Introduction to Infrastructure, Quality Assurance, and Support Systems of ODDE

Abstract

Distance education (DE) has evolved over numerous generations, from correspondence study to the most recent online education, which is classified as open, distance, and digital education (ODDE). DE advances in line with technological advancements, and DE generations often correspond to the pre- and post-Internet eras. This classification also affects and prescribes the learning environment required to ensure the educational and learning process’ effectiveness. The pre-Internet period of DE was marked by a vast physical infrastructure, including a physical network of regional, local offices, and learning centers, as was widely implemented by distance teaching universities. Soft infrastructure, such as a digital learning environment, characterizes the ODDE in the Internet era. Despite the differences in ODDE infrastructure before and after the Internet, library services and a quality assurance system have always been essential components of the ODDE system. The global open movement has had an impact on ODDE practice, expanding learning resources beyond those generated by ODDE providers. The open education movement has given ODDE more supporting infrastructures, allowing it to become more powerful and costeffective. Finally, the burgeoning metaverse appears to be destined to become the future ODDE platform, elevating ODDE practice to new heights. This chapter discusses some trends and debates about the nature of institutional infrastructure before and after the Internet era, a cross-generational supporting infrastructure related to quality assurance, as well as learning resources particularly those related to the open educational resources (OER) and open licenses, and some thoughts on the metaverse as an emerging trend in education.