The Learning Experience

During the establishment of the Online Programs Team we were asked to develop a Quality Framework to ensure that our courses in our portfolio could be assessed and measured. This threw up an interesting challenge - how do you define quality?

The standard approach is to look at specific external indicators or objects that can measured and quantified. That often leads to an approach that is based on checklists, templates and standardisation. Our aim was to not use those measures, but instead to focus on meeting the needs and expectations of the learners themselves - rather than specific features of a course.

This led to defining the Adelaide Online Learning Experience as part of the Quality Framework. This simple set of definitions outlined the kind of experience we want students at the University of Adelaide to have when they study here. It was based on existing strategic documents already produced by the university and simply written to focus on the perspective of the student.

Clear

• Accessible and inclusive to all students.
• Easy to understand and navigate.
• Has defined goals and expectations.
• Utilises technology that doesn’t get in the way of learning.
• Explains the requirements for interactions.

Contextual

• Articulates each activity with purpose and intention.
• Contextualises learning in the real-world.
• Tests learning with appropriately timed, varied and suitable assessments.
• Delivers content that is contemporary and relevant.

Interactive

• Actively constructed learning where students learn by doing, not consuming.
• Provides feedback that can be implemented to improve learning.
• Promotes flexible communication between tutor and student.
• Has a vibrant exchange of ideas, opinions, perspectives, and experiences.

Challenging

• Promotes further learning and provides those opportunities.
• Creates new knowledge, skills and extends existing ones.
• Has support from a teacher that is present throughout the course.

Personalised

• Adds value to the student and is purposeful.
• Respects student time and commitment to study.
• Develops skills that are relevant to their professional practice.

The Quality Framework & Guides

The Alliance Quality Framework consists of a range of documents and tools beyond the Adelaide Online Learning Experience. These include :

• Online Course Requirements Checklist,
• Online Course Assessment Tool, and
• Guides for Active Learning, Assessments, Content Writing, Discussion Boards, Group Work, Learning Videos, Page Design, Quizzes, Reflective Practice and Rubrics.

The documents were aimed at providing guidance and assistance to learning designers and course authors involved in the Pearson Alliance and were specifically developed for that audience and program.