Quality Design initiative
The Quality Design Initiative supports high-quality online course design through the Quality Matters Higher Education Course Design Rubric, 7th edition. GCSC conducts QM-validated internal reviews for Quality Matters Foundational Design Recognition. The initiative uses a structured peer review process and offers incentive payments to faculty whose courses meet established quality and accessibility standards. Trained peer reviewers evaluate course alignment with the 22 Essential Specific Review Standards and provide constructive, student-centered feedback on course design. This page explains the peer review process, review-ready requirements, and incentive eligibility.
- Request a Canvas development course from ITS (do not work in a live course).
- Attend the IYOC workshop to earn a Credly badge and training certificate from QM.
- Create your Course Improvement Plan and Course Map.
- Login to MyQM and navigate to MyCR to start a Self-Review.
- Use the GCSC QM Essentials Rubric (2026).
- Select "Internal" as the review type.
- Run TidyUp then UDOIT in your development course.
- Address accessibility errors to meet the 90% or better UDOIT Course Accessibility Score.
- Use your Course Improvement Plan to prioritize revisions.
- Request feedback from Instructional Designers and peer mentors as needed.
- Teach the revised course for one semester.
- Update your self-review to confirm the course is review-ready.
- Complete the two-step peer review application.
- Login to MyQM and go to MyCR.
- Complete "Start a Review Application."
- Complete a "Custom Worksheet" with all requested attachments.
- Refer to the QM Peer Review Application and Worksheet job aid; use the updated rubric for (2026).
- Watch the support video for more guidance.
QMC and Chair Actions
- The Quality Matters Coordinator (QMC) is notified by the system when you submit your review worksheet in MyCR.
- If the worksheet and course map are complete, the QMC assigns the Chair and Peer Reviewer. You will receive an automated notification of the team selection from QM.
- The Chair schedules the initial meeting with you and the Peer Reviewer.
Faculty Actions
- Invite the Chair and Peer Reviewer to your development course with the role "Designer."
- Obtain student-level accounts from publishers for reviewers to access publisher materials.
- Follow instructions from the QMC and Chair.
Review
- The review team first evaluates the Course Map for alignment, then reviews the alignment, interaction, and accessibility standards.
- If those standards are not met at 85%, the review will be closed.
- The review team completes the review of the remaining standards.
- The review team drafts and shares the final report with you.
Debrief
- The chair schedules a follow-up meeting.
- You will be prompted by QM and the Chair to complete the Review Outcome Response Form and survey.
h3
A course must meet all requirements below before you submit it for peer review:
- Course Map is complete with course objectives, learning materials, learning activities, and assessments.
- Your self-review in QM MyCR indicates that you meet all 22 Essential standards.
- UDOIT Course Accessibility Score is 90% or better to meet federal requirements.
- Weekly Regular and Substantive Interactions are planned and documented to meet federal requirements.
Courses that do not meet these requirements will be returned for revision prior to review.
Faculty members are eligible for an incentive payment, based on the submission date, their date of hire, and whether it is the first or subsequent review. The actual payment is processed after the faculty member has successfully completed the QM peer review process. Please refer to the guidelines below.
- New faculty members hired by August 1 will have until January 15 of the following year (3 semesters) for $1000 and August 15 (4 semesters) for $500 for their first peer review.
- After those deadlines and for subsequent reviews, all faculty are eligible for a $250 incentive payment per successful course review.