More and more universities are looking for a better solution for their online courses. Colleges such as the University of Oregon are searching for better online systems that would improve their existing online platforms for students. Diane Dietz, a reporter for The Register-Guard, reports that, “Both the UO and OSU are in the process of seeking better systems.” Dietz explains that colleges are looking for platforms that “would, ideally, be easy for students to navigate, robust enough to hold and run course content such as videos or even learning games, and within the universities’ means.”
The problem, universities report, is the question of whether online courses meet quality standards. The University of Oregon and OSU are both looking for ways to get and maintain quality. Along with 17 other public institutions, they came together for from a Personalized Learning Consortium. Within this group, they attempt to create specific standards and outcomes from courses such as English, economics, pre-calculus, biology and psychology.
On another note, OSU has found a separate way to measure quality standards. Dietz claims, “Quality Matters, a Maryland –based nonprofit group, offers a means to evaluate and certify the design of online courses. Five OSU online courses are under review.”
Another issue brought up with current online platforms is their criteria for exam taking. Many online courses only require a test pin to unlock an online exam. Other options that are currently provided by OU are taking an exam at a testing center where a proctor monitors your test taking. However, this option can cost student $15-$30 for having their test proctored. Diets reports that, “A key problem that universities have to solve for online courses is how to make sure the unseen students is who the students claims to be – especially on exam day.”
Overall, Universities are moving into modern learning and are looking for three things, “easy-to-use software to present courses, a sure way to proctor exams to eliminate cheating by online students, and a means of judging the quality of an online course.” At IQ, we believe can solve all of these things.
Check out the full article here.