UToledo Online recently received the 2022 Quality Matters (QM) “Making a Difference for Students: Outstanding Impact by a U.S. Higher Education Organization” award for their significant contribution to the education industry.
The prestigious honor is bestowed upon an institution that demonstrates evidence of a positive impact on student learning outcomes resulting from quality-focused practices in online course design.
Members of UToledo Online are, from left to right: Dr. Mingli Xiao, associate director of Instructional Design and Development; Rachel Barnes, lead instructional designer and coordinator for quality assurance; Dr. Sylvia Suh, instructional designer; Dr. Lei Song, instructional designer and assistive technology specialist; Michael Douglas, instructional designer; Pete Angelo Rocco, graduate assistant for Accessibility; Justin Ballard, director of UToledo Online; and Dr. Michelle Walker, instructional designer.
“UToledo Online is excited to accept this recognition on behalf of the University community,” said Justin Ballard, director of UToledo Online. “We are proud that the collaborative efforts of our instructional designers and University faculty have resulted in 135 courses receiving official QM certification – the seventh most of all institutions globally.”
UToledo received the award on Nov. 8, in Tucson, Arizona.
As part of the Pathway to Master Online Instructor Program, instructional designers assist faculty with quality-focused online course design, arrange QM course reviews and provide several professional development workshops throughout the year.
“We hope to share our success and demonstrate to other higher education institutions how QM can make a significant impact on student learning,” said Mingli Xiao, associate director of Instructional Design and Development.
Quality Matters is a nationally recognized, faculty-driven peer-review process that focuses on online and blended courses. The QM rubric includes a set of eight General Standards and 42 Specific Review Standards developed through research and established best practices in instructional design and distance learning providing higher education institutions with a framework to build upon. Instructors applying for official QM certification of their course(s) undergo a rigorous review process by three QM-certified instructors with representation from other institutions required on each review team.
