A Quality Matters Syllabus

Quality Matters (QM) is “a faculty-centered, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online courses and online components.” CCC uses Quality Matters as framework for quality throughout the course design process, from start to finish, revisiting the quality standards along the way to make sure we are on track to creating a high-quality course. The QM Rubric helps us define and successfully design high-quality courses. One of the first course components we create is the syllabus, which serves as framework or foundation for all of the other course components that need to be included. The QM Rubric helps us make sure we include all the important pieces.

When you create or copy a syllabus, you will be asked to:

Name the syllabus (this is for organizational purposes only and does not appear on the student syllabus.)
Term (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
Begin and End Date of term.

QM has outlined several items that should be included in the syllabus.

In your profile, you have the option to complete the following:

Phone number
Mobile phone number
Office hours/office location
Additional instructor information
Learner supplies
- any required supplies that the student must have in your course.
Grading information
- The CCC grade scale is already in the course.
  - **Note - The CCC grade scale may be different then the high school grade scale. The CCC grade scale will be used for the student's CCC final grade.
- Instructor Grading Information, according to QM, should be, “A clear, written statement fully explaining how the course grades are calculated. The points, percentages, and weights for each component of the course grade are clearly stated.” Some examples may be:
  - A list of all activities, tests, etc. that will determine the final grade
  - An explanation of the relationship between the final course letter grade and the learner’s accumulated points and/or percentages
  - An explanation of the relationship between points and percentages, if both are used
  - A clear statement on point deductions for assignments submitted late
  - A statement that provides learners with clear guidance on the instructor’s expectations and on the required components of coursework and participation.
  - A description of how the learners’ participation in discussions will be graded, including the number of required postings per week; the criteria for evaluating the originality and quality of learners’ comments and their responsiveness to classmates’ comments; and the grade or credit learners can expect for varying levels of performance.
  - Response time of feedback to learners on assignments, grades, discussion postings and e-mails.
    - As a minimum, CCC’s current guideline as stated in the WIDS/Learning Management System Operating Manual, is as follows: Respond to student e-mails and messages within two days (excluding weekends, holidays and breaks). It is recommended that instructors communicate grades and feedback to students within seven days (excluding holidays and breaks) of assignment deadline.
Guidelines

Learners are better able to manage their course activities when they know upfront the expectations of the instructor.
- - CCC approved guidelines are automatically included in your syllabus. They are:
    - Americans with Disabilities Act
    - Archiving of Student Work
    - Expectations for Academic Integrity
    - Attendance- Online, Face-to-Face, Hybrid
    - Course Meeting Time and Location
    - Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
    - General Information
    - Technology Usage Guidelines
    - Title IX Policy
  - Other examples you may include:
    - Attendance expectations
    - Instructor’s expectations of student and what the student can expect of the instructor
    - Late assignment/homework/revision practices
    - External/Publisher website information and expectations
    - Cell phone expectations
    - Exam practices
    - Etiquette expectations
    - Assignment/discussion/homework requirement or expectations