Dr. Jason Xiong, an assistant professor of computer information systems in Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business, has earned his Teaching Online Certificate from Quality Matters (QM), a nationally recognized, faculty-driven peer-review process used to ensure the quality of online and blended course design.
The certificate enables instructors like Dr. Xiong to demonstrate mastery of online teaching through seven workshops that offer the experience of learning online from the student's perspective.
Dr. Xiong, who teaches both undergraduate and graduate business courses in the Walker College, collaborated with Appalachian's Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), which offers the program to up to 12 App State faculty members each year.
Also with CAE support, Dr. Xiong has attained QM Course Certification for MBA 5200: Problem Analysis and Quantitative Methods. A QM-certified course is an online or blended course that has met QM Standards for a QM Rubric in an Official Course Review. Once certified, organizations can display the QM Certification Mark to demonstrate their commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
The course, which Dr. Xiong developed through the program, is the first QM-certified course in the Walker College of Business and the tenth at Appalachian.
Dr. Xiong said that CAE staff members Greg Simmons, the Walker College's CAE instructional technology consultant, and Emory Maiden, CAE's associate director for online learning and quality assurance, provided "tremendous support this past year to get this course certified."
CAE offers up to six faculty members to participate in the program each year, with a goal to rethink, redesign and apply online pedagogy in the design and development of a high-quality online course.
"This is an important step toward a QM-certified MBA program," said Walker College Acting Dean Sandra Vannoy. "The continued development of our online MBA will help Appalachian meet the needs of our students."
MBA 5200 provides students the quantitative analysis tools required for managerial decision-making and covers quantitative concepts such as decision-making under uncertainty, optimization models and applications, and computer simulation with an emphasis on business applications of quantitative methods using computer software and models.
About Appalachian State University's MBA Program
Appalachian State University's MBA Program provides educational experiences to prepare our students for life-long learning and professional leadership responsibilities in a dynamic global environment. The program provides individualized attention through extensive student-faculty collaboration and offers frequent networking and team building opportunities. Flexible programming allows each student to receive the best educational experience possible through full-time on-campus or part-time online programs. For more information, visit mba.appstate.edu.
About App State Online
Recognized as one of the top online education destinations in the country by U.S. News and World Report, App State Online (formerly known as Distance Education) is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, Appalachian State University offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs through three modes of teaching delivery: online, hybrid or classroom-based at off-campus centers. Learn more at online.appstate.edu.
Xiong demonstrates mastery of online teaching through individual and course certifications from Quality Matters
Jason Xiong, Appalachian State University