The QM Advantage: Enhancing Teaching, Learning, and Success
at UAMS
Adopting Quality Matters standards at UAMS offers substantial benefits, creating a positive ripple effect that enhances your teaching experience, improves student learning outcomes, and strengthens our institution’s commitment to educational excellence. Discover how engaging with QM can make a difference.
Benefits for UAMS Faculty
Streamline Your Course Design
Clearer, More Organized Courses
Utilize the QM Rubric as an effective, practical tool to design well-structured online courses that are easier for students to navigate.
Reduce Student Confusion
A well-designed course minimizes student questions about logistics, freeing up your time.
Build Confidence
Gain skills and confidence in your ability to design high-quality online learning experiences.
Enhance Your Teaching
Increased Effectiveness
Develop foundational knowledge and self-efficacy for teaching effectively online, with insights often applicable to face-to-face settings as well.
Focus on What Matters Most
With course structure clarified, dedicate more energy to meaningful interactions, feedback, and fostering deeper learning with your students.
Grow Professionally
Constructive Feedback
Receive valuable, supportive feedback on your course design through a collegial peer review process aimed at improvement.
Broader Perspective
Gain new insights by reviewing courses or seeing your own course through the QM lens, helping identify potential “blind spots”.
Benefits for UAMS Students
A Clearer Path to Success
Reduced Confusion, More Learning
Students in QM-aligned courses report less confusion, allowing them to focus their time and energy on mastering course content.
Purposeful Design
Experience courses where activities, materials, and assessments are clearly aligned with learning outcomes, making the learning journey more coherent.
Easier Navigation
Benefit from clear expectations, transparent policies, and logical course organization.
More Engaging Learning
Active Participation
Engage more deeply through courses designed to foster interaction with content, the instructor, and peers. Research links higher engagement with better outcomes.
Better Support and Access
Accessible Support
Easily find information about crucial academic and technical support services provided by UAMS.
Inclusive Design
Learn in courses designed with accessibility and usability for all students, including those with disabilities, as a priority.
Improved Outcomes
Measurable Results
Studies suggest QM implementation can correlate with higher grades, better completion rates, and increased student satisfaction. Faculty QM training is also linked to improved student perceptions of interaction.
QM in the Health Sciences at UAMS
The principles of Quality Matters are particularly valuable in the demanding context of health sciences education. Clear course structure, well-defined learning objectives, accessible materials, and opportunities for meaningful interaction are critical when students are mastering complex medical knowledge, preparing for clinical practice, or engaging in interprofessional learning. QM provides a framework to ensure your online and blended courses effectively support these rigorous educational demands at UAMS.
Benefits for UAMS
Demonstrates Quality Commitment
Signals UAMS’s strong commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in online and blended learning.
Supports Accreditation
Provides valuable evidence and documentation for institutional and program accreditation processes.
Enhances Reputation
Distinguishes UAMS programs, particularly in the competitive health sciences field, showcasing our dedication to quality online education.
Fosters Innovation
Aligns with the UAMS Office of Educational Development’s and Educators Academy’s goals of fostering educational innovation and high-quality teaching.
Benefits Matrix Table
| Stakeholder | Key Benefit Category | Specific Benefits at UAMS (Supported by Evidence) |
|---|---|---|
| UAMS Faculty | Course Design & Quality | Improved course organization, clarity; effective, practical design tools. |
| Teaching Experience | Increased self-efficacy; foundational knowledge; focus on higher-level interactions. | |
| Professional Growth | Constructive, collegial feedback; broader perspective; skills applicable beyond online. | |
| UAMS Students | Learning Experience | Reduced confusion; more time on learning; clear expectations; enhanced engagement. |
| Support & Accessibility | Improved access to support; courses designed for accessibility. | |
| Outcomes | Potential for higher grades, completion, satisfaction; enhanced perception of interaction. | |
| UAMS Institution | Reputation & Standards | Demonstrated quality commitment; support for accreditation; distinction in marketplace. |
| Culture & Development | Fostering continuous improvement culture; alignment with Educators Academy goals. |