Quality Assurance In Education Research Articles

Developing a Toolkit to Measure the Impact of Programme Assessment Result on Improving the Teaching Quality

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable toolkit to measure the impact of external assessment results and improve teaching activities in engineering majors at Vietnamese universities. The study comprised two stages: development and testing of the questionaire. In addition to desk research, expert interviews were conducted with six education quality assurance specialists to assess the content and construct validity of a several items intended to gauge the impact of external assessment results on improving teaching activities in the questionaire. Simultaneously, SPSS 26.0 software was employed to ensure the validity and reliability of the scale following the testing phase involving sample 439 lecturers teaching engineering majors. The research findings indicated that Cronbach's alpha coefficients were above 0.7, and 38 out of 40 questions exhibited a total variable correlation of over 0.03, thereby ensuring the reliability of the scale. Furthermore, the development of this scale is poised to furnish valuable data for improving teaching activities at the higher education institutions.

Students’ perceptions of the quality and utility of assessment feedback: Implications for educational leadership and quality assurance

In this article, the researchers present the results of an investigation into students’ perceptions of the quality and utility of assessment feedback, and implications for educational leadership and quality assurance. A quantitative approach was taken to conduct a survey among a wide representation of students in one academic unit at a University in Jamaica. Data were collected over a 1-month period. This survey was administered online using the students’ group email addresses and allowing voluntary participation. Using a 20-point questionnaire with close-ended items, the researchers investigated student’s perceptions about the methods used to provide assessment feedback, the quality of feedback, timeliness of the feedback, students’ attitude toward feedback, as well as the utility and value of the assessment feedback. The findings of this study were similar to what was found in the literature. For students to value and use assessment feedback, it must be clear, specific, provide directions for improvement, and must be communicated in a timely manner, using the most appropriate method. Both the students’ perceptions of the quality of assessment feedback and their utility of assessment feedback were good. The findings of this study have implications for educational leadership and quality assurance.

The effect of lean tool on research culture and research performance in Indonesia’s higher education institutions

Quality Assurance in higher education is a lean tool to improve the quality and performance of HEIs, including lecturer research performance. This study examines the effect of implementing Quality Assurance in higher education as a lean tool on the research culture and research performance of lecturers at Indonesia’s private HEIs. The data represent respondents’ perceptions of the research variable indicators. 184 questionnaires were suitable for processing. Data were collected from 184 lecturers from approximately 25 private HEIs in Jakarta, Indonesia. A 5-point Likert scale was used to measure indicators of research variables. Statistical data analysis was carried out using Structural Equation Modeling with the Smart-PLS ™ program. The results show that Quality Assurance as a lean tool has a significant impact on research performance (β = 0.643; p = 0.000) and research culture (β = 0.361; p = 0.000). Research culture affected research performance significantly (β = 0.281; p = 0.000), and research culture significantly mediates the effect of Quality Assurance as a lean tool on the research performance (β = 0.102; p = 0.010), and the effect is strong (Ѵ = 0.181). Research findings reveal that the successful implementation of Quality Assurance as a lean tool is determined more by organizational readiness than individual readiness; this is reflected in the existence of effective research centers. An effective research center will support the standardization of research processes through continuous improvement so that lecturers behave more actively in scientific activities and perform research more productively.

The Past And Present Of Moving Images:Transcending The Boundary Across Departments In The Vocational Higher Education

Animations were given credentials as an effective medium in various campaigns and public service announcements (PSA). It helps to shape and spread information, frame public attitudes, and ensure the roles and responsibilities. History records how animations were utilized as PSA during WW2 in the form of training content, instructions, propaganda and ideological tools to promote and glorify patriotism. In higher education, animations can be utilized to support the socialization material about quality assurance. An animated PSA in the form of a video explainer was produced as a collaboration between the Quality Assurance (QA) Department and the Animation Study Program of Politeknik Multimedia Nusantara to support project-based learning for semester 2 students. This article aims to link connections between the history of animation as a public service announcement (PSA) with the conduct of project-based learning in vocational institutions, and quality assurance socialization. Descriptions about the history of moving images, project-based learning strategies, and quality assurance socialization are implemented as methodologies to explain the interrelationships among the three. The authors then present a gap analysis regarding the problems in implementing project-based learning faced by the animation study program and the problems faced by the QA department. An action plan is produced to close the gap using existing resources. The result is a descriptive explanation to support the feasibility of how a vocational institution should connect the needs of academic departments and other departments through a collaborative process. In the discussion section, an analysis will be presented of how animation as a medium is capable of transcending the boundaries across departments Keywords: moving image history, animation, project-based learning, quality assurance in education

Quality assurance dysfunctions

This article presents findings from a longitudinal case study of academic audit as enacted at a typical New Zealand university between 1994 and 2019. Academic audit is a higher education quality assurance methodology applied to New Zealand universities. The longitudinal study yielded findings that could not have been detected in a single, five-year audit cycle, in particular, that very similar recommendations were given more than once. Three sets of recurrent recommendations were studied in detail: closing the student feedback loop; monitoring PhD students’ progress and ‘quality assurance infrastructure and leadership’. The issues emerging from these three topics are ‘audit dysfunctions’, some of which are attributable to the institution and some of which belong to the external quality assurance agency. The audit dysfunctions are intended as a heuristic for improving the rigour and effectiveness of higher education quality assurance.

DETERMINING THE PLACE OF VALUE-DEONTOLOGICAL COMPONENT REQUIREMENTS FOR A MODERN IT SPECIALIST IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS

The article analyzes the research of national and international normative legal documents for the purpose of determining the specifics of training IT specialists. The definition of the topic of values is singled out as one of the component requirements for professional training. The fundamental importance of the opportunity to provide educational means for personal and cultural development is emphasized. The implementation of such a task is related to the formation of axiological culture and deontological thinking.
 The results of the analysis of international legal acts and the confirmation of the trend of ethnoization of social life, the relevance of the formation of a deontological type of thinking during the professional training of future specialists, in particular in the IT sphere, are presented. It is emphasized that the purpose of our research is the analysis of national and international legal act on the issue of including the formation of axiological culture and deontological type of thinking during the training of specialists in the IT industry. This kind of analysis is reliably confirmed by scientific materials and modern researchers. It is fair to analyze the materials of the leading institutions of the IT sphere – the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Accreditation Committee of the European Network for Quality Assurance in Computer Education. The results obtained at this stage rightly confirm the basic thesis of our research: high-quality professional training of IT specialists is impossible without a formed axiological culture and deontological thinking.
 It was noted that in scientific practice, Ukrainian researchers also pay considerable attention to the development of the axiological component o training a high-quality, competitive IT specialist. A group of British and American researchers, as well as IT practitioners, revealed that the subject of studying human characteristic is necessary t achieve success in the IT field and business. The need to introduce a competency-based approach in the training of a future IT specialist is indicated. Therefore, the analysis of legal acts and researches of practitioners of the IT industry indicated the perspective of the introduction and development of the axiological component and the deontological component in the preparation of a high-quality IT specialist.

NORMATIVE-LEGAL ASPECTS OF PROMOTING A CULTURE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT

The article discusses issues of academic integrity in higher education institutions with consideration of legal support. In the context of promoting a culture of quality, the implementation of international principles of academic integrity is a priority for the development of the education system. Academic integrity is an important component in the training of specialists at higher education institutions and depends on the policy of promoting a culture of integrity, establishing clear rules and assessments that encourage creativity. The study of promoting a culture of quality and academic integrity includes methods of theoretical analysis, comparative analysis, assessment of the state of the education system, legislative support, formation of new approaches to developing policies of academic integrity in universities to improve the quality of training and the employability of graduates as competitive specialists in the labour market. The value of the article lies in the in-depth study of the interaction between promoting a culture of academic integrity and the quality assurance of education. The aim of the article is to study the legal aspects of promoting the principles of academic integrity and the quality assurance of education in the context of the knowledge economy.

INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY ASSURANCE: A SOCIO-ECONOMIC VIEW

Institutional aspects of higher education quality assurance have been considered. The controversial aspects of the integration of the Kazakh higher education system into a single educational space have been studied. The factors hindering the innovative development of higher education have been analyzed. The features of the National Education Quality Assessment System, including procedures for input, intermediate and output control, have been considered. The expanding mass character of higher education and its accessibility exacerbate the problem of quality assurance as the most important competitive advantage of a university. Recommendations have been given for developing the culture of quality education, improving the National Qualifications System, increasing the effectiveness of the universityemployer social partnership in the development of practice-oriented programs in the format of a competency-based approach. The need to increase budget funding for higher education and to improve the social status of university teachers has been emphasized, which will have a positive impact on the growth of economic indicators.

Performance Management and Quality Assurance in Higher Education

This article proposes a framework to promote continuous quality improvement in higher education by bringing performance management and quality assurance together in a single approach. Blending the two systems eliminates the challenges of a two system approach. The study employed a quantitative methodology, with data collected by means of a closed-ended questionnaire administered to academic and administrative staff at four purposely selected public higher education institutions in Zimbabwe’s four major ethnic regions. The questionnaire drew insights from a framework developed by Silimperi et al. (2002) on essential elements for developing quality assurance systems. Fourteen elements were used to determine the possibility of blending the two systems. Of these, nine had a mean score of 4.0, three above 3.5 and two had a mean score of less than 3.5. These results indicate a high likelihood that the systems can be blended.

Research on the Quality Assurance and Improvement Mechanism of Private Higher Education in Guangxi in the New Era Based on TQM Model

The paper aims to explore the quality assurance and improvement mechanism of private higher education in Guangxi in the new era based on the TQM model. By analyzing the development process, current quality status, existing problems and challenges of private higher education in Guangxi, based on the TQM model, response strategies and quality assurance mechanisms for private higher education in Guangxi are proposed. Finally, measures and suggestions for improving the quality of private higher education in Guangxi are summarized. Through the research in this article, theoretical support and practical guidance can be provided for the quality improvement of private higher education in Guangxi.

Construction and Reflection of Software Engineering Major Based on Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Certification

With the rapid development of information technology, the demand for talents in the field of software engineering is growing. In order to cultivate high-quality software engineering talents who meet the market demand, universities have continuously carried out the construction of software engineering majors. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) certification, as an internationally recognized higher education quality assurance system, provides important reference and guidance for the construction of software engineering majors. Guided by student learning outcomes and core competencies, combined with the characteristics of software engineering talent cultivation, the innovation of talent cultivation mode takes industry-education integration and school-enterprise cooperation as the main development paths and explores comprehensive reform of the major in terms of professional positioning and goals, curriculum system, teaching conditions, and teachers. This comprehensive reform model has effectively promoted the development of major construction and improved the quality of talent cultivation.

What can ChatGPT not do in education? Evaluating its effectiveness in assessing educational learning outcomes

ABSTRACT This paper examines ChatGPT’s capability in evaluating educational learning outcomes, investigating its effectiveness in assessing SMART criteria alignment and identifying the presence of fundamental components. The hypothesis posits that ChatGPT can proficiently accomplish these tasks, offering potential benefits to educational design and assessment processes. Through exemplar learning outcomes, the study showcases ChatGPT’s ability to discern SMART criteria alignment. Furthermore, it demonstrates ChatGPT’s competence in identifying the fundamental components, substantiated by cogent explanations. The analysis underscores the congruence between ChatGPT’s evaluations and human assessors’ judgements, underscoring its potential utility in educational quality assurance. Implications for educational practice emphasise ChatGPT’s potential to assist educators in formulating effective learning objectives, meeting SMART criteria and encapsulating crucial components. While ChatGPT’s capabilities are promising, human expertise remains vital for nuanced evaluation. In conclusion, this paper illuminates ChatGPT’s role in shaping educational outcomes and encourages further exploration into AI’s potential impact on educational processes.

Assessing Public Service Quality in Emerging Autonomous Regions: A Case Study of Basic Education Services in Central Mamuju Regency

There is a limited amount of research being undertaken on emerging autonomous areas, particularly in the evaluation of local governments capabilities in meeting the demands of autonomy, especially concerning the enhancement of public service delivery. This study seeks to address the existing research gap by evaluating the quality of public services provided by the newly established autonomous region administration, with a specific focus on the basic education sector. This study focuses on the Central Mamuju Regency, a recently established autonomous unit within the West Sulawesi Province. The researcher employed a mixed method approach in their study. Data gathering for quantitative approaches typically involves the administration of surveys, whereas qualitative data is often gathered through Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The survey was administered to a sample of basic education service providers, comprising 116 elementary schools and 37 secondary schools, resulting in a total of 153 participants. The primary objective of this study is to examine the minimal service standards on four key components, specifically facilities and infrastructure, educators and education personnel, curriculum, and education quality assurance. Data analysis methods employ statistical techniques to describe and analyze quantitative data, while utilizing interpretive approaches to analyze qualitative data. The findings of the study indicate that the newly established autonomous government faces challenges in enhancing the provision of basic education services, mostly owing to constraints in infrastructure. Another factor that adds to the deficiency in quality is the insufficient quantity of teachers who possess proper certification as educators.
 Keywords: public service, service standard, local government, new autonomy area

Strategic endowment fund management: Elevating quality assurance in higher education - insights from case studies and best practices

Strategic endowment fund management: Elevating quality assurance in higher education - insights from case studies and best practices

THREE OBSTACLES OF INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM OF PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDONESIA

Objective: The implementation of internal quality assurance in higher education faces many obstacles. This research is focused on the obstacles of implementing the internal quality assurance system in Private higher education. Internal quality assurance system is a system carried out by universities independently. Method: The approach used in this research is qualitative with case study method. The case studied is the obstacle to the implementation of internal quality assurance system. Data collection uses combining an internal document review with semi-structured interviews. The qualitative interview data were subject to thematic analysis, a method for systematically identifying, organizing, and offering insight into patterns of meaning across a dataset. Result: In terms of administrative obstacles, it was found that the internal quality assurance agency at Puangrimaggalatung University only had 62.5% of standard documents. The organizational constraints found include 1) Limited understanding of internal quality assurance system only for structural officials, not for all but not for all stake holders in tertiary institutions. 2) Difficulties in determining measurable indicators of successful implementation of the internal quality assurance system, and 3) Unclear responsibilities among various structural positions resulting in overlapping of authority, which complicates internal quality assurance system implementation. In terms of psychological constraints, data is obtained in the form of neglect, disdain or cynical attitude towards quality assurance systems and processes. Conclusion: Based on an in-depth study of the data that has been collected, it is concluded that the implementation of the internal quality assurance system at private universities is going well however. there are obstacles in 3 areas, namely 1) Administrative obstacles 2) organizational obstacles and 3) psychological obstacles.

An interactive data-driven multiple-attribute decision-making technique via interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets for teaching quality evaluation in higher education

Improving the quality of higher education teaching is a systematic project. The improvement and formulation of relevant laws, regulations, and measures at the macro level are the minimum and specific requirements for the overall private universities, and are the basic guarantee for controlling the healthy and orderly development of universities. At the micro level, school management needs to focus on two aspects: leadership level construction and teacher level construction. Only by scientifically controlling the above issues and comprehensively considering them can the persistent problem of low teaching quality be fundamentally and gradually solved. In short, the construction of the quality assurance and evaluation system for higher education teaching in China is still in the initial stage of development. Therefore, universities should start from the guarantee and evaluation system to promote the construction of teaching process monitoring and evaluation systems, and improve the level of education and teaching quality on the basis of highlighting higher education teaching reform and research. The teaching quality evaluation of higher education in the era of artificial intelligence is a MADM. In this study, in light with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy Hamacher interactive hybrid weighted geometric (IVIFHIHWG) technique and induced OWG (I-OWG) technique, the induced IVIFHIHWG (I-IVIFHIHWG) technique is administrated. Then, the I-IVIFHIHWG technique is exploited to manage the MADM under IVIFSs. Finally, the numerical example for teaching quality evaluation of higher education in the era of artificial intelligence is exploited to verify the I-IVIFHIHWG technique. Thus, the main research contributions are administrated: (1) the I-IVIFHIHWG technique is administrated in line with the IVIFHIHWG and I-OWG technique; (2) the I-IVIFHIHWG technique is exploited to manage the MADM under IVIFSs; (3) the numerical example for teaching quality evaluation of higher education in the era of artificial intelligence and some comparative studies were exploited to verify the I-IVIFHIHWG technique.

Evolution of quality assurance in higher education from INQAAHE GGP to ISGs − Are quality assurance agencies in Asia ready to the emerging modules?

PurposeIn 2022, the International Network for Quality Assurance (QA) Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) published the new guidelines by adding three QA modules in response to the changing higher education landscape. The paper aims to investigate the transformative focus of quality assurance in higher education globally as well as Asian response to three new QA modules according to the INQAAHE ISGs.Design/methodology/approachThe research conducted a quantitative approach for data collection. An on-line survey was conducted to perceive QA practices, perceptions toward new emerging QA modules and challenges encountered. In total, there were 26 responses from 18 territories with 22 QA agencies. A total of 13 out of them have a national qualifications framework in place.FindingsThree are three major findings in the study. First, national policy and criteria and standards in distance education have been developed in the majority of Asian nations. Second, non-signatories of the Tokyo Convention had a higher proportion of having related policies, regulations and criteria in CBHE and distance education. Third, national policies and regulations; and lack of professional staff are two common challenges implementing QA in new types of providers.Originality/valueThe findings are of value for policymakers, QA agencies and universities to advocate the new QA model as a systematic approach in response to changing higher education landscape in the post pandemic era.

The Historical Process and Deep Influence of Sino-Thai Educational Intermingling—A Case Study on Yunnan Context

Background and Aims: As China's radiation center faces South and Southeast Asia and the forefront of the "the Belt and Road" construction, Yunnan's unique geographical location and rich cultural heritage provide valuable opportunities for educational exchanges between the two countries. Therefore, to further analyze the profound impact of cultural exchange between the two countries on China. This article aims to explore the future direction and possibilities of education cooperation between China and Thailand, taking Yunnan as an example. From a more comprehensive and profound perspective, it provides feasible ways to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries and deepen cooperation. Methodology: By using the methods of historical records, policy analysis, and comparative study, this paper examines the evolution of educational exchanges between China and Thailand and its impact on the educational policies of the two countries. This paper first reviews the historical evolution of educational exchanges between China and Thailand, and analyzes the cooperation mechanism and contents of cooperation between the two countries in the field of education. Then, this paper compares the characteristics of the internationalization of higher education between China and Thailand, as well as the cooperation between the two countries in personnel training, teaching method improvement, and education quality assurance. Finally, this paper discusses the impact of Sino-Thai educational exchanges on the economic, cultural, and educational changes of the two countries, as well as the experiences and feelings of students in educational exchanges between the two countries. Results: the educational cooperation between China and Thailand has developed from the early language and cultural exchanges to a deeper level of educational cooperation, including degree education and professional training. This paper finds that the driving force of Sino-Thai educational cooperation mainly comes from the political, economic, and cultural interdependence of the two countries, as well as the interest and curiosity of the students of the two countries. This paper also finds that the effect of Sino-Thai educational cooperation is mainly reflected in the improvement of the knowledge, skills, and literacy of the students of the two countries, as well as the enhancement of cross-cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication ability of the students of the two countries. Conclusion: The educational exchanges between China and Thailand have not only enriched the learning experience of the students of the two countries but also promoted friendly cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in the field of education. This paper holds that the educational exchange between China and Thailand is not only an important way for cultural exchange between the two countries but also an important basis for the friendly relations between the two countries. This paper suggests that the future Sino-Thai educational cooperation model should pay more attention to the actual needs of the market and society, as well as the development of high-level cooperative education. This paper also suggests that the two countries should strengthen the supervision and evaluation of educational exchanges to ensure the quality and effectiveness of education.

THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

The article presents the research results of the electronic system for managing university educational programs (EP). The analysis of scientific works showed that higher educational institutions need the introduction of integrated information systems. Such systems are the technical basis of the electronic university and have functionality for managing education and providing communications to university management. An analysis of the main processes of EP management was performed, and interested parties, their roles, and participation in the methods were determined. The proposed mathematical model is the basis of management for introducing the EP, its development, and implementation control based on quality parameters. The software module is a part of the university's management process support system and the JetIQ of Vinnytsia National Technical University's (VNTU's) comprehensive information system. For the analysis of the subject area and the formation of optimal management processes, the methodological recommendations of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (NAQA), data export and import system for the Unified State Electronic Database on Education Issues, the experience, and recommendations of experts from the department of quality assurance of education of VNTU, experts and guarantors of educational programs were used. Precedent models are formed about such role scenarios – applicant, student, teacher, guarantor, management, expert, stakeholder (employer). Such models made it possible to create not only the software module for the management of educational programs (QEd – Quality Educational) but also to determine the conditions for publication on the main website of VNTU of educational programs and documentation of their development, syllabi on the foremost showcase and jet-sites of the department, to create scenarios for automatic quality control of the EP. The result of the creation of the software module for the management of educational programs is a system of structured information regarding the development and implementation of the educational program, which allows the guarantor and specialists of the department to ensure the quality of education by use special containers for documentation and interested parties to use public up-to-date information on the university's websites.

Perceived Changes to Quality Assurance after AUN-QA Programme Assessment: Voices of Quality Assurance Practitioners, Academic Staff, and Students

Quality assurance in Vietnamese higher education has been turning to a new page since it was made in recent years. Foreign accreditation is accepted in Vietnam, and, among foreign accrediting agencies, AUN-QA is more popular. This study examines the extent to which quality assessment by the AUN-QA could lead to changes in Vietnamese universities. This study adopted a basic qualitative approach to explore various stakeholders’ perceived changes with AUN-QA assessment with convenience and purposeful sampling techniques. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with various stakeholders such as students, academic staff, and quality assurance practitioners, followed by thematic analysis. The findings suggest that the AUN-QA quality assessment appeared to be the driver of positive changes, varying from accepting external quality assurance to learning the principles of constructive alignment in curriculum design, teaching and learning approaches, and student assessment. When the principle was learnt, superficial and minor changes were reported. The impacts were also evident in forming a culture of evidence (to demonstrate compliance with the external assessment). There were a few instances whereby changes were perceived as “perfunctory” because institutions used copying strategies for external assessment. Less evidence in the findings with not much discussion related to regular improvements and the dependence on individual academic staff for quality can be seen as directions for actions to be taken not only for the participating universities but also for other universities in Vietnam. The findings suggest that external assessment if applied appropriately to trigger stakeholders’ perceptions, could contribute to quality enhancement.