Large Scale Quality Engineering in Distance Learning Programs

Abstract

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide serves more than 36,000 online students across the globe, many of whom are military and other non-traditional students, offering 34 undergraduate, graduate, and professional education/workforce certificate programs, presented both online and via blended delivery modes. The centralized model of online course production and management produces and maintains more than 200 high quality turnkey-style courses, including several award winners. Faculty members in partnership with an instructional design production team design worldwide courses, working together to ensure course goals and learning objectives are achieved. The more than 800 geographically dispersed faculty members are monitored and coached throughout the course delivery process by a quality management team. With a student satisfaction rate above 85%, how does Worldwide ensure that quality is pervasive at every stage in the distance learning process? In addition, how does Worldwide innovate and continue to ensure the quality of design and instruction remains our top priority? The article addresses quality assurance components of the distance learning model at Worldwide, including administration, course design, instructor professional development, and course delivery. The actors and processes employed to harness Web 2.0, mobile, and cloud technologies to facilitate distance learning administration, teaching, and learning are detailed.