Assuring Quality in Online Education

Online distance education continues to grow at a fast pace, even outpacing the overall growth of U.S. higher education. Demands for quality are coming from all shareholders involved. As if caught by surprise, a patchwork response to quality is often the typical organizational response. The result can be inconsistent and uncoordinated levels of value to those invested in online learning. This often promotes negative images of the educational experience and institution.Comprised of highly regarded experts in the field, this edited volume provides a comprehensive overview of quality assurance, a snapshot of current practices and proven recommendations for raising standards of quality in online education.Topics discussed include:* Improving practices for teaching online* Using educational analytics for quality assurance and improvement* Accessibility: An important dimension of quality assurance* Assuring quality in online course design* Assuring quality in learner support, academic resources, advising and counseling* The role and realities of accreditationThis text clearly answers the call for addressing quality from a broad, deep and coordinated understanding. It addresses the complexities of quality assurance in higher education and offers professionals top-shelf advice and support. *This text is also appropriate for students enrolled in Educational Technology and Higher Education Administration Masters and PhD programs

Kay Shattuck is Director of Research at Quality Matters and Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania State University College of Education.

Foreword. Michael Grahame Moore Preface Part One. Overview and Implications of Practices and Processes for Assuring Quality 1. Stakeholders of Quality Assurance in Online Education. Inputs and Outputs. Deborah Adair and Sebastián Díaz 2. Cost, Access, and Quality. Breaking the Iron Triangle Through Disruptive Technology-Based Innovations. Stella C. S. Porto 3. The Sloan Consortium Pillars and Quality Scorecard. Janet C. Moore and Kaye Shelton 4. K-12 Online Learning. Recommendations for Assuring Quality. Susan Patrick, Matthew Wicks, and Allison Powell 5. Progress Toward Transparency and Quality Assurance. Cali Morrison, Karen Paulson, and Russell Poulin Part Two. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement at the Course Design and Teaching Levels 6. A Process to Improve Course Design. A Key Variable in Course Quality. Deborah Adair 7. A Model for Determining the Effectiveness and Impact of Faculty Professional Development. Lawrence C. Ragan and Carol Anne McQuiggan 8. The Power of a Collaborative, Collegial Approach to Improving Online Teaching and Learning. Leonard Bogle, Scott Day, Daniel Matthews, and Karen Swan 9. Engaging Online Faculty and Administrators in the Assessment Process. Jennifer Stephens-Helm, Karan Powell, and Julie Atwood 10. Disability and Accessibility. Proactive Strategies to Improve Quality. Barbara A. Frey and Lorna R. Kearns 11. Assuring Quality for an Expanding Population of Culturally Diverse Students. Kay Shattuck, Jennifer A. Linder-VanBerschot, Janice Maloney High, Carrie Main, Li Wang, and David Black Part Three. Processes for Assuring Quality at Resource and Program Levels 12. Ethics Matters. Assuring Quality at the Academic Program Level. Melody M. Thompson and Gary W. Kuhne 13. Academic Advising. A Link to a Quality Experience for Students. Heather L. Chakiris 14. Learning Analytics. A Tool for Quality Assurance. Phil Ice, Melissa Layne, and Wallace Boston 15. Using Principles of Knowledge Management for Educational Quality Assurance. Sebastián Díaz, Wallace Boston, Melissa Layne, and Phil Ice 16. An Adaptive Model for Calculating Contact Hours in Distance-Education Courses. Karan Powell, Jennifer Stephens-Helm, Melissa Layne, and Phil Ice 17. The Role and Realities of Accreditation. A Practical Guide for Programs and Institutions Preparing for an Accreditation Visit. Susan Biro, Christine Mullins, and Jean Runyon Part Four. Final Thoughts 18. Saying "Quality Assurance" When We Mean Something Else. Julie Porosky Hamlin 19. Bumblebees Can't Fly!. John Sener Reflection Questions Contributors Index