QA4ODFL1/Guide/Syllabus

The syllabus page provides a recommended schedule for completing the course. The QA4ODFL course is a short course consisting of 4 Units. You should aim to spend 5 to 6 hours over 4 weeks to complete the course, at times which are convenient for your own schedule. Your time can also be spread over a period of 2 to 3 months, depending on the commitments you have. The time you spend completing the units will vary according to your existing digital skills and experience. You are free to study at your own pace and access to the materials will remain open.

The Quality Assurance for Open Distance and Flexible Learning 1 (QA4ODFL1) course comprises four units.

1. The first unit of the course is on policy on ODFL. In this unit, you will learn what policy is, why it is important in ODFL and how policy can be developed (the policy process).
2. The second unit is on governance and management of ODFL. In this unit, you will learn about sound governance and management structures for ODFL. Examples from existing ODFL systems will be given.
3. The third unit covers ODFL structure and funding issues. It is anticipated that you will be able to link the structure of an ODFL system to funding.
4. The last unit of the course deals with the all-important aspect of technology and logistics in ODFL. It is important for you to understand forms of technology that can be used to enhance teaching and learning, to improve communication and to track students in an ODFL system.

An important theme cutting across all these units is quality enhancement. For your ODFL system to be of good quality, you need to pay particular attention to all the aspects covered in the four units of this course. The key question you will need to address is how do the aspects dealt with in each of the four units impact on the quality of ODFL in your country.

You will engage in activity-based learning and a quiz in each unit.

Week 1

Learning Challenge	Details
Establish a PLE	Orientation before course starts
Policy Issues	Activities 1-11
Unit summary	Unit quiz

Week 2

Learning Challenge	Details
Governance and management of ODFL	Activities 1-5
Unit summary	Unit quiz

Week 3

Learning Challenge	Details
Structure, funding and financial management	Activities 1-7
Unit summary	Unit quiz

Week 4

Learning Challenge	Details
ICT infrastructure and logistics	Activities 1-7
Unit summary	Unit quiz

When you have completed all four Units you can complete the Knowledge tests and the Scenario-based assessment.