Quality Assurance And Accreditation In Distance Education And E Learning

Quality assurance (QA) in open and distance learning (ODL) can be a contentious issue. Some argue that it should be judged by the same criteria and methods as face-to-face education, while others claim that it is so different in its organization, enrolments and operations that conventional QA mechanisms cannot apply. Some advocate the use of specific guidelines and standards for e-learning; others believe that, regardless of the technology, the basic principles of quality teaching and learning should apply. Providers who have enjoyed freedom from external scrutiny may resist attempts at external regulation and auditing and look upon QA as yet another imposition of corporatization and bureaucracy on education. Others see it as a means of establishing a culture of quality, self-reflection and self-improvement. There is little research-based literature to guide policy-makers, managers and practitioners in applying QA in education and training to ensure the right balance is found between accountability and autonomy, as well as assuring quality for the time and costs involved. In this respect, Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Distance Education and e-Learning is a book that is long overdue. It explains what is involved in QA and accreditation in education. It describes and analyzes applications of these practices in open, distance, dual-mode and conventional universities throughout Europe, North America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific, looking at open schooling, e-learning in conventional schools, non-formal adult and community education, and corporate and small-to-medium enterprises. Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Distance Education and e-Learning is edited and authored by experts with extensive international experience in ODL, e-learning and QA who give careful consideration to the possibilities and challenges involved. The book will be an invaluable guide for all policy-makers, managers, practitioners and researchers in the field.

through the selection of cases from institutions, it covers a wide range of QA systems and perspectives of quality in DE

"Drawing on the knowledge and experience of leading managers, practitioners and researchers, research and case studies, this book provides a unique and comprehensive analysis of Quality Assurance (QA) concepts, approaches, models, issues, practices and research in ODL and ICT worldwide. The book is global in scope and covers both the developed and developing world. It considers the theory, research and practice of policy-making and implementation in QA and accreditation, and also the institutional and cultural acceptability of QA as well as the areas regarded as problematic. With the growth of cross-border education, institutions must provide evidence of the quality of their courses, teaching, learning and management systems for national and international accreditation. This exposes them to rigorous external review and requires their conformity with national and international regulatory environments and benchmarks. It also increases their awareness of, and responsiveness to, national and global quality standards. This edited collection provides policy-makers, ODL researchers, and Higher Education administrators with an invaluable resource on QA and accreditation models and policies from around the World"-- Provided by publisher.

Online distance education continues to grow at a fast pace, even outpacing the overall growth of U.S. higher education. Demands for quality are coming from all shareholders involved. As if caught by surprise, a patchwork response to quality is often the typical organizational response. The result can be inconsistent and uncoordinated levels of value to those invested in online learning. This often promotes negative images of the educational experience and institution.Comprised of highly regarded experts in the field, this edited volume provides a comprehensive overview of quality assurance, a snapshot of current practices and proven recommendations for raising standards of quality in online education.Topics discussed include:* Improving practices for teaching online* Using educational analytics for quality assurance and improvement* Accessibility: An important dimension of quality assurance* Assuring quality in online course design* Assuring quality in learner support, academic resources, advising and counseling* The role and realities of accreditationThis text clearly answers the call for addressing quality from a broad, deep and coordinated understanding. It addresses the complexities of quality assurance in higher education and offers professionals top-shelf advice and support. *This text is also appropriate for students enrolled in Educational Technology and Higher Education Administration Masters and PhD programs

The delivery of quality education to students relies heavily on the actions of an institution’s administrative staff. Effective leadership strategies allow for the continued progress of modern educational initiatives. It is crucial to investigate how effective administrators lead their organizations in challenging and difficult times and promote the accomplishments of their organization. Research Anthology on Preparing School Administrators to Lead Quality Education Programs is a vital reference source that offers theoretical and pedagogical research concerning the management of educational systems on both the national and international scale. It also explores academic administration as well as administrative effectiveness in achieving organizational goals. Highlighting a range of topics such as strategic planning, human resources, and school culture, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for educators, administrators, principals, superintendents, board members, researchers, academicians, policymakers, and students.

Quality Assurance in Distance Education and E-Learning: Challenges and Solutions from Asia documents the existing regulatory framework covering quality assurance (QA) systems in distance education (DE) in a number of Asian countries. It draws on the knowledge and experience of 16 selected DE/e-learning institutions of Asia and reveals the respective development of QA systems and procedures within these providers/programmes. The endeavour towards developing QA systems through various stages of testing and development is in response to the growing public concern for the quality of DE as well as staff aspirations for quality. This book, through the selection of cases from the aforementioned institutions, covers a wide range of QA systems and perspectives of quality in DE. These cases present good practices in QA for DE/e-learning, analyse challenges in assuring the quality of DE products and services, offer possible solutions to meet those challenges, and present lessons for other DE providers.

A Guide to Administering Online Learning provides an overview of tasks to be accomplished in order to direct dynamic online initiatives. Experienced distance learning teachers and administrators share their insights regarding what must be done to administer effective online learning.

This monograph focuses on the research on online learning. It is oriented toward exploring the specific intricacies of learning over the Web. Some very good studies of online learning using the Web are reviewed. The chapters are: (1) "The Explosion of Distance Education"; (2) "The Significance of 'No Significance'"; (3) "Research Basics"; (4) "Research on Technology and Students"; (5) "Research on Faculty and Institutions"; (6) "The Pursuit of Guidelines"; and (7) "Advice to the Confused." (Contains 1 figure, 1 table, and 311 references.) (SLD).