Dr. Karen Ramlackhan recognized by Quality Matters for two courses

OLITS is pleased to announce that Dr. Karen Ramlackhan, of USF St. Petersburg’s College of Education, has just received Quality Matters certification for two of her online courses. Her online graduate courses, Foundations of Curriculum (EDG 6627), received certification on September 27, 2019 and Child Development (EDF 6120), received certification on October 7, 2019.

In Foundations of Curriculum, a course that is part of the Master’s of Education program in Educational Leadership at USFSP, Dr. Ramlackhan engages students with the theoretical foundations of curriculum development and implementation and how to utilize this knowledge to address the academic needs of diverse populations of children. In Child Development, students explore an overview of educational, emotional, intellectual, and social factors that influence child growth and development. Throughout the course, Dr. Ramlackhan places an emphasis on diversity and culture, and encourages critical thinking about a variety of topics in public education.

Quality Matters certification involves a rigorous peer review focusing on the quality of course design and alignment  of materials using a rubric of best practices in online and blended learning.

Her courses are now recognized by the Florida Virtual Campus as a High-Quality course and will be listed on the QM database of certified courses.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ramlackhan on this achievement!

Quality Matters Recognizes Dr. Zheng Chen

Please join OLITS in congratulating Dr. Zheng Chen! On October 11, 2019, her online course, Human Resources Management (MAN 3301), received Quality Matters Certification.

In this course, Dr. Chen engages students in a broad exposure to new approaches, techniques, and future trends in the management of personnel.

Dr. Chen shares that working closely with OLITS on this process is a “must.”

Her course is now recognized by the Florida Virtual Campus as a High-Quality course and will be listed on the QM database of certified courses.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Quality Matters Recognizes Dr. Alison Watkins

On September 9, 2019, Dr. Alison Watkins received Quality Matters Certification for her online course, Business Application Development, ISM 3232. Please join OLITS in congratulating Dr. Watkins on this significant achievement!

In Business Application Development, Dr. Watkins engages students in applying good programming practice and writing computer programs in C#. Her course is now listed on the QM database of certified courses and will also be recognized by the Florida Virtual Campus as a “High Quality” course.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Quality Matters Recognizes Dr. Sharon Segrest

Please join OLITS in congratulating Dr. Sharon Segrest! On August 22, 2019, her online course, Organizational Behavior (MAN 6244), received Quality Matters Certification.

Organizational Behavior is a core course for the Master of Business Administration program at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s Kate Tiedemann College of Business. Through conceptual and experiential learning, Dr. Segrest provides students a framework within which they can understand how managers and subordinates interact by focusing on the characteristics of individuals and groups within organizations

Dr. Segrest shares the following advice with faculty preparing courses for QM review:

I would highly recommend the quality matters process to everyone, as it has definitely helped to improve my course. Fortunately, working with Karla Morris, and Carol Fisher have made the process much more manageable, and I recommend that others take advantage of the wonderful services available through the OLITS when pursuing the Quality Matters certification.

In addition to the QM process, the USFSP Online Teaching Certification program developed by OLITS was excellent, and helped me to learn so much useful information that I have used to improve my online courses.

Her course is now recognized by the Florida Virtual Campus as a “High Quality” course and will be listed on the QM database of certified courses.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Professor Patricia Gaukel Receives Second QM Course Certification

On August 21, 2019, Professor Patricia Gaukel received Quality Matters Certification for her online course, Managerial Accounting, ACG 2071. Another of her online courses, Cost Accounting and Control II, ACG 4351, received QM Certification in June of 2017.

Congratulations to Professor Gaukel on her continued commitment to high quality online learning experiences for her students!

When asked about her experience with taking two courses through the QM Review process, she shared:

The second time through was definitely easier, as I incorporated the changes from the first review into all my courses.  I think they liked the variety of technology used in the course – chapter videos, explanatory videos, Accounting Lab, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Canvas practice quizzes and discussion posts.  Working with OLITS is the key to getting a course QM certified.

In Managerial Accounting, Professor Gaukel engages students through a variety of learning activities to prepare for the accountant’s role in assisting management in the planning and controlling of business activities. This course is now listed on the QM database of certified courses and will also be recognized by the Florida Virtual Campus as a “High Quality” course.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Quality Matters Recognizes Dr. Philip Trocchia

Please join OLITS in congratulating Dr. Philip Trocchia of USF St. Petersburg’s Kate Tiedemann College of Business! On August 16, 2019, his online course, Retail Management (MAR 6936), received Quality Matters Certification.

Retail Management is offered as part of the Master of Business Administration program at USF St. Petersburg’s Kate Tiedemann College of Business. In this course, Dr. Trocchia engages students around the massive transformation in retailing. Students examine the impact of online purchasing and information search, social media, data analytics, and the sharing economy on brick and mortar, non-store, and omnichannel retailers.

His course is now listed on the QM database of certified courses and will also be recognized by the Florida Virtual Campus as a “High Quality” course.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Dr. V. Mark Durand Receives Third Quality Matters Course Recognition

On April 22, 2019, Dr. V. Mark Durand received Quality Matters Certification for his third online course, Motivation: The Science of Happiness, EXP 4304. Please join us in congratulating him!

In this course, Dr. Durand guides students through important and fascinating new research on the brain as well as investigations of larger questions about positive thinking, character strengths, wellness and interpersonal relationships. He challenges students to personally apply some of the techniques covered in class with the goal of making their lives happier and more fulfilling.

His other QM Certified courses include: Autism Spectrum Disorders, DEP 4220 (certified on September 7, 2016) and Abnormal Psychology, CLP 4143 (certified on April 27, 2016).

Dr. Durand shares the following thoughts about his experiences with the QM review process:

Going through a Quality Matters review requires you to think through many aspects regarding how your course is delivered and how students learn. From accessibility for students with disabilities to communication with students, it covers a multitude of aspects that improve the online experience for students.

The incredibly hard work and skills of Karla Morris and Caylen Holmes made it much easier to go through this complicated process. They were outstanding and always positive about their work. I am extremely grateful to them and the success of this course with Quality Matters shows that they were invaluable to this outcome.

His course is now listed on the QM database of certified courses and will also be recognized in the Florida Virtual Campus public course catalog as a “High Quality” course.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Quality Matters Recognizes Professor Fred Bennett

Please join OLITS in congratulating Professor Fred Bennett of USF St. Petersburg’s Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership! On April 10, 2019, his online course, Leadership Fundamentals (LDR 2010), received Quality Matters Certification.

Leadership Fundamentals is the introductory course for the Leadership Studies Program. In this course, Professor Bennett engages students with a broad range of leadership topics including self development, diversity, communications, conflict resolution, group roles, teamwork, decision-making, ethics, organizational design and change, and community building and renewal. 

Professor Bennett shares the following advice with faculty preparing courses for QM review:

Follow the advice of those who are guiding you through the process, particularly our USF team.  Keep an open mind about your course, and remember it is about the students.

It is a great thing to take ownership of your course and have pride in what you have built.  However, that can come with some resistance to constructive commentary designed to improve the course.  There were things I thought were wonderful about my course.  However, looking at it through the eyes of another helped me to see the improvements I needed to make.  Being open to change was helpful right up to the end.

I had a wonderful QM review team and the recommended changes they gave me to make it over the final hurdle really put the finishing polish on the course.

His course is now listed on the QM database of certified courses and will also be recognized in the Florida Virtual Campus public course catalog as a “High Quality” course.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Quality Matters Recognizes Dr. Martin Seggelke

On February 27, 2019, Dr. Martin Seggelke received Quality Matters Certification for his online course, Music and Culture: A Historical Overview of Western Classical Music, MUL 2010. Please join us in congratulating him!

Through this course, Dr. Seggelke helps prepare students to appreciate and critically evaluate music of various styles, genres and time periods. Students engage with readings, critical listening, studies, research, discussions, lectures, assignments, awareness, and writing essays/critiques to learn about many different facets of music.

His course is now listed on the QM database of certified courses and will also be recognized in the Florida Virtual Campus public course catalog as a “High Quality” course.

If you are interested in preparing your course for Quality Matters review, contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information.

Dr. Barbara Jolley Receives Quality Matters Re-Certification

Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services (OLITS) is happy to announce that, on February 28, 2019, Dr. Barbara Jolley received Quality Matters re-certification for her online course, Twentieth Century Literature (LIT 3155). Her course received its initial QM certification on January 2, 2014.

This is the first course to be re-certified in USFSP’s College of Arts and Sciences. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Jolley!

The initial QM certification resulting from a peer review is valid for five years. The re-certification review, which follows the most recent rubric and set of standards, is valid for an additional three years.

Dr. Jolley shares the following advice with colleagues:

“QM certified courses need to re-certified every five years.  Please, follow the advice of and work closely with instructional media designers.  Karla, Otis, Stephanie and other Instructional designers on the team are our treasures: they will help you and guide you through the process :). Here, I would like to thank Karla specifically: this was our team work; her work on the submitted course has been invaluable 🙂  Thank you, Karla, from the depth of my heart :); Since the standard change every few years, it is also good not only to be familiar with the set of standard as you design your courses but also to take course on updated versions, which are offered before the most recent version is published.”

We look forward to working with other faculty who will take their courses through the initial and/or re-certification review process in the near future. Contact Online Learning and Instructional Technology Services for more information about Quality Matters.