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

Summary

• Examines quality control in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, United States

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

• Self/Peer reviewoHonest self-

assessmento Peer-reviewed

results

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