Preparing Your Course for QM Certification:

Four Standards

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GERO 123: Research on Aging & the Life Course

Course Description

GERO 123 is an online, asynchronous GE Area B course that enrolls approximately 100 students every semester.

**Motivation for Preparing Your Course for QM Certification: 4 Standards Participation**

This is the second semester I have participated in this FLC. I am working towards getting this course QM-certified.

Alignment or Engagement Changes Addressed in Course

This semester, I focused on Standard 2-5 which are all related to course alignment. I developed and refined a course map (matrix) that lays out the course learning objectives, topics covered, module objectives, assessments, materials, and learning activities. This exercise deepened my thinking about what I want students to learn and how I can help them achieve and demonstrate these learning objectives. Along the way, I identified the need to revise some course learning objectives (this will require a course change) and made some changes to learning activities and assignments to better align them with the revised objectives. Once this course map is finalized, I will post it in the Canvas course page.

Evidence of Redesign

Evidence of Redesign
Learning Objectives	Learning Assessment	Instructional Materials	Course Map
Reviewed and revised course learning objectives	Reviewed and revised learning assessment tools to make them more interactive and better aligned with learning objectives	Added instructional videos and examples to assessments to provide students with more guidance	Completed course map illustrating alignment of learning objectives, assessment tools, instructional materials, and learning activities

Plan for Pathway toward QM Certification

I plan to continue refining the course map and online course over the summer. I hope to be ready to submit the course for QM certification review by Fall 2025.

Faculty Bio
	My name is Catheryn Koss, and I teach Gerontology here at Sacramento State University. Before I became a professor at Sac State, I practiced elder law for a small non-profit organization. I have both a law degree (JD) and a PhD and am happy to chat with students about going to law school or earning a graduate degree. I enjoy traveling, doing crossword puzzles, watching movies, and hanging out with my dog, Larry.