Higher Ed Program> Program Rubric

The Quality Matters Rubric is a set of 8 general standards and 41 specific standards used to evaluate the design of online and blended courses.  The Rubric is complete with annotations that explain the application of the standards and the relationship among them.  A scoring system and set of online tools facilitate the evaluation by a team of reviewers.

Unique to the Quality Matters Rubric is the concept of alignment. This occurs when critical course components - Learning Objectives (2), Assessment and Measurement (3), Instructional Materials  (4), Learner Interaction and Engagement (5), and Course Technology (6) - work together to ensure students achieve desired learning outcomes.  Specific standards included in Alignment are indicated in the rubric annotations.
Download the 2011-2013 Rubric Standards with Points PDF.
 

The eight general standards include:

1. Course Overview and Introduction
2. Learning Objectives (Competencies)
3. Assessment and Measurement
4. Instructional Materials
5. Learner Interaction and Engagement
6. Course Technology
7. Learner Support
8. Accessibility

What is Alignment?
Critical course components - Learning Objectives (2), Assessment and Measurement (3), Resources and Materials (4), Learner Engagement (5), and Course Technology (6) - work together to ensure that students achieve the desired learning outcomes. When aligned, each of these course components is directly tied to and supports the learning objectives. Specific standards included in Alignment are indicated in the rubric annotations.

When Do I Use the Rubric?
The Quality Matters rubric is intended for use with courses that are delivered fully online or a significant online component (hybrid and blended courses).

How Do I Obtain Access to the Rubric?
The rubric is available with both the Full and Basic Subscription Options.

See the latest research in support of the Quality Matters Rubric standards

• QM Literature for 2011-2013 Rubric
• Introduction to QM Survey of the Literature in prep for the 2011 Edition of the Rubric
• Introduction of the literature 2008 
• QM Lit Review Update 2008
• QM Lit Review Update - Reference List
• Appendix 1: References supporting the original 2005 and updated 2008 literature reviews; includes listing of original referenced best practices
• QM Matrix of Research Standards 2005

The QM rubric, as well as the Quality Matters name and logo, cannot be used without the explicit written permission of MarylandOnline, Inc. (Courses that were reviewed and that received QM Recognition to date may continue to use the logo they received).

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QM Lit Review for 2011-2013 Rubric.pdf	517.6 KB