Issues of Quality in Online Degree Programmes

Abstract

Online delivery of degree-level programmes is an attractive option, especially for working professionals and others who are unable to contemplate full-time residential university attendance. If such programmes are to be accepted, however, it is essential that they attain the same standards and quality as conventionally delivered degrees. We describe here the structures and processes developed for quality management and assurance in a programme of online master’s level degrees in a UK university. The pedagogical approach places great emphasis on the role of online discussion in the teaching and learning process, and we argue that this also has a key role in the quality assurance process. We discuss ways in which techniques of artificial intelligence can be used to assist instructors and others to manage and evaluate discussions effectively.