82 Impact of Applying Quality Matters Essential Standards in an Animal Science Physiology Course

Abstract

Abstract Quality Matters (QM) program consists of a stringent course quality peer-review process designed to give faculty feedback on the structure of online/hybrid courses which results in the national certification by the QM organization (Lynch and Gaston, 2020). The objective of this pedagogical study was to quantify student perceptions of online learning experience by utilizing 8 specific standards of course quality in a QM-certified, 3 credit hour, Physiology of Domestic Animals course. A total of 46 students out of 114 enrolled, completed an anonymous Qualtrics survey at the end of the course in Spring 2022 (IRB 24779). The survey consisted of 21 questions broken into the 8 general standards of Course Overview and Introduction (2 questions) Learning Objectives (5 questions), Assessment and Measurement (3 questions), Instructional Materials (2 questions), Learner Interaction and Engagement (3 questions), Course Technology (2 questions), Learner Support (2 Questions), Accessibility and Usability (2 Questions). Each question used a Likert Scale from 0 to 4 for responses; 0 (Strongly Disagree), 1 (Disagree), 2 (Neutral), 3 (Agree), and 4 (Strongly Agree). A multivariate data analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to summarize perception of the studnets on QM standards that had the most impact on their online learning experience. About 81.16% of the data variance was explained by the first five PCs together where we retained Eigen values greater than 1. Students strongly agreed that Course Overview & Introduction, Learning Objectives, Instructional materials, Learner Support and Course Technology were a critical part of their online learning in the course. Over 8.7% students disagreed and strongly disagreed to Assessments and Measurement being a key part of their hybrid learning experience. The results clearly indicate that applying QM standards to a content heavy, required core course for animal science students significantly improved the student learning experience at NC State University.