Online, Distance and Blended Learning Institutions

Stage One Stage Two

DURING THE STAGE 2 VISIT INSPECTORS WILL NEED TO INSPECT:

  • Procedural documentation.
  • Quality manual.
  • Staff/student handbooks.
  • Online attendance and Login monitoring systems.
  • Sample student feedback forms.
  • Marked student assignments .
  • Performance monitoring systems (cohort analysis systems, student feedback systems, staff performance systems and research programmes).
  • Statutory documentation (health and safety, fire regulations, local Ministry of Higher Education approvals, agreements with external bodies, legal requirements).

DURING THE STAGE 3 VISIT INSPECTORS WILL NEED TO:

  • Meet the principal, CEO and if appropriate, the owners of the institution, and the chair of governors.
  • Hold an introductory meeting will all staff if possible, or with senior staff, to introduce themselves and outline the nature of the inspection.
  • Undertake a detailed examination of the integrity of the assessment process.
  • Undertake a detailed survey of the library, resource area (if applicable).
  • Assess research facilities and research outputs.
  • Assess the IT provision for staff and students.
  • Assess laboratory and audio visual equipment.
  • Visit the refreshment areas.
  • Meet a representative group of staff without senior managers being present.
  • Observe a number of teaching sessions and the delivery of the online programmes(and provide informal feedback after the observation).
  • Meet a representative group(s) of students without any staff being present.
  • Undertake skype interviews and telephone conversations with online students.
  • Send feedback questionnaires to remote students and staff.
  • Hold a final meeting with the principal to give an informal report of their findings, but not indicating the likely outcomes of the visit and whether or not accreditation would be granted since the final decision will be made by the Accreditation Committee.
  • Meet with a select number of research students and research supervisors (Universities only).