Consider each of the following statements about distance education policy and quality. Indicate whether they are true or false, or select the correct option, in your opinion:

• It is not necessary to have an ODL policy at national level if you have open schooling
  • True
    • Incorrect, it is necessary to have an ODL policy at national level to regulate open schooling
  • False
    • Yes, national policy is important to regulate open schooling
• Which statement does not explain what policy is?
  • What government chooses to do or not to do.
    • Incorrect, policy is about decisions government makes on a particular aspect of public importance.
  • A document that explains guidelines to be followed in addressing an identified problem
    • Incorrect, it is correct that policy can be a document that provides guidelines to be followed in addressing an identified problem.
  • Various options that are given by people on how to address a felt problem
    • Correct, policy is not various options but one chosen option from amongst the many that are initially proposed.
  • A statement of intent
    • Incorrect, policy is a statement or document which outlines government’s intention.
• Which statement identifies a difference between face-to-face and ODFL?
  • In face-to-face environments, learning is structured and based on a defined curriculum
    • Incorrect, both face -to- face and ODFL are structured and are based on a defined curriculum.
  • There is rigorous student assessment in face-to-face learning environments.
    • Incorrect, Both systems have rigorous student assessment.
  • In ODFL, learners learn at their own pace and at any time of the day
    • Correct, Unlike in face-to-face learning, ODFL provides the flexibility of learning at one’s own pace and at any time.
  • In ODFL, the teacher needs to monitor learner progress
    • Incorrect, in both systems, the teacher needs to monitor learner progress.
  • In ODFL, support is needed in the learning process
    • Incorrect, in both face-to-face and ODFL, learners need to be supported.
• Which one of the following statements is not a typical characteristic of ODFL?
  • Learners use independent learning materials which are self-instructional.
    • Incorrect, In ODFL, learners typically use independent learning materials.
  • There is use of technology in the teaching and learning processes
    • Incorrect, There is use of technology in the teaching and learning processes in ODFL.
  • Facilitators deal with a distributed group of learners
    • Incorrect, In ODFL, facilitators deal with a distributed group of learners.
  • The providing institution should have sound sporting infrastructure for use by the many students
    • Correct, This is not typical of ODFL. Providers do not need sporting infrastructure because learners study away from campus.
  • All learners should be registered with the providing institution.
    • Incorrect, In both face-to-face and ODFL all learners should be registered with the providing institution.
• The following statements show the sequence of activities in the policy process. Which of the statements is not TRUE?
  • Stage 1- Identifying issues
    • Incorrect, it is true that Stage 1 involves identifying issues in the policy process.
  • Stage 2 – Analysing issues and setting the agenda
    • Incorrect, it is true that analysing issues and setting the policy agenda is the second stage in the policy process.
  • Stage 3 – Policy implementation
    • Correct, policy implementation is NOT the third stage in the policy process. You need to have policy drafted first before you implement it.
  • Stage 4 – Drafting policy instruments
    • Incorrect, it is true that Stage 4 involves drafting policy instruments.
• Which of the following statements captures the most accurate definition of quality assurance in education?
  • Measures that are taken to ensure that learners who fail a grade don’t progress to the next grade.
    • Incorrect, Typically, quality assurance is there to ensure that learners pass and progress to the next grade.
  • Ensuring that learners’ work is marked.
    • Incorrect, Quality assurance is broader than just ensuring that learners’ work is marked.
  • Mechanisms that are put in place to ensure that set targets will be achieved.
    • Correct, Quality assurance is about ensuring that goals that are set are achieved within defined timelines.
  • Frequent visits to schools by officials from the Ministry head office.
    • Incorrect, Quality assurance is not just about visits to schools by Ministry officials
  • Releasing examination results on time
    • Incorrect, Quality assurance includes many more activities than releasing examination results.
• Which of the following is not a quality assurance tool?
  • An institutional quality assurance policy.
    • Incorrect, a quality assurance policy is a quality assurance tool
  • Quality criteria.
    • Incorrect, a set of quality criteria is a quality assurance tool.
  • Templates used for compiling institutional review reports.
    • incorrect, templates used for compiling quality review reports and improvement plans are quality assurance tools
  • Learning resources given to students.
    • Correct, learning resources are not quality assurance tools – they are not used for quality assurance.
  • Ethical guidelines to be used by reviewers
    • Incorrect, ethical guidelines for use by reviewers are a quality assurance tool.
• Which of the following statements is TRUE?
  • Institutional self-assessment on performance is an example of internal QA
    • Correct, it is true that self-assessment on how an institution performs is an example of internal QA
  • Self-evaluation can only be undertaken at institutional level.
    • Incorrect, it is not true because self-evaluation can be undertaken at various levels in an institution.
  • Site visits are not part of external evaluation
    • Incorrect, site visits are part of external evaluation.
  • Developing an improvement plan comes before a site visit report is compiled
    • Incorrect, development of improvement plans happens after site visits.
  • Internal quality assurance does not involve compiling recommendations for improvement.
    • Incorrect, internal quality assurance involves compiling recommendations for improvement
• In open schooling you can conduct quality assurance reviews at regional/provincial or at programme level.
  • True
    • Correct, This is correct because quality assurance can be conducted at various levels in an education system.
  • False
    • Incorrect, this is incorrect because quality assurance can be conducted at various levels in an education system.
• When you use open education resources (OER) with a CC BY license in your teaching and learning processes, you do not need to acknowledge the original creator of the resources.
  • True
    • Incorrect, you need to acknowledge the original creator of any content with a CC license, including a CC BY license.
  • False
    • Correct, this is the correct answer because you need to acknowledge the original creator of a resource with any type of a Creative Commons (CC) license.