Quality Assurance

Overview

Fayetteville Technical Community College is committed to exceptional design for all online courses. FTCC maintains a culture of reflection and continuous improvement within the course design process. The Quality Matters Rubric is used when creating and evaluating online courses.

Course Review Process

FTCC has a specific process for evaluating online courses, utilizing two specific types of course reviews: The QM Self-Review and the QM Internal Review.

Self-Reviews

QM Self-Reviews can be conducted by any stakeholder at any point in the course design process within their free QM account. QM Self-Reviews are designed to help an instructor or course manager prepare for a QM Internal or QM Official Review. There is no credential associated with a Self-Review; it is merely for the purpose of preparation for the next step.

The QM Self-Review is the best way to get started with evaluating a course. The tool will guide you through applying the QM Rubric and rendering a Final Report. You can edit your self-review as you make improvements to your course to track your progress and QM score. *

When is a Self-Review recommended?

• After creating a new course.
• After changing the main text or textbook for a course.
• When requesting changes to a master course map.
• When preparing for an Internal QM Review.

*Please note: Although taking the “Applying the Quality Matters Rubric Training (APPQMR)” is recommended, it is not required prior to using the Self-Review Tool.

Internal Reviews

The FTCC QM Internal Review process focuses on the FTCC QM Essentials Rubric, which is comprised of all 3-point QM essential standards. Once a course is evaluated using the Essentials Rubric and passes all those standards, that course will receive a digital badge notifying others of its special status. The course and the course stakeholders will also receive recognition for their efforts in supporting the goals of effective online course design at FTCC.

When will an Internal Review occur?

• When a course is requested to undergo an Internal Review by leadership.
• When a course manager or instructor receives approval from their leadership to request an Internal Review.
• When FTCC Quality Matters staff identify a course or courses as prepared for the Internal Review process.

What is the Internal Review Process at FTCC?

Internal Reviews will be conducted by a team of two to three reviewers, including a combination of a QM certified Peer Reviewer, an APPQMR certified reviewer, and/or a subject matter expert.

To request an Internal Review or for questions about the QM review process, please contact the Instructional Design Coach, Angela Westmoreland.

Certified High-Quality Courses

• BUS 110 – Introduction to Business – 2023
• BUS 253 – Leadership and Management – 2024
• FIP 120- Introduction to Fire Protection – 2024
• CJC 111- Introduction to Criminal Justice – 2024

Official QM Reviews

Leadership will determine which courses will move forward into an Official QM Review. To qualify for the official review, a course must have been evaluated through the Internal Review process and have passed all Essential Standards.

Click here for more information about Quality Matters Course reviews.