Training documents

- Full text of the Deliverable (2.8 MB PDF file)-

The training material produced in the e-Quality project is targeted for the professional users of information technology in Open and Distance Learning (ODL). By professional users we mean teachers, planners, material producers, technical and pedagogical support personnel working in the field of higher education. The specific target groups of the training material are the trainers or the tutors of quality issues in ODL, but the material is structured into thematic entities so, that different parts of it can be read as independent introductions into different aspects of quality in ODL.

The first part, "Introducing Quality in Open and Distance Learning" highlights the essential concepts. Different meanings and ways of understanding the concept of quality are illustrated. Distinct quality standards and models are treated with examples of their usage in educational context with special reference to ODL. Open and distance learning is approached from the perspective of different understandings concerning technological change. It is clarified why the tools perspective on technology is important for the treatment of quality problems. The different levels, European, national and institutional levels of the quality question in ODL are presented dealing also with multiculturalism vs. uniformity in this setting. The first part of the training material can be read as a short introduction to the multidimensionality of the question of quality and suites for all who are interested in it in the field of ODL.

The second part, "Making Quality Visible", takes student’s perspective as its starting point by presenting the concepts of student’s lifecycle and learning event. With lifecycle is meant the path which student follows from the beginning of the studies to the graduation. The different processes of ODL are confronted to the lifecycle functions of the learning process of a student in order to find out the state of affairs affecting the quality of learning. The processes are broken down into different roles to be performed and activities to be taken in this execution. These are then discussed in detail within the two sub-processes, student support and learning material design and production. This second part of the material is best suited for readers who want to get an overview on how the quality issues can be approached, by analyzing different processes affecting the quality of learning in ODL, from the perspective of separate roles performing activities, i.e. making up the processes in question.

The third part "Generating Quality by Using Quality Tools" deals with quality criteria. In this part, the concepts of criterion and indicator are discussed in their relationship with roles and activities. It is shown that roles and activities are linked to different criteria. Moreover, it shows how the criteria can be used during distinguishable moments to produce quality. Before learning event,  criteria can be used to check that the preparations made are sufficient for a high quality learning outcome. After the learning event the same criteria can be used to evaluate the success of the learning event. After the evaluation, criteria can be used to set up a durable action plan and/or to construct best practices. The third part makes up a practical guide for the professionals of ODL who want to develop and improve their working performance.