Quality Matters Testimonials by Clark College Faculty
"The value of re-structuring my class guided by the QM certification process became clear when evaluations for my class rolled in. For the first time, students cited the great organization, clear instructions, and multiple options to engage with material as very beneficial to them as students and encouraging to them as anxious learners in a new environment. On my end, I am experiencing a dramatic reduction in questions from students because it is so easy for them to find the answers on their own because of the course design. It is a commitment worth your investment." (Virginia Kyle, Sociology, QM-certified course, 2023)
"I am a better teacher because of QM and the eLearning department at Clark College. I thought my curriculum was clear, but with QM, it became more clear. I thought my classes were organized, but with QM, they became more organized. Being involved with QM and having classes certified has been a game changer. I highly recommend QM for teaching improvement and a better learning experience for students!" (Elizabeth Etter, Allied Health, QM-certified courses, 2022 and 2023)
"I first have to admit my beginnings: I never had any intention of teaching online, let alone going through the QM process. But on the other side, so to speak, and knowing what the QM learning process and certification offer, I gained a much-needed re-orientation to the best of teaching and learning. The backwards design required for learning online is much more deliberate, and at the same time, this careful scaffolding (the book The Online Teaching Survival Guide was so helpful on this) allows me to be clear in creating those many encounters toward learning a concept or skill. It's so much more palpable, more by design, and more beneficial for students. From course beginnings to the so-called "pruning and wrapping up," where the faculty cedes control and the student demonstrates knowledge in his/her/their own way, I've learned, twenty years into this work, what is happening in each crucial juncture. And students are much more clear about it as well." (Jill Darley-Vanis, English Literature, QM-certified course, 2022)
"Going through the Quality Matters (QM) training courses and ultimately designing a class using the QM rubric helped me bridge the gap between outcomes and assignments. Before beginning a unit of study, students know what is expected of them, how their learning will be measured, and ways to chunk their assignments into digestible tasks. With a rigorous focus on accessibility, targeted learning objectives, and alignment to each assignment, my students get a streamlined and concise course with consistent rubrics and various ways to demonstrate mastery. This transparent model of education has improved my teaching and grading while allowing me to understand the student experience better." (Molly Lampros, Communication Studies, QM-certified course, 2021)
"Quality Matters, with its emphasis on curriculum alignment and measurable objectives, gave me a powerful way to make explicit for my students not only what I’m asking them to do but, more importantly, how the coursework fits together. It helped me improve the transparency of my course, gave my course pages and assignments more explicit purpose, and boosted my students’ engagement with the material." (Tobias Peterson, English, QM-certified courses, 2013 and 2015 and 2022)
"Quality Matters allows me to be constantly putting students first. Each term I reflect on how students are faring and what I can do to improve the course. The Quality Matters rubric serves as an excellent tool to help me with my reflection." (Loni Bramson, History, QM-certified courses 2011 and 2016 and 2022)
I am so grateful to have our College 101 online course Quality Matters certified. Annually, we offer close to 60 online sections of College 101, reaching approximately 1,500 students, and all use the same course shell template that is QM certified. Knowing that our curriculum has met the rigorous, yet thoughtful, Quality Matters standards, I am confident that College 101 introduces our students to the college and to learning online through a course that is clear, comprehensive and engaging. Student feedback confirms that modules are well organized, assignments are clear, content is the right amount that give students what they need from the course. Getting Quality Matters certified was a beneficial process and opportunity I feel fortunate to have been able to access through our eLearning program. (Kristin Sherwood, College 101, QM-certified course, 2015 and 2020)
"The QM course review process has us use the course objectives as the backbone for the course. This has changed how I go about structuring my math and statistics courses, which has improved the student experience. I have units in the course that focus on one or two of the objectives, with textbook reading, videos, homework, and class activities that all connect to complete the full picture of those objectives for the student. Any assessments focus on them as well, so everything lines up. The other aspect of the QM process that has made my courses better is the focus on the flow of the course – we want students to navigate around our online environment in a manner that makes sense to them. I’ve made so many improvements to the look, feel, and flow of the course, which I overlooked before. (Kate Cook, Math, QM-certified course, 2020)
“The benefit of deliberate course design is creating a course that allows students to focus on learning, rather than getting stuck on the course architecture. The QM review process has given me the opportunity to purposefully create an effective, learning opportunity for my students.” (Amy C. Dolan PhD, Biology, QM-certified course, 2013)
“The QM course review process is like any good peer review. You take a standard, you craft in view of that standard, and you have smart, critical, but also sympathetic peers evaluate how you did and offer suggestions for improvement. Then you revise in light of that feedback. As a result of going through the QM review process, I teach knowing that my instruction is delivered through effective design--which makes the class better for both me and my students.” (William S. Durden, English, QM-certified course, 2013)
"The QM rubric guided me through the process of connecting my course goals to each unit and activity in my course. I paid much closer attention to the accessibility of all aspects of my course. I appreciated the opportunity to take part in a national Quality Matters course review to gain the insight of colleagues across the country. Their suggestions helped me adjust components of my class as well as reaffirm effective instructional strategies." (Rebecca Martin, Environmental Science, QM-certified, 2013)
“Learning how to apply the QM rubric helped me think about my course from a student's perspective. I improved the design of my course and linked the course activities and assessments more closely with the learning objectives. QM helped me make my course more consistent and approachable.” (Alexis Nelson, English Composition, QM-certified course, 2021)
