Managing the quality of e-learning: a consultation on the QAA Code of Practice Section 2

Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement in E-learning Special Interest Group (QE-SIG)

Maria-Christiana Papaefthimiou University of Reading

Mark GambleUniversity of Bedfordshire

Helen Barefoot University of Hertfordshire

QAQE in e-Learning Special Interest Group: Steering Group Members

• Eileen Webb, (Chair) Teesside University

• Maria-Christiana Papaefthimiou, (Deputy Chair) Reading University

• Helen Barefoot, University of Hertfordshire

• Peter Chatterton, e-Daedalus

• Mark Gamble, University of Bedfordshire

• Magdalena Jara, Institute of Education, University of London

• Judith Kuit, University of Sunderland

• Harvey Mellar, Institute of Education, University of London

• Barbara Newland, Glasgow Caledonian University

• David O’Hare, University of Derby

Overview•Project background

•Consultation process

•Findings from the survey and workshops

•Conclusions

•Discussion

QAQE SIGMission•To aggregate, share and synthesise current and

emerging knowledge and practice in quality enhancement related to the use of technology to enhance learning

•To build synergies between Higher Education Institutions and with other external sector agencies

•To influence local and national policy

QAQE project• Develop a commentary and critique of

the QAA Code of Practice Section 2 (QAA 2004)

• Develop a trainer’s on-line toolkit for ‘Quality enhancement of collaborative provision and flexible and distributed learning including eLearning’

•Hold the first of its annual conferences in conjunction with the HEA (July 2nd University of Hertfordshire)

•To review the QAA Code of Practice Section 2 in order to consider the perceived usefulness of the Code of Practice.

Aim

•Online questionnaire (106 responses)

•Southern Workshop Institute of Education, February 5th 2010

•Northern Workshop HE Academy, February 19th 2010

Consultation activities

Questionnaire results“Regarding the current QAA Code of Practice (CoP) Section 2”

Total respondents : 86

“The following areas need to be covered more fully in a future revision of the code: (in terms of quality assurance/enhancement)”

Qualitative comments from questionnaire

What additional changes/amendments/additions to the code of practice do you suggest?

It ought to be clear whether or not we

are discussing distance, web-based

learning or TEL on and off campus

Greatest volume of L&T is concerned with

supporting campus based students …I would like to

see a more developed framework to support

blended technology enhanced learning

Workshop findingsTopic 1: Within the current programme/curriculum design processes and practice in your institution, how is the quality of e-learning addressed:

•Diverse practice•Concern; references to e-learning relate more to IT

issues than learning issues

• Importance of staff development

Topic 2: What kinds of issues and problems exist within your current practice and how might they be helped by a revised Code of Practice?

• Lack of clarity regarding definitions•Slow nature of QA processes - out of synch with

speed of development on educational technologies

•Assessment concerns

Workshop findings

Topic 3: What would be most helpful to you in a revised Code of Practice.

•Discussion of E-learning being included in all parts of the entire Code of Practice or being presented in a separate section

•Curriculum design guidance

Workshop findings

QAQE reportConsideration of findings in relation to the headings provided by the European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance within higher Education institutions• ES1 Policy and procedures for quality assurance

• ES2 Approval, monitoring and periodic review of programmes and awards

• ES3 Assessment of students• ES4 Quality assurance of teaching staff• ES5 Learning resources and student support• ES6 Information systems• ES7 Public information

Conclusions•Separate section of CoP for e-learning which embraces its incorporation into all other sections

New CoP should;• strike a balance between being a policy document and a useful guide

•be supportive of a QE regime•provide precepts which guide HEIs but do not stifle innovation

What challenges do you currently face in the management of QA and QE of e-learning?

What would be most helpful to you regarding information / training needs in support of embedding QE in e-learning practice?