Five key characteristics of an effective recommendation are outlined:
1. Offer constructive solutions to identifiable issues that will help the course meet quality standards. Examples should be included.
2. Include a specific example from the course to support the recommendation.
3. Recommendations should provide indicators or measures so the designer knows when an improvement is implemented.
4. Keep the tone positive by using phrases like "You may want to consider".
5. Point out strengths as well as areas for improvement, such as "The start here button was a great idea, but here are ways it could be improved". Effective feedback is important to improving course quality.
3. Offer constructive solutions
to identifiable issues that
will help the course meet
the QM standards
Example:
It might be very helpful to include a prominent link and
directions about what students should do next to actually
begin the first lesson of the course.
4. Include a specific example
of the recommendation
based on evidence from
the course
Example:
The Start Here button was a great
idea, but it seemed to contain mostly
course information and I still couldnt tell
exactly how to begin the course once I
finished reading it.
5. Offer recommendations
that provide indicators
or measures so the
designer will know
when an improvement
has been implemented
Example:
It might be very helpful to include a prominent link and
directions about what students should do next to
actually begin the first lesson of the course.
6. Be sensitive to how your
message will be received.
Keep comments on a
positive note.
Examples:
You may want to consider
It would be helpful if
You might indicate
It might be useful to
Id like to suggest
7. Point out strengths as
well as areas of
improvement.
Example:
The Start Here button was a great
ideabut here are some ways it
might be improved
8. WRITE!
FEEDBACK IS THE KEY TO QUALITY COURSES!
WHEN A COURSE DOES NOT MEET A STANDARD, YOU MUST
WRITE A RECOMMENDATION FOR IMPROVEMENT ON THAT
STANDARD.
EVEN WHEN COURSES MEET EXPECTATIONS, THERE MAY STILL
BE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND AS THE
COURSE REVIEWER,YOU SHOULD STRIVE TO OFFER
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
THE FACULTY DEVELOPERS & INSTRUCTORS
NEED THE HELP OF THE REVIEW TEAM TO MAKE
EFFECTIVE MODIFICATIONS
9. QM: Quality Matters Workbook & Handouts. (1997)
www.qmprogram.org
Images retrieved from Google Images
Editor's Notes
A QM Reviewer has the complex responsibility to examine and make decisions regarding the alignment of a course to the QM Rubric but, more importantly, that reviewer has the obligation of effecting change in that course by being part of a team that provides helpful recommendations to the course instructor/designer during a QM review. Lets look at the characteristics of writing an effectiveQM recommendation.
The five characteristics of writing an effective recommendation when conducting a Quality Matters Review are:1. Be Constructive, 2. Be Specific,3. Provide measurable recommendations, 4. Be sensitive in your use of language, and 5. Provide balanced comments. Lets take a closer look at each of these characteristics.