What do we mean when we talk about Quality in Open online learning?

2. Towards a holistic and integrated view of
quality in open, online and technology
enhanced learning

3. What do we mean when we talk about
“ Quality in open, on line and technology
enhanced learning”?
Perspectives and meanings matter!

4. 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. 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)

6. Defining Quality in Education.
A complex issue…
Which would be the focus?
Subjective Multidimensional
Ambiguous
Complex
Concerning something ...

7. 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

8. 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?
• (…)

9. Evaluating Quality
• Methods
• Sources
• Agents involved
• Decision sharing
• Elements
/dimensions
• (...)
• Accountability
• Comparison
• Obtain/provide
information
• Improve and
transform
• (…)
How? What for?

10. Where is the key, if there is one?
VS
VS
Education &
transformation
Instruction &
Knowledge
Involvement
& Quality culture
Participation &
Process (formality)

11. 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.

12. Thank you very much!
Nati Cabrera
ncabrera@uoc.edu