Internet Learning Volume 4, Number 2, Fall 2015 | Page 70

Internet Learning Volume 4 Number 2 - Fall 2015
The Intersection of Exemplar Professional
Accreditation Standards and Quality Matters
Rubric Standards for Best Practice in
Distance Education
Nancy E. Krusen A
The process of accreditation is a systematic review through which the public may
be assured that an institution provides quality education. Accrediting bodies
typically address the quality of the program and institution, not course design.
Distance education components may or may not be included in accreditation
assessment. Quality MattersTM (QM) is a research-centered approach to
continuous quality improvement for online learning. QM addresses only
course design, not the quality of a program or institution. The primary aim of
this article is to examine the intersection of exemplar accreditation standards
from a representative professional association and Quality MattersTM Rubric
Standards (QM Standards) for best practice in distance education. The author
evaluated primary standards documents for congruity and disparity, strengths
and limitations. Such close examination may serve as a model for accrediting
bodies to engage in open dialog to improve the quality of distance education. The
author concluded that standards are complementary in this instance; however,
the numerous differences indicate opportunities for enhancement. The intent
of each accrediting organization and their respective standards is the benefit
of stakeholders. The author recommends collaboration between accreditation
agencies and institutes of higher education to modify standards related to
distance education. Modifications to each set of standards have the potential
to improve the quality of distance education for the benefit of institutions of
higher education, the public, learners, and their respective professions.
Keywords: accreditation, distance education
Introduction
The process of accreditation is a
systematic review through which
the public may be assured that an
institution provides quality education.
Accrediting bodies typically address the
quality of the program and institution, not
course design. Quality MattersTM (QM) is
a research-centered approach to continuous
quality improvement for online learning
(https://www.qualitymatters.org/). Quality
A
Dr. Krusen is an associate professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Pacific University, Oregon,
USA. Her research interests include teaching and learning, qualitative methods of research, and the constructs
of the Occupational Adaptation theoretical frame of reference. She has received university grants for
education and distance technology, community outreach, and international education. She has published
papers in peer-reviewed journals and has a book chapter addressing aging and disability. Dr. Krusen lives
primarily in Colorado, where she enjoys hiking, reading, snowshoeing, music performance, reverse carpentry,
and cooking for an irregular parade of younglings.
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