To which course formats can QM Rubrics be applied?
Higher Ed  |  K-12

Course Format Chart for Courses Reviewed With QM Higher Ed Rubrics

While the QM Rubric may be used to evaluate courses of any modality, the Course Format Chart below defines course formats to which the QM Rubric may be applied during a course review. These formats are determined by taking into account professional development offered by QM, tools provided, and current review policies and procedures.

Regardless of course format, courses submitted for an Official QM Course Review must have all design components visible to reviewers in an asynchronous course site. Additionally, please note that all course formats below refer to courses that were purposefully designed for partial or full online delivery and do not refer to emergency remote instruction courses. Lastly, remember that institutional definitions of course formats may differ from those described here.

COURSE FORMAT DESCRIPTION COURSE DESIGN EVIDENCE REQUIRED

Asynchronous Online 

 Learning takes place online and asynchronously within a course site, typically hosted in a learning management system (LMS).  Asynchronous online courses can become QM-Certified with the respective QM Rubrics and QM Course Review process. If any portions occur live, such as an in-person final exam, this must be included in the course site as well. 

Synchronous Online

Learning takes place online and in real time, using technology such as web-conferencing software for synchronous interaction.


Additionally, course components necessary for learning, such as additional content, assignment information, grades, and the syllabus, are available asynchronously online, typically in an LMS course site. 

For a synchronous online course to be reviewed using the QM Rubric, there must be evidence of course design components that are available asynchronously (usually within an LMS course site) for reviewers to examine.


For activities that occur synchronously online, information about or artifacts of these activities are included in the asynchronous site to help orient learners and inform reviewers.


Any Specific Review Standard that requires information about synchronous online activities to be in the asynchronous course site is noted with a Synchronous call-out at the end of the Annotation. 

Hybrid

 Learning takes place both online and in-person/face-to-face (F2F). 

For a hybrid course to be reviewed using the QM Rubric, the online, asynchronous course site must include information about F2F activities to help orient learners and inform reviewers.


Any Specific Review Standard that requires information about the F2F activity to be in the asynchronous course site is noted with a Hybrid call-out at the end of the Annotation.

HyFlex and Multi-Modal

Learning takes place in at least two of three modalities: online asynchronous, online synchronous, and face-to-face/in-person.


These two formats are similar but slightly different. In HyFlex courses, students can decide (flex) between attending in-person or online as they choose but are registered for one course. Multi-Modal courses are taught in different modalities, but students register for a single mode of delivery for the term. 

If a HyFlex or Multi-Modal course includes an asynchronous online version, that is the version that will be reviewed using a QM Rubric.


In lieu of an asynchronous online version, the online synchronous version may be reviewed using the guidelines (above) for synchronous online.


The F2F/in-person versions of HyFlex and Multi-Modal courses cannot be reviewed (see below).

Face-to-Face (F2F) and Web-Enhanced

 Learning takes place in regularly scheduled, real-time, F2F sessions, where learners meet in person at a campus location with their instructor on a set schedule. 

While principles of the QM Rubric Standards can be applied to F2F and Web-Enhanced courses, due to the nature of the course review, it is not possible to have F2F and Web-Enhanced courses QM-Certified.


Reviewers are unable to attend real-time, in-person class sessions, and there are no (or not enough) course components to review in the LMS course site if such a site exists.


Course Format Chart for Courses Reviewed With QM K-12 Rubrics

QM defines course formats within the context of applying a QM Rubric during an official course review. Maintaining consistent definitions ensures that courses receiving QM Certification are reviewed in a replicable manner. The table below serves as guide for understanding how QM would categorize a course and whether a QM K-12 Rubric could be used to evaluate course quality. Please note that institutional definitions of course formats may differ from those described here.

DELIVERY MODE DESCRIPTION INSTRUCTION APPLICATION OF QM RUBRIC

Online

 76% or more of the content and instruction is provided in an asynchronous online format and is mediated by technology.  76% or more of the instruction occurs asynchronously online within a course site, typically hosted in a learning management system (LMS). 

Face-to-face or remote instruction meetings are typically limited to orientation or capstone events. 		 Online courses can become QM Certified using the respective QM K-12 Rubrics and the QM course review process. 

Blended

 Approximately 25-75% of the course takes place in a face-to-face (or online synchronous environment). Seat time is reduced proportionately to the percentage of the course delivered online.

The integration of both face-to-face and online activities occurs in a blended course.


Portions of the course are mediated by technology. 

Learners can gain an understanding of the overall structure and requirements of the course online.

The QM K-12 or K-12 Publisher Rubric is applied to the online portion of the course.


Face-to-face and synchronous components of the course are not directly reviewed.


Only instructional materials, activities, support materials, etc., included or referenced in the online course are considered in the QM review.

Face-to-Face, Remote Learning and Web-Enhanced

100% of the course occurs in regularly scheduled synchronous sessions where learners meet in person at a campus location with their instructor on a regular basis or in a real-time setting mediated by technology. 


The course may include use of a learning management system and extensive internet-based reading/research assignments and online discussions.

 The syllabus, readings, assignments, and grade book may be in the LMS; however, the course is conducted in regularly scheduled face-to-face meetings on campus or in a real-time setting mediated by technology. While principles of the QM Rubric Standards can be applied to face-to-face, remote learning, and web-enhanced courses, due to the nature of the course review, it is not possible to have face-to-face, remote learning and web-enhanced courses QM Certified.