It’s Quality Matters Monday! Each Monday, we highlight a Quality Matters standard and review its importance in an online course and how we evaluate this
standard.

Today, we are reviewing Quality Matters Standards 4.6.

General Standard 4 addresses the inclusion of instructional materials that enable learners to achieve the stated learning objectives or competencies.

Click here to view Quality Matters Standard 4.6 in the Quality Matters Rubric.
This standard specifically addresses that a distinction between required and optional materials is clearly explained.

QM Standard 4.6 states: “Clear explanations are provided to student regarding which materials and resources are required and which are optional.” It’s
important to make sure students know what is required of them. It is best practice to explicitly state whether quizzes and assignments are required or
optional.

AP suggests including this information in the course calendar under the “Notes/Reminders” column. This way, students will know exactly what they need to
complete. If all materials and assessments are required, it is a good idea to include this information in the syllabus and/or course calendar. Please see
the following article: http://facultyecommons.org/helpful-strategies-and-tips-readings/

Click here to access Quality Matters eLearning Marketplace.
The Quality Matters eLearning Marketplace is a free, searchable database built to serve the broad QM community with an easy-to-use eLearning
product/service directory organized within the 8 general standards of the rubric as well as by user and product categories.