3.5 How can we ensure good quality learning? (Quality assurance)

Planning for Quality

Developing quality learning materials that promote effective learning does not happen by chance. It requires careful planning, monitoring and evaluation of all course components, including the learning materials. As part of the materials development process we can set up quality assurance processes that ensure quality materials have been developed. This will include appropriate planning, internal and external critical review, ethical and copyright clearances, and editing. Feedback from users – learners and tutors alike – about the usefulness of the materials in supporting learning is essential.          

Quality Assurance Strategies

Three major review and evaluation methods to promote quality in the design and development of learning materials are:

• Benchmarking – selecting relevant, high quality examples of course design and materials development and using them to inform the ongoing improvement of materials development systems and processes.
• Self-evaluation – enables educators to view their learning materials with a critical eye and to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• External evaluation – External review of learning materials is a method frequently used by institutions to determine how they measure up to nationally and/or internationally accepted standards of practice.

Once learning materials are developed it is important to pilot or prototype them in the ‘field’ so that the quality of the learning materials is tested.