Member Success Stories, Research and More

Looking for a recording or miss a session?

See a list of all archived recordings. If you're a QM Member, you can access video links in MyQM in the Reference Library.

Have an idea for a QM Success Story? Email QM's Registrar for Higher Ed.

QM Success Stories

There is no substitute for experience! Your colleagues who have experience meeting QM's rigorous course design Standards and implementing QM on their campuses can provide you with valuable insights and experience. "QM Success Stories" webinars are presented by your colleagues and fellow members. They will share their experiences on topics like these and more: 

• How do I create a plan for implementing QM at my organization?
• What does a course look like that has met QM Standards?

The sessions are scheduled once per month and are FREE for members only! Space is limited to the first 1000 registrants. You can register once and view the webinar with colleagues. The webinars are also live captioned! Can't make it? All QM Success Stories are recorded and available to subscribers approximately two weeks after the session via the Reference Library link located in MyQM.

• May 21, 2025

  Designing for Gen Z: How Quality Matters was Made for Gen Z Learners

  Presented by Dr. Shannon Stoker, Associate Director of Instructional Development and Course Design at Tarleton State University

  Born between approximately 1997 and 2012, Generation Z now dominates our college campuses, including the online classroom. These digital natives are comfortable texting, playing a game, and watching Tik Tok, all while completing their coursework. This presentation will examine the contextual factors that shape Generation Z learners and how the implementation of Quality Matters Standards can foster a successful learning environment for all students in our college classrooms.

  Webinar begins at 3:00 p.m. ET, 2:00 p.m. CT, 1:00 p.m. MT, 12:00 p.m. PT

  Register HE

  Register K-12

  Register CPE
• June 17, 2025

  Optimizing Online Learning: Bridging UDL, Cognitive Load Theory, and Usability

  Presented by Amy Grincewicz, Director of Instructional Design - ACCBE at Kent State University

  Explore how integrating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) principles enhances the usability and effectiveness of online lectures, promoting inclusive and engaging learning experiences.

  Webinar begins at 2:00 p.m. ET, 1:00 p.m. CT, 12:00 p.m. MT, 11:00 a.m. PT

  Register HE

  Register K-12

  Register CPE
• July 16, 2025

  Overcoming Academic Freedom Objections to QM

  Presented by Amy Heston, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at Walsh University; Stephen Kaufman, Senior Instructional DesignerStrategic Initiatives Coordinator at University of Akron; and Brenda Boyd, Vice President of Quality Standards & Evaluation at Quality Matters

  Faculty resistance to using the QM Rubric is often framed in the context of "Academic Freedom" however, the QM Rubric supports faculty choice and academic freedom. Join us for this interactive session that will give instructional designers techniques and tactics to overcome this common objection to using the QM Rubric.

  Webinar begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. PT

  Register HE

  Register K-12

  Register CPE

Looking for a recording or miss a session?

Watch recordings on our YouTube playlist. 

Online Learning Webinars

Join QM and special guests for periodic webinars on a variety of topics related to building success with QM, online learning and professional growth.
The webinars are free and open to QM Members as well as non-members.

• May 6, 2025

  Designing for Growth: A Continuous Improvement Journey with DesignPLUS

  Presented by Laura Osgood, Director of Learning Technologies in the Office of Information Technology at Florida SouthWestern State College, and Stefanie Tate, Product Marketing Manager at Cidi Labs

  Join us for an in-depth exploration of how Florida SouthWestern State College is transforming online course design through a culture of continuous improvement and strategic integration of Quality Matters standards. This session traces the evolution of course templates from 2023 to 2025, highlighting the role of Cidi Labs’ DesignPLUS tools in streamlining alignment, fostering institutional consistency, and enhancing the student experience. Discover how design competitions, student feedback loops, and collaborative webinar watch parties are shaping a dynamic learning environment–where courses are easier to build, harder to break, and intentionally designed for success.

  Webinar begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. PT

  Register
• May 30, 2025

  Using AI to Generate Engaging Course Content

  Presented by Lisa Byrnes, Instructional Designer, Kathleen Morgan, Instructional Designer, and Penny Ralston-Berg, Senior Instructional Designer, from Penn State World Campus

  This is a webinar for educators and instructional designers. It will unveil key strategies for creating compelling online course content, focusing on storytelling, multimedia integration, and the application of learning theories. Discover how to leverage Custom GPT for personalized learning scenarios and image AI tools for captivating visuals. Attendees will gain practical insights into enhancing learner engagement in their online courses.

  Please note:  Due to overwhelming response and registration for this webinar, all participants who join over the 1000 limit will be directed to our YouTube live stream.  The recording will also be made available as well.

  Webinar begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. PT

  Register
• June 4, 2025

  Beyond a Checklist: Authentic Learner Interactivity and Assessment in the Age of AI

  Presented by Marcus Popetz, CEO/Founder of Harmonize; Sheri L. Prupis, Ph.D. Director, Teaching & Learning at Technology Virginia Community Colleges; and Heather M. Brown, Ph.D. Instructional Designer at Tidewater Community College 

  Learner interaction is a key element of quality online learning — but as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, new challenges have arisen for educators trying to keep interaction and assessment authentic. How can we ensure that learner engagement remains meaningful amidst concerns about bots, academic integrity and more?

  This webinar will explore how QM principles and learner interaction strategies can help guide us in maintaining authentic student interactivity, with a focus on ways in which AI and third-party tools can be leveraged to build more interactive activities into online courses. Whether you’re an instructor struggling with AI-generated responses or a distance education leader looking for effective strategies, this session will provide practical insights to enhance authentic learning experiences.

  Webinar begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. PT

  Register

Looking for a recording or miss a session?

See a list of all archived recordings. 

Have an idea for a Research Webinar? Contact the Research team.

Research Webinars

Join the QM Research Colleagues and other researchers from the QM Community for presentations of research on the impact of quality assurance in online learning and other related topics.

The webinars are free and open to QM Members as well as non-members.

May 15, 2025 — 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern
From Automation to Transformation: AI Strategies for Personalized, Engaging and Inclusive Online Course Design

Presented by Dr. Siobahn Day Grady, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research and Assistant Professor & Program Director of Information Science at North Carolina Central University and Dr. Racheal Brooks, Ph.D., Director of Quality Assurance Implementation Solutions at QM.

Join Dr. Grady and Dr. Brooks for an interactive webinar celebrating the release of the latest Quality Matters white paper, From Automation to Transformation: AI Strategies for Personalized, Engaging, and Inclusive Online Course Design. In this session, participants will explore how AI can be used not only to streamline online learning — but to elevate it. Designed for educators, instructional designers and academic leaders, this conversation will highlight key insights from the paper and offer practical strategies for using AI to support learner success, fairness and innovation. 

Webinar begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. PT