Accreditation Benchmarks and Competition The ABCs of Quality

Accreditation, Benchmarks, and Competition: The ‘ABC’s’ of Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning Nancy Parker

The Proposition No matter what approach is taken to demonstrate or certify quality in higher education ODL until institutions are willing to be as transparent as their campus based counterparts doubts will remain and blended institutions will hold a competitive advantage. Athabasca University

The Challenge Fraud Poor Practice Lack of common standards Reputation Athabasca University

Some Numbers Athabasca University

Responses Ø Lists Ø Required reporting Ø Accreditation Ø Licensing Ø Quality Markers/Frameworks Ø Rankings Athabasca University

Characteristics Examined • First impressions (front page load time; base information access) • Expectations (entrance requirements, fees, orientation information, sample materials) • Assessment (student success & satisfaction/engagement measures) Athabasca University

The Test Institution Athabasca University (AU) Capella University (CPLA) Deakin University (DU) Open University (OUUK) University of Maryland —University College (UMUC) University of South Africa (UNISA) Students Headcount 38, 000 38, 072 (June 2011) 39, 000 ~250, 000 54, 921 (Fall 2010) 263, 559 (2009 Mo. E) URL http: //www. athabascau. ca/ http: //www. capellaeducation. com http: //www. capella. edu/ / http: //www. deakin. edu. au http: //www. gooduniguide. com. au/ http: //www 8. open. ac. uk/about/main/th e-ou-explained/facts-and-figures http: //www. umuc. edu/visitors/about/ipr a/upload/UMUCFall 10 Fact. Book. pdf http: //www. unisa. ac. za/default. html http: //www. unisa. ac. za/happening/doc s/Annual. Report_2009. pdf Athabasca University

Transparency Examples • College Navigator • Common University Data Sets Athabasca University

Success Athabasca University