50 TAMIU Online Courses Receive Quality Matters Recognition

Texas A&M International University recently achieved a milestone—it now offers 50 Quality Matters-certified online courses.

Quality Matters (QM) is a faculty-centered, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. QM is a nationally-recognized leader in quality assurance for online education and student learning.

“After recruiting and training faculty on the standards of QM, TAMIU earned one certified course in the Fall of 2012, 15 courses in 2013, and so far, 34 courses in this year alone!” said Dr. Pat Abrego, director, TAMIU Instructional Technology and Distance Education.

“This is great momentum, and more course reviews are coming down the pipe,” she added.

With the increasing number of online courses available, students enrolled in QM-certified classes at TAMIU are assured that the courses have been planned, developed and designed with all components to make their learning experience a success.

Students show improved learning outcomes and retention and they also become more confident and motivated to enroll in more online courses.

“The University and its students greatly benefit from the commitment and time put into these courses,” said Abrego.

The courses are offered in a wide variety of areas: algebra, English, Spanish, criminal justice, sociology, history, nursing, dance, music, finance and more.

Faculty members also benefit from QM-certified courses. They have an opportunity to participate in professional development workshops on how to apply the QM rubric and build or improve their online course. QM recognized courses are measured against a widely accepted national benchmark for quality assurance in online education. The course design is of high quality.

“The process for certification involved two rounds of peer reviews, one internal and one external, which follows the research-based standards that ensure alignment between objectives, instructional activities, and assessments in a course,” explained Abrego.

QM standards are revised every two years to reflect current research on best practices in online learning. QM recognition expires after five years.

For a complete list of QM-certified TAMIU courses, visit http://www.tamiu.edu/qm/course-review-recognized-courses.shtml

For additional information, contact Abrego at pabrego@tamiu.edu, phone 956.326.2302 or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 259.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Registration for Spring 2015 starts Monday, Oct. 27.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu