Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
703. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, has no quality assurance guidelines for online programmes; when guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53019/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraQQI has a framework of statutory quality assurance (QA) guidelines in place for all providers - https://www.qqi.ie/Articles/Pages/QA-Guidelines.aspx. This framework has served to underpin the quality and integrity of the further and higher education sector over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic to date as this sector has transitioned from in-person to more online and blended provision in response to public health restrictions.
QQI’s core QA guidelines are for use by all providers of higher and further education and training alongside English language education providers. These guidelines capture in one place those elements which are fundamental and common to all providers when developing their quality assurance procedures. To supplement these guidelines, QQI has a range of more sector specific guidelines which are designed for providers such as Designated Awarding Bodies, Institutes of Technology, Education and Training Boards and independent/private sector providers.
Building on this framework, QQI has a range of topic specific guidelines which include Statutory Guidelines for the QA of Blended Learning which applies to all providers - https://www.qqi.ie/Publications/Publications/Statutory%20QA%20Guidelines%20for%20Blended%20Learning%20Programmes.pdf . These guidelines focus on a provider’s strategy, infrastructure, policies, capacity and investment which systematically addresses and enables its arrangements for blended learning by incorporating online learning. It is commonplace that a programme delivered via blended learning will include a combination of:
a. Online learning resources developed for online delivery
b. Access to learning technologies such as virtual learning environment
c. Tools to support virtual learning and off campus learning– virtual learning spaces and discussion and other forums to support students
d. Online activities to support formative and summative assessment
e. Face-to-face tuition
f. Assessment submitted, marked and returned to learners with feedback through electronic or other media.
When a provider seeks QQI validation for a blended programme, QQI will first assess that provider’s quality assurance procedures for blended learning to ensure it has the underlying capability to deliver in this manner.
Informed by the learnings that have emerged from the pandemic, QQI has commenced work to enhance its current blended learning guidelines with a greater focus on the incorporation of fully online programmes. As required under Section 27 of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, QQI will be engaging in consultation with providers before issuing new QA guidelines. It is anticipated that a consultation on new online QA guidelines will be published in the first half of 2022.
