Preparing Your Course for QM Certification:

Internal Course Review as the First Step

SWRK 151: Health Services and Systems

Course Description

Social Work 151 is an upper division elective that fulfills GE Area D. Multiple sections are offered in fall and spring with an enrollment cap of 35. I currently deliver the course synchronously online in a lecture/discussion format using active learning principles. I redesigned two modules during this FLC. One was an introductory module highlighting the major characteristics of the health care system and the other on public health.

Motivation for Preparing My Course for Quality Matters Internal Review

Since the beginning of Covid, I have tried to avail myself of the opportunities CTL has provided to learn how, to do, and improve, online teaching. I see tremendous value in this particular course being offered online due to the high demand between social work and health science majors. Taking this FLC was the next logical step in the series of QM courses I have taken.

Highlighted QM Essential Standards Addressed in Course

SRS 2.4: The relationship between learning objectives or competencies and learning activities is clearly stated.

I have created module level objectives (MOs) that are measurable and consistent with the course level objectives (SRS 2.2). These are featured prominently on each module overview page (SRS 2.3) and linked to the course objectives through a course map system (SRS 2.4). Course objectives (COs) have been numbered on on a dedicated Canvas page and on the syllabus. This numbering is consistent throughout the course so that learners can see how the different elements of the course both connect to each other and to the course and module objectives.

SRS 3.2: The course grading policy is stated clearly at the beginning of the course.

The Start Module that students must complete before they move on in the course includes an "Assignments and Grading" page that explains how weighted grading works, shows the course grade schema, identifies the various assignments and how much their category is weighted, and shows the points of the individual assessments. The late policy for each assignment is also clearly stated.

SRS 3.3: Specific and descriptive criteria are provided for the evaluation of learners’ work, and their connection to the course grading policy is clearly explained.

Assignments have rubrics attached to them that describe expectations for student work. Furthermore, all assignments have point values and are placed in assignment categories that are weighted for the final course grade. Students can see both the category weights and assignment points on the global assignments page or on the "Assignments and Grading" page in the Start Module.

Evidence of QM Standards

Examples of QM standards
SRS 2.4 This is a sample of a module overview page showing the link between MOs and COs and the learning activities to the MOs.	SRS 3.2 This is the full "Assignments and Grading" page that students review before they can continue in the course.	SRS 3.3 Rubrics available for both written assignments and discussion posts.

Plan for Pathway toward QM Certification

My course has a good foundation for QM standards. My main area of work is applying QM across all of the content modules. Things that need to be applied across all modules include the connections between objectives, materials, and activities through the course map. Text explanations may need to be added in some cases. Accessibility is an ongoing endeavor and the immediate need is an accessible syllabus document and ensuring all OCR scans are converted to accessible text. I plan to pick this back up at the end of summer as I prepare fall courses and hope to submit January 2023.

Faculty Bio
	I have been a lecturer in the Division of Social Work since 2013. I am proudly Made at Sac State receiving my BA, MSW, and MS in Criminal Justice here. Prior to returning to Sac State, I spent my professional life as a public policy analyst with a focus on policies affecting people with mental illness. In my off time I enjoy my two dogs, home improvement projects, and anything that has to do with wandering the outdoors. In the words of Tolkien, "Not all those who wander are lost."