The Quality Matters (QM) Course Review process is not just a certification, but an opportunity for instructors to refine and improve their Canvas courses for accessibility, clarity, and student engagement. Jennifer Newton, Principal Lecturer, completed her internal course review of MATH 2070: Business Calculus II in March 2024. To learn more about the impact the QM Review process has had on her teaching and her students, we reached out to ask how the course is going now that she has been teaching the revised version for over a year.
How was your experience going through the QM course review process?
“The Quality Matters course review was a great experience. The review team was extremely helpful, offering a clear set of objectives, constructive feedback, and specific suggestions to guide me toward QM certification.”
Newton describes the process as collaborative and encouraging, rather than evaluative. While the team helped guide improvements to course materials, they also assisted Newton in achieving a higher understanding of accessibility within course design. The QM review process helped provide positive changes that ensure all students better engage in course materials.
How has the QM process changed your course and general design process?
“The review process prompted me to change several things within my course. Several accessibility improvements have been made that are crucial to meeting the needs of students with learning differences. Additionally, I now have a redesigned home page with navigation buttons that easily direct students to important information. I have also added a course map that makes that makes the relevance of each learning activity clear and gives the student a better overall picture of the path to success. I believe each of these changes has improved the overall student experience.”
“I now put more thought into the ease of use, accessibility, and a clearly defined relevance for every tool or assignment used.”
The Quality Matters review process extends beyond improving a single course. It also prepares instructors to use what they have learned when creating new assignments and course materials.
Have you noticed any changes in how students engage with your course, or in their performance?
“I’ve definitely noticed a difference in how students engage with the course at the beginning of the term. The improvements in the getting started instructions and the overall layout of the course have made it easier for them have a successful start on day 1.”
“Students have commented that the course is very easy to navigate and they like the consistent structure. They also comment that they appreciate that each learning activity is clearly tied to the course objectives.”
Course alignment is one of the foundations of QM certified course. When course materials, objectives, and assignments are properly connected, students are better able to succeed in their courses. Clear organization that allows for consistent navigation is key to online student engagement. QM standards provide guideline to create a course that is painless to navigate.
As you can see, the Quality Matters course review process offers much more than a certification; it is the process of earning that certification that is valuable. QM Peer Reviewers help guide instructors to enhance accessibility, strengthen course organization, and ensure course alignment in order to create a better learning experience for students.
Want to know more about the Quality Matters course review process? Click the link below to be directed to the Quality Matters page on the Clemson Online website and learn how you can get started.
Upcoming Events
Designing Effective Assessments in an AI World
November 12th, 1:30-2:30 PM
Whether you are integrating AI into your students’ learning or trying to encourage students to leave AI out of class assessments, this training will help you learn more about designing effective assignments with Generative AI in mind.
This training session will be held over Zoom. After completing the registration form, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation, including the Zoom link. All registrants will be sent a copy of the recorded training.
Click here to register and receive the Zoom link!
Facilitated by ‘dara Abimbade, Digital Learning Strategist.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions about this session.
Workshop Wednesday: Increasing Active Learning in Your Online Course
November 19th, 1:30-2:30 PM
This will be an active participation workshop where participants will bring either a learning activity they currently use or an idea for an activity they would like to explore for an upcoming course. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to define active learning, apply methods to increase active learning in their courses, and each will have a newly improved learning activity to use in their course design.
This training session will be held over Zoom. After completing the registration form, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation, including the Zoom link. All registrants will be sent a copy of the recorded training.
Click here to register and receive the Zoom link!
Facilitated by James Butler, Digital Learning Strategist.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions about this session.
Clemson Online Fall 2025 Events Calendar
Review our Fall 2025 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
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