Vol 3 No 1 (2009) Quality Assurance and Open and Distance Learning Implementation

Othman Simbran : Brunei Darussalam National Accreditation Council

Abstract

Despite the acceptance of Distance or e-learning method globally,  various issues relating to accreditation of qualification/course undertaken through Distance Learning method are still unresolved. Accreditation means differently for individual or group of people and organization. Various stakeholders placed diverse accreditation criteria and, accreditation serves different purposes. which among others. including for ascertaining the skill, knowledge, quality, professional standard and competence achieved. In addition, being accredited means authority concern could  award funds and financial allocation to the institution. How different stakeholders perceived various matters and placed great importance on what constitute quality that deemed accreditation are worthy of investigation. Is quality in Distance Learning education more to do with ICT acquisition and application;  The design  of curriculum, assessment including teaching and learning methodologies?

And, can diversity in This aspect leads to a common acceptable criteria, or benchmark that could engender Mutual Recognition Agreement in the context of regional, bilateral and multi-lateral initiatives? Few examples  on such initiatives will be cited.

Within this continuum, definitions, criteria and purposes of accreditation should be clarified. and agencies or authorities involved in accreditation activity, at national and international level be identified. In the present context ofmarket or knowledge based economy, particularly, under the Free Trade Agreement or within the General Agreement on Trade and Services, issues pertaining recognition and accreditation of qualification in relation to trans-border or cross border education and internationalization of education, including ODL or e-Learning are inevitable. It is ironic that education is closely associated with quality, hence accreditation, while at the same time education is already accepted as tradable commodity - commercially driven. Is it possible to strike a balance in this phenomenon?

There are many new issues, new predictions, and new trends concerning accreditation  in e-learning.  With limited time for presentation, only a number of key issues will be discussed in this paper.