Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the stages involved in the module development process at the Open University Malaysia (OUM), to make them “print ready,” and how this has evolved over the years with various quality assurance (QA) mechanisms in place. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds upon the 12 quality control checks in the various stages of module development from pre-development to actual development and finally to post-development process. This is in line with the QA continuous improvement process of PDCA or Plan, Do, Check and Act. Findings Change, through the fine-tuning of QA processes and open door communication, is the key toward achieving quality modules, and hence meeting learners’ expectations. Research limitations/implications This paper highlights the experiences of only the Centre for Instructional Design and Technology, OUM in the development of quality learning material for the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) learners. Originality/value This paper outlines the step-by-step process in module development, from print to print-ready material, to assist the ODL universities in their mission to provide quality learning material to learners.
Highlights
The success and effectiveness of the distance education system “depends heavily on the study material, in the form of printed course material” ( Jayaram and Dorababu, 2015)
Open and Distance Learning (ODL) learners in Malaysia are very concerned about the quality of learning material. This was borne out in a recent survey conducted among post-graduate learners in the Open University Malaysia (OUM) in which “good quality modules or study guides” was listed as one of the five items that were important to the learners (Abdol Latif et al, 2015)
The quality assurance (QA) process for print module development is very clear in defining what the standards of achievement are, including documented procedures for each process
Summary
The success and effectiveness of the distance education system “depends heavily on the study material, in the form of printed course material” ( Jayaram and Dorababu, 2015). Quality in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions and their programs are often judged in relation to study material because “student learning is at the center of the ODL experience” (Kirkpatrick, 2005; Hashim, 1999). ODL learners in Malaysia are very concerned about the quality of learning material. For educational institutions, including the ODL, ISO 9000 assures quality in terms of programs and courses, meeting the intended goals and needs of the users, in particular, the learners (Koul, 2010). The importance of quality print modules in the OUM When the CiDT opted to pursue the MS ISO 9001:2000 certification, the scope was limited to printed learning materials for programs offered by the OUM. This calls for stringent QC measures which will be discussed
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