Program and Course Evaluation in Open, Distance, and Digital Education

Abstract

Open, Distance, and Digital Education (ODDE) has potential to help educational institutions address the various challenges which usually result in the disruptions of the learning process. This system of education is flexible, agile, and resilient enough to adjust to the different contexts and also enables the academic institution to respond to some expectations like making available lifelong learning opportunities to all types of learners. There is, however, a lingering perception that ODDE is of lower quality compared to the conventional mode of education despite results of research showing otherwise which can prevent the realization of the full potential of this system of instruction. Through an intensive review of literature, this chapter looked at how quality in ODDE was and is being articulated with respect to curricular programs and courses and how they are evaluated for quality with the goal of determining if there are gaps which need to be addressed to help dispel that perception of lower quality. Eleven Quality Assurance (QA) Frameworks developed by various organizations from different parts of the world during the last 20 years (2000-2019) were evaluated for a more focused review process. Results showed that there is a general agreement as to what constitutes quality in this system of education. For the methodologies for program and course evaluation, some improvements and innovations can be done as informed by the QA Frameworks and tapping on what information can the technology provide as in the case of learning analytics which served as basis for the recommendations made.