025 3:00 - 4:00 | CourseFIT Information Session | CourseFIT is an intensive program that offers participants the opportunity to explore effective online course design and innovative educational technologies that support instructional goals. Participants will complete the program with a redesign of a selected course for online delivery and obtain Quality Matters (QM) certification for the course. This session is for faculty considering applying for the Summer 2026 CourseFIT cohort who want to learn more or ask questions about the program. | CourseFIT Information Session - Session Recording |
| October 2, 2025 1:30 - 1:45 | Checkpoints for Success: Measuring What Matters Most | How do you know students are really learning? This session explores how to create assessments that align with your outcomes, provide meaningful feedback, and give students clear checkpoints on their path to success. Facilitated by Andrew Horne | Checkpoints for Success: Measuring What Matters Most - Session Recording |
| October 15, 2025 2:00 - 2:30 | Quality Matters 101: Laying the Foundation for Course Excellence | Quality Matters (QM) is an organization focused on high-quality online course design. In this intro session, you’ll learn some basics of the QM Rubric, insight into the QM Peer Review process, and gain some takeaways you can put to work in your online courses. Facilitated by Andrew Horne | Quality Matters 101: Laying the Foundation for Course Excellence - Session Recording |
| October 17, 2025 October 24, 2025 October 31, 2025 1:00 - 3:00 Must attend all three sessions to complete the workshop | Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) * | This flagship workshop introduces participants to the QM Rubric and its application in reviewing the design of online and blended courses. Participants learn to use the rubric’s standards to evaluate course alignment and quality and gain practical experience through collaborative review exercises. APPQMR is a prerequisite for becoming a certified QM Peer Reviewer and is essential for anyone involved in course design or quality assurance. | Registered participants will receive a link to join the workshop from the Learning Technologies Team |
| October 21, 2025 1:30 - 1:45 | From Resources to Results: Choosing the Right Materials | Great courses start with great content. This session will show you how to select and structure materials that are easy to access, clearly connected to your objectives, and meaningful to your learners. Facilitated by Andrew Horne | From Resources to Results: Choosing the Right Materials - Session Recording |
| October 23, 2025 10:00 - 10:30 | Blueprinting for Impact: Creating a Course Map that Works | Design your course with purpose from the start! In this session, you’ll learn how to build a clear and effective course map that aligns objectives, activities, and assessments, making teaching easier and learning more meaningful. Facilitated by Andrew Horne | Blueprinting for Impact: Creating a Course Map that Works - Session Recording |
| October 29, 2025 1:30 - 1:45 | From Passive to Active: Learning that Sparks Participation to the Asynchronous Classroom * | Ready to turn “click-through” courses into meaningful learning experiences? This session explores simple strategies to design engaging activities that get students thinking, participating, and connecting, even in asynchronous spaces. Facilitated by Justin Littlefield | From Passive to Active: Learning that Sparks Participation to the Asynchronous Classroom - Session Recording |
| November 6, 2025 1:00 - 5:00 November 7, 2025 9:00 - 12:00 Must attend both sessions to complete the workshop In-Person: Joyner Library 1008 | Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) * | This flagship workshop introduces participants to the QM Rubric and its application in reviewing the design of online and blended courses. Participants learn to use the rubric’s standards to evaluate course alignment and quality and gain practical experience through collaborative review exercises. APPQMR is a prerequisite for becoming a certified QM Peer Reviewer and is essential for anyone involved in course design or quality assurance. | |
| November 13, 2025 1:30 – 1:45 | Setting the Stage: Designing a Clear Start for Students for The Upcoming Semester * | Start your course off right with a clear, welcoming introduction that sets students up for success. This session will explore practical ways to design a strong course welcome, organize your homepage, and communicate expectations from day one. Facilitated by Justin Littlefield | Setting the Stage: Designing a Clear Start for Students for The Upcoming Semester - Session Recording |
| November 18, 2025 1:30 – 1:45 | Bridge to Success: Connecting Students to What They Need | Students shouldn’t have to search high and low for support. This session will show you how to seamlessly connect learners to the right campus resources; academic, tech, and beyond. Stick around ‘til the end… we’ve got a helpful surprise to send you off with that just might make your course even stronger. Facilitated by Stacy Muse | Register for Bridge to Success: Connecting Students to What They Need Join Bridge to Success: Connecting Students to What They Need |
*(DE) This session is aligned with the ECU Distance Education Continuing Education Requirement
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact ECU’s ADA coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252-737-1018 or ada-coordinator@ecu.edu.