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QM 4.1 The instructional materials contribute to the achievement of the stated learning objectives. (Essential)

QM 4.1 The instructional materials contribute to the achievement of the stated learning objectives. (Essential)

Quality Matters (QM) emphasizes the importance of ensuring that instructional materials (textbooks, publisher websites, OER resources, videos, etc.) contribute to the achievement of the stated learning objectives to make sure that every piece of material has a clear purpose and contributes effectively to student learning. Materials that are relevant to the learning objectives make the best use of students' time and institutional resources, and prevents students from getting overwhelmed by extraneous information.

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General Suggestions

  • Materials that are clearly linked to learning objectives are more likely to be viewed as relevant by students, which can increase their engagement and motivation to learn.

  • Instructional materials that align with learning objectives provide a clear basis for assessments. Assessments can then effectively measure whether students have achieved the objectives by referencing the content covered in the materials.

  • Consider both course and module objectives when adopting or reviewing instructional materials for the course. 

Examples

Objective: Identify the major energy molecules produced during cellular respiration and their roles within the cell.

Instructional Materials: 

  • Selected chapters from a comprehensive biology textbook that cover cellular respiration in detail.

  • Online interactive simulations that allow students to manipulate elements of the cellular respiration process to see real-time changes in energy production.

  • Case studies that explore real-world applications of cellular respiration, such as muscle fatigue in athletes or metabolic differences in various organisms.

  • Recent research articles discussing innovations in bioengineering related to maximizing energy production from cellular processes.

Faculty Development Opportunities

eCampus Faculty Development offers several professional development events that can be registered for in CampusGroups. Some specific recommendations that can assist in learning more about this subject include:

  • Intro to Online Course Design

Related Resources