Experts highlight role of quality assurance in online learning

Experts highlight role of quality assurance in online learning

At a policy workshop hosted by RMIT University and the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training today, Australian and Vietnamese higher education experts agreed that quality assurance is vital to the long-term success of online and digitally enhanced learning.

The Policy Workshop on Quality Assurance for Online and Digitally Enhanced Learning (ODEL) in Vietnam was part of the Vietnam Leads policy workshop series initiated by RMIT Vietnam in 2020.

Nearly 800 senior tertiary education leaders and experts convened to deep-dive into two closely connected aspects that affect quality assurance: how to develop high-quality online educational content, and how to best ensure ongoing quality assurance for online teaching and learning. 

Associate Professor Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director General of Higher Education Department at Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) said: “Regardless of the delivery mode, the quality of content and students’ learning experience and outcomes must be kept at the highest standards possible. MOET encourages open discussions like this for both policy makers and universities in Vietnam to reflect on quality assurance which will further contribute to improving the regulatory framework to promote ODEL in higher education in Vietnam.” 

The policy workshop welcomed nearly 800 senior leaders and experts from around 300 Vietnamese and Australian organisations, including tertiary education authorities, related government agencies, as well as numerous universities. The policy workshop welcomed nearly 800 senior leaders and experts from around 300 Vietnamese and Australian organisations, including tertiary education authorities, related government agencies, as well as numerous universities.

By identifying the existing challenges in Vietnam and sharing experiences from universities and the Australian Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the workshop helped form a number of practical recommendations to maintain the highest quality experience for both teachers and students in Vietnam.

A representative from TEQSA outlined the agency’s successful collaboration with global higher education institutions – including RMIT – to collect and develop resources for online learning good practice as well as a dedicated experts advice hub. The resources cover a range of topics relating to online learning and teaching, from getting started and helping workforces to work online, to student experiences and assessment integrity.

Reflecting Australia’s focus on supporting students to achieve their learning outcomes across any mode of delivery, TEQSA also shared their comprehensive report based on student surveys conducted by 118 Australian higher education providers, which offers valuable insights into the rapid transition to online learning and the student experience of the changed arrangements.

RMIT University Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice President Professor Sherman Young highlighted other key considerations such as effective understanding of student progression.

He also shared experience from RMIT’s continued focus on authentic assessment while reducing more traditional exams.

“Our students learn through real-world projects and are assessed in ways that mirror experiences they would have when working in industry. Even in an online environment, we take care so that each course enables students to reach their expected learning outcomes regardless of their mode of study,” Professor Young said.

RMIT University Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice President Professor Sherman Young shared RMIT’s best practice in authentic assessment. RMIT University Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice President Professor Sherman Young shared RMIT’s best practice in authentic assessment.

Commenting on RMIT’s commitment to supporting the series of discussion, RMIT Vietnam Chairman Professor Peter Coloe said: “A community of practice has been organically grown in which RMIT plays a role as a coordinator. I hope the members of this community will meet regularly to discuss ODEL and its quality assurance, and how to constantly improve and bring it to practice. By coming together and working in a coordinated manner, we can jointly develop priorities and co-create a roadmap that enables quality assurance for ODEL in Vietnam.” 

The 30 July workshop was preceded by the inaugural high-level roundtable in September 2020 and the first deep-dive workshop on planning, scope, terminologies and expectations in April 2021.

The events have contributed to policy discussions on key questions facing Vietnam in online and digital learning with a focus on knowledge exchange and experience sharing between Australia and Vietnam.

Story: Ngoc Hoang

30 July 2021

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