On the Usage of Quality Matters and Its Rubric for Improving Online Teaching for the Fall

Earlier this month I asked a question on Twitter about the growing usage of (and pushback against) faculty training based on the Quality Matters Course Design Rubric. That question led to a rich discussion – both pro and con – on the usage of the QM rubric in the attempt to improve online teaching in Fall 2020. The QM staff requested that we help with an alternate forum for them to address some of the issues raised online, given the limitations and tone of Twitter conversations.

This request made sense, especially given the importance of the transition from emergency-remote teaching to purposely-designed quality online courses that most institutions are struggling with this year. What we settled on was a series of podcast interviews, along with transcripts, that would allow a richer discussion of the topic. All three episodes in this series were released as part of the COVID Transitions podcast last night.

• 15A: Introduction of topic – I discuss the conversation and highlight some of the key arguments in a discussion with Kevin Kelly and Jeanette Wiseman.

• 15B: Interview with Bethany Simunich and Brendy Boyd from Quality Matters – In this interview, we hear QM staff discuss the conversation and how they intended for the rubric to be used, as well as what other tools are available.

• 15C: Interviews with Stephanie Moore and Jesse Stommel – In these two interviews, we discuss a critical perspective on the usage of the rubric this year, as well as the rubric itself, with some constructive criticisms and suggestions. For further reading, see Jesse’s blog post on the subject.

You can listen to each episode using the links above, as well as read the full transcripts. Or you can listen to any of the episodes through your favorite podcast player.

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