Quality assurance for open distance and flexible learning - Part 2

Open, Distance and Flexible Learning (ODFL) has the potential to enhance access and achieve equity in educational provision. However, it is important for providers to have sound quality assurance mechanisms in place to maximise learning benefits and gain positive perceptions of this mode of provision from the public. This course, QA40DFL2, follows on from an earlier course, QA4ODF1, which focused on quality assurance issues at the strategic level. This new course is designed to help education officials and teachers create enabling environments for implementing high-quality ODFL at the operational level.

The course takes participants through key aspects that affect quality delivery, like course content development, supporting learning through assessment, human resource strategy and managing communication to support open school learners. Although officials and teachers in the Pacific Region are the main target audience for the course, ODFL practitioners working in any developing country context will find the course highly beneficial, especially those working in or interested in open schooling. The course will run over four weeks. It will require five hours of time each week. Participants will learn from readings, videos as well as discussions with peers and the facilitator in the discussion forum. There are assignment tasks at the end of each unit, which will also encourage learners to check their understanding of the concepts covered in each unit. There is a Course Summative Quiz at the end of the course.