Quality Matters QM Connect Conference Represents Excellence for Learners In Online Education

Quality Matters (QM), the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments, is hosting its 11th annual QM Connect conference in Grapevine, Texas , October 27 – 30, 2019. An international cohort representing Chile, Fiji, and Canada will attend. Across the globe, QM links organizations in the common language of quality to deliver on the promise of online learning — for students, educators and parents. The QM Community represents over 1,200 committed member institutions. 

This year’s theme, “Committing to Excellence for Learners” — explores using the QM quality assurance system to achieve and maintain quality learning outcomes. The agenda for attendees is to connect with ideas, people and resources. These ideas will provide a path forward to create high-quality, technology-enhanced learning.

“The QM Connect Conference reflects QM’s rigorous approach to quality assurance in online learning. Connecting on fresh ideas, best practices, and data driven policies will move the needle on a global scale. As the collective voice for quality, our conference helps improve and fulfill our online learning promise to students — and that’s what the QM community is all about,” said Dr. Deb Adair, Executive Director for QM.

As educators unite for excellence in student learning, The QM Gives Back annual book fundraiser campaign is underway. Each year, QM partners with a local school in the city where the annual conference is held. This year, QM supports Harlean Beal Elementary School in Ft. Worth. Harlean Beal Elementary serves 445 students from Pre-k through grade 5.

Individuals and groups that exemplify QM’s focus on student learning through the implementation of QM standards, practices and processes that demonstrate impact on student success are recognized at the conference. Recipients of the 2019 QM Making a Difference for Students Awards are:

Outstanding Impact by an Individual: Aamna Nayyar, Santa Fe Community College

Outstanding Impact by an Organization: California State University – East Bay 

Outstanding Impact by a K-12 Organization or Individual: Springfield Public Schools in Missouri

Other leaders recognized this year for contributions in quality assurance include recipients of the Directors’ Award and the Ron Legon Leadership Award for Quality Assurance in Online Education.

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. 

The 2019 Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service representing Higher Education is presented to Bethany Simunich of Kent State University

The 2019 Directors’ Award for Exceptional Service representing K-12 is presented to

Clay Ham of VirtualSC

QM also recognizes individuals for their positive impact on and contributions to quality assurance in online teaching and learning, theories and practices in quality assurance, and innovations to further quality assurance in online education.

The 2019 Ron Legon Leadership Award for  Quality Assurance in Online Education is presented to Dr. Roxann Humbert

The QM Connect conference is a three-day conference featuring more than 100 workshops and sessions illuminating online excellence for learners and educators. The keynote address by Dr. George Siemens highlights how artificial cognitive systems impact how we learn and build knowledge — providing context for meeting the challenge of providing quality learning environments in which students thrive. The Quality Matters conference takes place at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Featured sessions are webcast.

For more information, visit www.qualitymatters.org.

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 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.