With a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction and concentration on instructional design and educational technology, Dr. Yaping Gao has over 25 years' experience in higher education both in China and in USA as faculty, instructional designer, LMS manager, and online education administrator. In her current position as Senior Academic Director of Quality Matters, USA, Dr. Gao oversees and leads member services, external collaborations and international partnerships. Dr. Gao earned her doctoral degree from Baylor University, Texas, USA, and her Master and Bachelor degrees from Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China.

Quality Matters (QM) is an international, US-based non-profit organization specializing in standards, processes and professional development for quality assurance in online and blended learning. QM tools and resources are regularly revised to reflect current research and best practices. When you see QM Certification Marks on courses or programs, it means they have met QM Course Design Standards or QM Program Review Criteria in a rigorous review process.

Can a USA-based and research-supported approach to quality assurance in online and blended learning, adopted by over 1100 institutions, be adapted to educational environments outside of USA and in non-English speaking regions? What adaptations are needed in order for the quality assurance approach to be applicable to international education communities that are vastly different culturally and pedagogically?

The speaker will share their experience working with various higher education institutions in non-English speaking communities and highlight strategies and considerations in establishing collaborations to internationalize USA-based standards and contribute to quality assurance for online and blended learning globally.