Expanding quality distance provision in an integrated post-schooling system

1. Expanding quality distance provision in an integrated post-schooling system • Kethamonie Naidoo • NADEOSA Conference - 24 June 2014 • University of Pretoria

2. BACKGROUND • CHE accreditation & re-accreditation • Trends • Focus on quality, appropriateness & relevance • Distance higher education programmes in the digital era (CHE/SAIDE) • Accreditation criteria • A good practice guide • Conceptual models and tools

3. ACCREDITATION CRITERIA (1) 1 Programme design 2 Student Recruitment, Admission & Selection 3&4 Staffing 5 Teaching and Learning Strategy 6 Assessment 7 Library Services 8 Programme Administrative Services 9 Postgraduate Policies, Procedures & Regulations 10 Programme Coordination

4. ACCREDITATION CRITERIA (2) • Academic Development • Teaching and Learning Interactions • Student Assessment Practices • Assessment System • Coordination of WIL • Delivery of Postgraduate Programmes • Student Retention and Throughput • Employability and Recognition • Programme Evaluation

5. QUALITY FOCUS • Input, Process & Output Criteria • Minimum Standards • Change of Mode & Site of Delivery • Re-accreditation • Concerns & Complaints • Courtesy Visits • Site Visits • Withdrawal of Accreditation

6. A CONTINUUM GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF STUDENTS & LECTURERS Face-to-Face (F2F) Mixed Mode Distance Off Campus On Campus

7. EXTENT OF ICT SUPPORT No Digital support Fully On-line Digitally supported Internet supported Internet dependent ON-LINE OFF- LINE

9. PRINCIPLES: HE Learning and Teaching • Outcomes and graduate attributes • Student centred learning • Active learning • Interactive learning • Experiential learning - WIL • Scaffolding

10. QUALITY, RELEVANCE & APPROPRIATENESS • Standards – Qualification type, NQF level and level descriptors • HR needs + articulation pathways • CAT and RPL • Technology • Library and learning resources

11. COHERENCE CONTEXT Infrastructure Pedagogy Learning materials PROGRAMME DESIGN Staffing Student support Library services Recruitment , admission & selection WIL

12. QUALITY DISTANCE EDUCATION • Context • Coherence of programme design • Outcomes, NQF level and standards • Student support • Textbooks, learning guide and library resources • Geographic location • Class size and pedagogy

13. CONCERNS • Over-reliance on consultants • Terminology confusion, eg., DE & ODL • Satellite campuses vs. Tuition centres • Collaborations • Dropouts & low pass rates

15. Needs, Purposes Intended learning outcomes Ideas, Planning processes Cyclicalcourse development and review Revision Review Draft → Pilot → Implement Evaluate ,Reflect Revise Project management Team building Resourcing and budgeting The iterative nature of learning resource development

16. ANDERSON’S MODEL FOR ON-LINE LEARNING

17. CONCLUSION • DISTANCE EDUCATION will result in: • Improved access to post-school education • Increased flexible and open learning • Exciting, creative and innovative use of technology • It should not result in: • Poor quality education • Inferior infrastructure and resource provision • Exploitation of students