The Quest for Quality Quality Assurance of E-Learning Programs and Courses

1. The Quest for QualityQuality Assurance of E-Learning Programs and Courses E-Learning in Post-Secondary EducationOECD/ Canada/ Alberta Conference, June 2005 Dr. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers, University of Duisburg-Essen, European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning

2. The Difficulty of Quality Development »Quality and love have a lot in common: everybody is talking about it and is convinced to know what it is. Everyone perceives its absence as painful, and there is no common definition. And just like love quality is transient and can only be achieved through continuous efforts and care.« (Klaus Landfried, President of the German Rectors Conference) ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide2

3. Think about it… How do you find your individual strategy, suitable criteria, a fitting policy or manageable evaluation approaches? ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide3

4. Individual Quality Profile Diversity of Objectives for Quality Development Market Share Organization‘s Success Return on Investment Customer Satisfaction Process Optimization Strategic Impact Flexibility Productivity Learning Culture Learner Satisfaction Personality Development Accessibility Media Quality Method Mix Individualization/Personalization Availability Interoperability Ergonomics ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide4

5. Different meanings Different Processes Different Actors Quality in Education Different Processes/ Levels(Input, Process, Outcomes, etc.) Different Actors(Learners, Professionals, Institutional Actors, Government) have different Intentions, Goals, are in different Situations Different meanings/ understandings: product oriented, user related, manufacture based, etc. (Harvey/Green 2000) Quality in Learning as Co-Production ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide5

6. ISO 9000 EFQM EFQM QAA Management Approaches … European DE Guide-lines ECTS QoL Bench-marks Media Association Certificate Auto Industry Standard … … … Design Learning Scenario Implement Learning Scenario Evaluate Learning Scenario LOM DIN Criteria SCORM ASTD Criteria SGML, XML, RDF, XHTML Organization’s Criteria Author Guide ISO 9241 Accessibility Guidelines Diversity of Quality Approaches ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide6

7. Generic Approaches (Process-oriented) ISO 9000, EFQM Excellence Model, Evaluation, … Specific Approaches (Process-oriented) Quality on the Line Benchmarks, BAOL Quality Mark,... Specific Approaches (Product-oriented) Quality Criteria (ETB, AKAB), Guidelines, … Overview Quality Strategies for E-Learning Further:Method-Mix, Competency-oriented, etc. ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide7

8. Quality in European E-Learning Quality through E-Learning Organisational Change, Empowerment, Access to Education, Participation in the Information Society, Improving Digital Literacy Quality for E-Learning Quality Strategies and Approaches, Improving the E-Learning Provision Lernqualitaet.de ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide8

9. Sneak Preview for Discussion • Quality as transversal key issue/ process, not an add-on • Quality development involves all disciplines and all stakeholders • Quality Development is an ongoing negotiation process • Only through participation and negotiation the balance between divergent requirements, cultures and perspectives can be reached • Quality strategies are the medium – not the message • Quality in e-learning is about professionalisation, good practices and performance • Quality Frameworks/ Approaches are a necessary but not a sufficient condition for e-learning quality • Quality in e-learning means learning transformed and enhanced with the integration of technology where ‘e’ means • empowered, enabled, engaged, enlightened, emotional, enthusiastic ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de ::: University of Duisburg-Essen - Slide9

10. Sign up for quality http://www.qualityfoundation.org Contact Dr. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers University of Duisburg-Essen ulf.ehlers@icb.uni-essen.de Supported by the European Commission