Abstract
This chapter is about theoretical aspects, practical instruments and methods for providing the quality of educational services in the system of open and distance learning according to ENQA approaches. The quality management principles, based on the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) and standards ISO, and approaches to quality policy in universities in the implementation of open and distance learning systems are offered in it. The main problems in the implementation of quality management systems are analyzed. Approaches to the of the result effectiveness evaluation in terms of the educational process quality management are discussed. Models quality assessments and the basic directions in the formation of the knowledge system quality criteria, adopted in accordance with the requirements of the digital economy, are considered.
TopIntroduction
The main trend in open and distance learning educational system is to spread access to educational services, to improve educational services quality, to improve educational system efficiency and productivity on the whole, to update funding and management issues.
The quality of open and distance learning system management is proposed as a set of administration support systems with the organizational structures, procedures, educational technologies and resources, needed for the implementation of the education policy quality through planning, management, and maintenance, and quality improvement.
Among the most important reforms in Russian media is educational system reform, which is defined as the “cornerstone”, “fundamental condition” stands out, etc. This situation reinforces the European emphasis assessment and quality assurance, accreditation, which takes a course of standards rapprochement and procedures which are in the Bologna Declaration. It is the development of European co-operation on the basis of the developed comparable criteria and methodologies (Bologna process, 2005). It provides a set of conditions, the most important are:
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The development of compatible control systems focused on the threshold of higher education standards that set requirements for the level of graduates’ training (results). In other words, the threshold standards, such as higher education quality standards, should make a shift in focus from quantitative input indicators to outcome indicators: competence, training, knowledge
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The creation of independent evaluation systems, which may lead to European quality mark for the broad subject areas of higher education. A special role to existing and future pan-European networks in the subjects is given (profiles, specialties, areas of training)
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Coordinating approaches to transnational education quality standards
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In terms of education services increasing supply in the system of transnational education open and distance learning network providers is becoming extremely urgent problem of the education delivered quality. This characteristic is a tendency to create new systems and quality control procedures to receive educational services. It manifests itself through the diversity of their models. In some cases, unified assessment systems for all sectors of higher education are organized. In other cases – preference is given to a specialized evaluation facility for each subject area (profession, educational program). But their main feature is the independent nature of evaluation.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Distance Education: It is a system and process of presenting learning materials to the students. Distance learning can use varieties of form and usually characterized as 1) separation of the teacher, the learner and learning materials in space and time and 2) interactions (teacher-learner, learner-learner, learner-materials) with the help one or several technologies (it is not necessary to use only electronic technologies).
Total Quality Management (TQM): It is a system of management based on the principle that every staff member must be committed to maintaining high standards of work in every aspect of a company's operations.
Distance Learning: It is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school. Courses that are conducted (51 percent or more) are either hybrid, blended or 100% whole instruction. Massive open online courses (MOOCs), offering large-scale interactive participation and open access through the World Wide Web or other network technologies, are recent developments in distance education. A number of other terms (distributed learning, e-learning, online learning, etc.) are used roughly synonymously with distance education.
Quality Management System (QMS): It is a collection of business processes focused on consistently meeting customer requirements and enhancing their satisfaction.