towards a holistic and integrated view of quality in open, online and technology enhanced learning

Towards a holistic and integrated view of quality in open, online and

technology enhanced learning

What do we mean when we talk about “ Quality in open, on line and technology

enhanced learning”? Perspectives and meanings matter!

Some examples:

• You can’t teach a subject online

• You don’t know who your students are

• Online courses are easy • Online courses should be

less expensive or free• It is not a quality learning

experience• Educate is only possible

face-to-face• (…)

Massification & Commodification

Diversification & Internationalization

Costs (Public & Individual Investments)

Do they influence our conception or the level of quality that we demand? …

Persistent Myths about Open,Online

Education.Pressures on Higher

Education

5

Dimensions of change

The initial media

revolution (1.0)

2.0 Future

Teachers Sage on the Stage

Guide on the Side

The orchestra director: harmonizing the generation of content

Pedagogical Practices & Learning

Individual assignments on given contents

Collaboration, Personalizing Learning Environments

Open Knowledge and flexible social networking: networked learning, Ecologies of learning, Open Digital Badges

Institution Campus Interinstitutional Cooperation

Beyond local and institutional barriers

Students Passive role Sense of being part of the educational process

Co-creation of contents; co-construction of knowledge

HE evolution: From tradition to new pedagogical horizons (e-learning; open networked learning)

Defining Quality in Education.A complex issue…

Which would be the focus?

Subjective Multidimensional

AmbiguousComplex

Concerning something ...

Defining Quality in Education.A complex issue…

Elements Dimensions

Multiperspective The teacher – the student – the institution, the evaluators

Diverse Methods of Analysis

Benchmarking – guidelines – standards – quantitative or qualitative approaches

Diverse Time In itinere – ex ante – ex post

Diverse Meanings Pedagogical – Organizational – Technological – Economical

Diverse Levels of Analysis

Individual – Group – Institutional – Socio-cultural

Source: Raffaghelli, J. 2016

Quality of… what?

• Higher education?• Institutions?• Programs?• Teachers?• Learning?

Specifically open, online, technology enhanced learning?

•  (…)

The perspective of

who? • Students?

• Institutions?• Teachers?• Politicians?• State holders?• Society?• (…)

Evaluating Quality

• Methods• Sources• Agents involved• Decision sharing• Elements

/dimensions• (...)

• Accountability• Comparison• Obtain/provide

information• Improve and

transform• (…)

How? What for?

Where is the key, if there is one?

VS

VS

Education & transformation

Instruction & Knowledge

Involvement & Quality culture

Participation & Process (formality)

Where is the key?Quality culture / focus on these issues.

The transformational perspective is the key of a quality learning culture:A human group that takes part of a learning experience as a deep, reflective experience, connected to the own professional/ personal identity. Not just for accomplishing activities, recalling information, and obtaining credentials (course diploma).

Teachers and students should become aware of the culture of quality (Elhers, 2004; 2011; Ghislandi & Raffaghelli, 2012).

Let us put our focus on their needs, expectations, features and let us give them the best ways for real transformation.

Thank you very much!

Nati Cabrerancabrera@uoc.edu