This message was sent out over IT Forum yesterday and I wanted to spread it to a wider audience.
I’ve recently started conducting research on quality assessment, quality management and quality standards for distributed learning courses/programs specifically aimed at grade school (primary & secondary) levels. I’ve come up with many examples for higher education, but few initiatives for this target group. I’m struggling to find North American examples. Here in British Columbia our provincial government publishes distributed learning standards that are suggested guidelines. It’s up to individual schools or teachers to decide how or if these are implemented.
I have two questions:
1) Are you aware of quality review initiatives in other contexts that target distributed learning at the grade school level?
2) How is quality assurance implemented for distributed learning programs at the grade school level? (i.e., This is the responsibility of individual programs and instructors; or this is regulated by an authorizing body or accrediting agency. )If anyone can suggest any leads that would be most helpful.
The folks who have responded thus far have mentioned the iNACOL national standards, any others you’d suggest…
David, one resource that I just came across – thanks to Bob Blomeyer – is a document entitled “Evaluating Course Equivalent Virtual Learning Environments” available at http://onlineteachingassociates.com/?cat=14.
Comment by mkbnl — October 31, 2009 @ 6:29 pm |
This is a marvelous document. Thanks for alerting me to it. Such a thorough process for evaluating the appropriateness of a program/course/content. I had not previously heard of the Sussex Scheme upon which it is based, but have located a reference to that document: http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED114353&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED114353
Comment by David Le Blanc — November 1, 2009 @ 8:07 pm |
No problem… If I come across anything else, I’ll let you know – and I encourage others who have resources to post them here as well.
Comment by mkbnl — November 1, 2009 @ 9:04 pm |