Best Practicesfor

Distance Education

Quality Assurance IssuesMichael Simonson, Ph.D.

Program ProfessorInstructional Technology and Distance Education

Fischler School of EducationNova Southeastern University

North Miami Beach, FL

www.nova.edu/~simsmich

Our AgendaOur Agenda

1.Distance Education – What do we really mean?

2.Status of Distance Education TodayWho is getting into DE

3.Quality Assurance Issues

1.Distance Education – What do we really mean?

2.Status of Distance Education TodayWho is getting into DE

3.Quality Assurance Issues

#1: Definition of Distance Education

#1: Definition of Distance Education

Institution-based formal education where the learning group is separated, and where interactive telecommunications systems/media are used to connect learners, resources and instructors (Simonson, 2009)

Institution-based formal education where the learning group is separated, and where interactive telecommunications systems/media are used to connect learners, resources and instructors (Simonson, 2009)

Encyclopaedia Britannica’s Definition

#2: Status of Distance EducationWhat is Happening?

#2: Status of Distance EducationWhat is Happening?

• The World – Open Source and Moodle

• South Dakota

• Florida

• Iowa

• Colleges and Universities

• The World – Open Source and Moodle

• South Dakota

• Florida

• Iowa

• Colleges and Universities

The Florida Virtual School

Worldwide Reach of Moodle Open Source Course Management System

Worldwide Reach of Moodle Open Source Course Management System

The World is FlatThe World is Flat

Thomas Friedman

“…companies will go where the knowledge is…”

Coefficient of Flatness

“…the flatter one’s country is – that is, the fewer natural resources it has – the better of it will

be in a flat world…”

Thomas Friedman

“…companies will go where the knowledge is…”

Coefficient of Flatness

“…the flatter one’s country is – that is, the fewer natural resources it has – the better of it will

be in a flat world…”

Critical MassWhen an innovation “takes off on its own.”

Critical MassWhen an innovation “takes off on its own.”

Critical Mass

#3: Question: What Do We Do?#3: Question: What Do We Do?

Answer: Insure Quality

1. Define Distance Education2. Develop a Quality Plan to Implement3. Institutionalize Distance Education

Answer: Insure Quality

1. Define Distance Education2. Develop a Quality Plan to Implement3. Institutionalize Distance Education

Indicators of ConcernIndicators of Concern

• Dual tracks – distance learners and traditional• Dual populations• Dual evaluation systems• Standardized courses• Duplication of traditional courses

– Failure to apply Equivalency Theory• Poor Institutionalization• Many drop-outs• Many complaints

• Dual tracks – distance learners and traditional• Dual populations• Dual evaluation systems• Standardized courses• Duplication of traditional courses

– Failure to apply Equivalency Theory• Poor Institutionalization• Many drop-outs• Many complaints

Indicators of QualityIndicators of Quality

• A clear mission statement

• Faculty oversight and input

• Support ~24/7

• Clear plans for the future

• Rigorous Evaluation

• A clear mission statement

• Faculty oversight and input

• Support ~24/7

• Clear plans for the future

• Rigorous Evaluation

(Kotter, 1999)

Two Trends: International Distance Education

Two Trends: International Distance Education

• Leapfrogging

• Standards and Accreditation

• Leapfrogging

• Standards and Accreditation

Create a Vision:The Digital Dakota Network – South Dakota

…Start with The children

…empower the workforce

…promote economic development

Fischler School of Education, Nova Southeastern University

…cause an effect…beyond the classroom