Quality assurance procedures: Section D

Section D: The validation of distance learning proposals

 

D1. Introduction

This section describes both the validation of Distance Learning (DL) proposals for courses delivered entirely by distance learning (D4), and the validation of a specific module delivered by distance learning (D7).

DL is a mode of delivery where all teaching content, assessment, support and all other functions are provided for students who study (usually part-time) at locations remote from the University; teaching staff and students do not ever meet in the same physical location but may meet and interact 'virtually'. Courses where students and teaching staff meet for the purposes of an induction only and all other aspects of the course are delivered as described above will be classed as DL for the purposes of validation and reporting. Distance Learning differs from Collaborative Learning in that there is no element of collaboration with another institution for the provision of local support.

 

D2. Responsibilities and requirements

Following consultation with the Distance Learning Unit, all staff responsible for both designing and delivering on-line materials must first meet the University's Digital Literacy training requirement – for details of the training requirements please go to the University’s Teaching and Learning Innovation Park. It is the responsibility of schools via STLC/SAVP to maintain records of staff who meet the training requirements and to check and confirm that all relevant staff meet the training requirements before validation.

These procedures ensure:

 

D3. Validation proposals for DL courses

The initiative to consider the validation of a DL course must be taken by the School responsible for that subject area following consultation with the Distance Learning Unit. The proposed financial and resource arrangements must be approved by the Dean of the School. Schools should include the DL Unit in discussions when seeking approval from Marketing.

Courses, including a new mode of delivery, must be validated before recruitment can commence.

 

D4. The validation process for DL courses

All new Distance Learning proposals will need to be added to the validation schedule. Schools should ask the Distance Learning Unit to progress a proposal for an amended or new module, route or course. Schools should notify Registry of proposed course developments by submitting:

Registry will determine the level of event assigned to the proposal.

The procedures for validating a Distance Learning proposal are the same as a University validation for a course delivered at the University (see Section B) with the exception the requirements outlined below. Schools should draft these sections in consultation with the DL unit.

The School must evidence to the validation panel that the proposed course can be delivered in a Distance Learning environment, and that it has the resources and expertise to support the course and the students enrolled on the course.

The composition of the validation panel will be as detailed in section B; in addition, the subject specialist external panel member must have experience of distance learning.

In addition to the documentation listed in section B, the course documentation should include:

 

Rationale for the course

 

Admissions policy

 

Delivery and support of the course

 

Assessment and quality assurance

The initial approval for a Distance Learning course shall be for a maximum period of five years.

 

D5. Annual evaluation

The annual evaluation report should conform to the standard University template and include discussion of any issues arising from Distance Learning delivery. The report will be considered by the School delivering the course at its annual evaluation meeting.

 

D6. Revalidation

Revalidation is a mechanism used by the Senate to review and assess the quality of University courses. The University’s Teaching and Learning Committee is responsible for ensuring that each approved Distance Learning course is subject to re-validation at least once every five years.

The course team will submit documentation to be scrutinised at a revalidation event held at the University which will be organised by the Registry on behalf of the University’s Teaching and Learning Committee. The membership of the approval panel will be as defined in Section B.

Revalidation of Distance Learning courses will concentrate on the following:

The documentation submitted to the panel should focus on issues listed above and should incorporate critical appraisal where appropriate.

The revalidation event will consist of discussions between the panel and representatives of the course team.

The Head of Quality Assurance or nominee will prepare a report of the event. The report will be noted by the University’s Teaching and Learning Committee.

 

D7. Validation of individual modules to be delivered on a distance learning basis

The School must secure confirmation from the Director of Registry or their nominee that the extent of distance learning delivery proposed does not require the course in its entirety to be subject to a full distance learning validation event.

The School must appoint an independent external reviewer (subject to the requirements on conflicts of interest outlined in Section B) with appropriate subject expertise and experience in distance learning models to look at the module, its learning materials and its assessment. The nomination of the reviewer must be approved by the Director of Registry or their nominee in advance of any involvement in the validation.

The reviewer should submit a written report on the proposal for consideration by the Tier 1. The report should cover:

The written report and the full set of learning and assessment materials must be submitted for approval by the Tier 1.

It is the responsibility of the Tier 1 to check and confirm that staff designing or delivering modules meet the training requirements of the Digital Literacies for Staff grid.