Quality Assurance in Asian Open and Distance Learning: Policies and Implementation
Quality Assurance in Asian Open and Distance Learning: Policies and Implementation
Date
2015
Authors
Darojat, Ojat
Nilson, Michelle
Kauffman, David
Editor
Corporate Author
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Commonwealth of Learning (COL)
Report/Paper Number
Abstract
Open universities have emerged as an innovative pillar in the expansion of access to higher education participation, with single-mode distance education providers broadening access in many countries through economies of scale supported by large enrolments. These models raise questions about the quality of education provided. This paper reports on a comparative case study of quality assurance (QA) programs in distance education at three open universities in Southeast Asia. Focusing on QA development and implementation in learner support services, the study explored QA policies, supporting management practices and structures, and the influence of internal and external environmental factors, as identified through thematic analysis of data from semi-structured interviews and policy documents. The results showed many similarities in QA for learner support at the three institutions. Their learner support services were determined to be responsive to government and external quality agencies, external cultural and language factors, and student feedback. // Editorial Note: Anak Bangsa Open University (ABOU) is a pseudonym used for another university, and there is no ABOU as such. All references are to actual documents and processes of the said university, but readers may not find the documents cited under ABOU in the references.
Description
Subject
Quality Assurance,
Open and Distance Learning (ODL),
Distance Education
Country
Region
Asia
Rights
Series
Journal of Learning for Development;vol. 2, no. 2