the quaility dilemma in online education revisited
TRANSCRIPT
TPOL Chapter 13Narrated Presentation
© 2010 Norm Ivey
The Quality Dilemma in Online Education RevisitedNancy Parker, Ph.D.Athabasca University
Summary
• Definitions of Quality• Quality is in the Eye of the Beholder• Quality in Education vs. Quality in
Manufacturing/Business/Engineering
Summary• Online courses and face-
to face course are different
• Approaches to QCoOnline Consumer
Protection GuidesoStudent ReviewsoGovernment or Semi-
Autonomous AgenciesoSelf/Peer Review
Response
• I had not considered all the issues surrounding quality control.
• Open Universities and Web 2.0 change the face of quality control
Response• Defining Quality is (somewhat)
an issue.• My definition:
o Does a participant have the necessary skills and tools to use the knowledge gained in a manner useful to himself/herself or useful to society?
o Has the participant achieved the stated goals of the course?
Response• Accreditation
o Must be similar to accreditation for face-to-face course quality to some extent
o Must recognize the uniqueness of online learning No longer a fixed body of
knowledge Collaborative nature of
online learning o Accreditation by course as
opposed to by institution
Response
• Benchmarks and Standards oNecessary for public accountabilityoNecessary for comparative analysis
Response
• Market Forceso Courses from
vendors must exhibit quality and rigor to be successful
o Consumer feedback must be part of the equation
Conclusion
• All QC mechanisms must be considered during design phase
• The flexibility of online design allows for correcting quality concerns mid-course
• The ultimate barometer of quality is whether the consumer finds the experience valuable.
Picture Credits
• Oreo Picture: http://www.davesmock.com/blog08nov/110908quality-control.jpg• Quality Control Scales:
http://w4.stern.nyu.edu/sternbusiness/spring_2007/qualityControl.jpg• Face-to-face computing: http://thejournal.com/images/vault/a3407.gif• World Map:
http://www.outline-world-map.com/map-images-original/outline-blank-transparent-world-map-b1b.png• Web 2.0 Montage: http://grizzlymedia.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/web-20.jpg• Online Meeting: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2866108222_ec029ef595.jpg• Checkmark: http://www.identilam.co.uk/images/accreditation/tick.jpg• Pencils: http://www.channel-incentive-programs.com/images/benchmarks-picture.jpg• Peer Review: http://writedit.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/peer-review.jpg• Feedback: http://blog.mozilla.com/metrics/files/2009/07/voice_of_user2.jpg• Students: http://149.68.13.100/media/1/bd1d0439966c48e2aaea82770655bcbd.jpg