Quality Matters Online Conference Provides Tools, Resources and Connections to Help Education Community Meet Increased Demand for Online Learning

Quality Matters (QM), the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments, is hosting QM ConnectLX — an expanded, online version of its annual conference — October 22-23 and 26-28, 2020. 

With the education landscape continuing to shift in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — and the demand for online learning increasing — the annual conference was reimagined to support the changing needs of the education community and to provide access to as many educators as possible during these uncertain times.

This year’s theme — “Bring Quality Into Focus” — supports educators who want to build on this spring’s move to emergency remote instruction as well as online veterans who strive for continual improvement in their efforts to create engaging learning experiences that drive student success. Attendees will be able to choose from a variety of activities — including interactive workshops, concurrent sessions, poster sessions, Course Checkups, and networking events — to best meet their personal needs and goals.  

“The QM ConnectLX conference unites our community in a forum focused specifically on the quality of the student learning experience,” said QM’s Executive Director Dr. Deb Adair. “As educators rethink online learning and campus faculty lean into online tools and pedagogy for quality teaching and learning online, the conference provides the opportunity for us to face our challenges together, and, more importantly, to learn from each other in a fun, supportive environment that can help educators better understand the student perspective.” 

While new elements such as Course Checkups — small group meetings focused on specific course challenges — have been added, the conference will still feature familiar elements, including a keynote address. This year’s keynote speaker, Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, will highlight the challenges of the digital divide and the need for it to be addressed nationally. 

QM award winners will also be highlighted during the conference. Each year, QM recognizes individuals and groups that exemplify QM’s focus on student success through the implementation of QM Standards, practices and processes. Recipients of the 2020 QM Making a Difference for Students Awards are:

• Outstanding Impact by an Individual in Higher Education: Bethanne Tobey, North Carolina State University at Raleigh

• Outstanding Impact by a Higher Education Organization: Mount Carmel College of Nursing

• Outstanding Impact by a K-12 Organization or Individual: Virtual Arkansas 

Other leaders recognized this year for contributions in quality assurance include recipients of the Quality Matters Directors’ Award For Exceptional Service. The Award for Exceptional Service is presented to members of the QM community who have gone above and beyond common service to the organization. These individuals have made extraordinary contributions to QM’s quality assurance efforts with online and/or blended education at institutions, and for learners. 

Recipients of the 2020 Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service representing Higher Education are:

• Racheal Brooks, North Carolina Central University

• Steven Crawford, Maricopa Community Colleges

Recipient of the 2020 Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service representing K-12 is:

• Megan Ash, Educational Service Center of Central Ohio 

Recipients of the 2020 Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service representing Outstanding Facilitation are: 

• CJ Bracken, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

• Kathy Bright, Olympic College

To learn more about QM ConnectLX and to register, please visit https://www.qualitymatters.org/events/attend

About Quality Matters

Grounded in research. Driven by best practices. A community that puts learners first. Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments. It provides a scalable quality assurance system for online and blended learning used within and across organizations. When you see QM Recognition and Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review Criteria in a rigorous review process.