Quality Course Review
CIRT takes a centralized and focused approach to supporting the design and delivery of high-quality distance learning by providing comprehensive faculty development training and systematically developing and reviewing online courses using a nationally recognized, faculty-centered process that focuses on research-based best practices to ensure quality in distance learning. Moreover, the Florida Board of Governor's Online Education 2025 Strategic Plan identifies several strategic goals focused on quality practices, including the regular review of online course design using the QM standards or an approved institutional alternative process. Beginning in 2019, online courses that have completed review will be tagged with a Quality indicator in the FloridaShines course catalog. The system goal is that 90% of online courses will have a Quality indicator by 2025.
Quality Matters (QM)
CIRT is committed to implementing the Quality Matters (QM) rubric and standards for the design of online courses, and we are systematically building and evaluating our courses based on these rigorous, research-based standards. The QM standards assure that the online components of these courses promote learner engagement and provide students with all the tools and information they need to be successful learners. A founding principle that continues to drive Quality Matters is the need for QM Standards to reflect current academic research on effective learning. The initial standards and subsequent modifications have been based on the insights of teams of experienced online instructors and instructional designers and on the best practices standards promulgated by accrediting bodies and national and international organizations. In addition, the QM Standards have been examined for consistency with the conclusions of the educational research literature regarding factors that increase learning and engagement and that improve learner retention rates. The Quality Matters Rubric is centered on relevant research and each of the specific rubric standards is supported by literature from the field. For more information, visit what you need to know about QM
Quality Review Process
To meet the BOG's goals on quality, CIRT provides expert instructional design services and offers the following opt-in levels of quality course reviews:
Quality Design (QD) - Conducted by two team members from UNF (Instructional Designer and Faculty Developer). If you submitted a course for QM review prior to May-2018, it was likely reviewed at this level. While this review process is not as rigorous as the others, it is still a significant accomplishment.
High Quality Design (HQD) - Conducted by three team members from UNF (Instructional Designer, Peer Reviewer, and Faculty Developer). Starting May-2018, this is the preferred level of quality for online courses at UNF.
QM-Managed (QM) - Upon successful completion of a HQD review, faculty may request to have their course submitted for national QM certification. Courses that successfully meet the QM Rubric Standards in a national course review are eligible for QM recognition and included on QM’s list of nationally recognized courses, and may display the coveted QM seal in the course for up to 5 years. This is a significant accomplishment that means a course has met rigorous, research-based standards of course design. This review process is the most rigorous and usually takes 4-6 weeks.
Submit course for quality review
Online courses developed through DL Course Development (DCD) or Program Transition are submitted for a High Quality Design (HQD) course review, which usually takes about 2-3 weeks to complete.
To submit your course for quality review, complete the UNF Course Review Form
Upon successful completion of a HQD course review, participants will receive:
For questions about QM or the quality course review process, contact Kevin Hulen kevin.hulen@unf.edu
