Home

Executive Summary

1 Introduction

2 Context

3 Methodology

4 - 9 Findings, Analysis and Discussion

10 Summary of Findings

11 Discussion of Findings

12 References

13 Case Studies

Acknowledgments & Partners

 

Case Study Map 
 

1

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

H1

 * * * * * * * *

H2

 * * * * * * * *

H3

 * * * * * * * *

H4

 * * * * * * * *

H5

 * * * * * * * *

H6

 * * * * * * * *

H7

 * * * * * * * *

H8

 * * * * * * * *

H9

 * * * * * * * *

H10

 * * * * * * * *

F1

 * * * * * * * *

F2

 * * * * * * * *

F3

 * * * * * * * *

F4

 * * * * * * * *

F5

 * * * * * * * *

F6

 * * * * * * * *

F7

 * * * * * * * *

F8

 * * * * * * * *

F9

 * * * * * * * *

F10

 * * * * * * * *

Institution H9

9 Impact of networked learning on quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation

Quality assurance issues were not raised to a great extent in the interviews; however, there were questions on the monitoring of quality for those in relevant posts in the questionnaires. The issues that were raised focused on the quality of the learning materials and the need to review the quality of the learning experience. That student experience in relation to networked learning was of importance to the institution was evidenced in that an evaluation had already been carried out. This is commented on in the documentary analysis.

In terms of learning resources it was noted that there was a need to be aware of the problems surrounding the quality of Internet sources and also that plagiarism might become an issue.

... you don’t know what they access... so there are all sorts of pitfalls that students may not be aware of. And you can’t necessarily check, so there is the quality at that level I think. I think there is also quality in terms of assessment, plagiarism and all sort of things... very tricky... (H9I6)

In terms of the quality of the student experience a comment was made that we perhaps do not know much of what actually goes on for the student.

A question underlies that... in reality what is going on with the students? We have got one picture, what is going on for the students in these various places… There is a bit of guesswork at the moment and anecdotal evidence gives us some pictures but we need more work now to find out what is really happening... (H9I4)

The same respondent also stated that there were plans for developing the evaluation.
...so we have plans for … looking at reviewing assessment practice, looking for an increase in the quality of student feedback... (H9I4)

Questionnaire data

Three of the respondents to the questionnaires were asked to comment on the impact of networked learning on quality assurance. Two of these suggested that there had been major changes in the quality assurance procedures with a third stating that there were changes but that these were minor. Procedures for supporting learning were seen as having changed greatly by one respondent but not by the other two. The questionnaire data thus augments the interview data as it indicates that changes are underway in the quality assurance procedures.

Summary

Some quality procedures have been altered to accommodate the introduction of networked learning; however, some respondents considered that these required further development. Student evaluations have shown that the majority of students view networked learning positively. Issues surrounding quality of web resources and plagiarism were commented on and viewed as problematic and requiring further attention.