Quality Assurance Regulations: Section D

Section D: The validation of distance learning proposals

 

D1.   Scope and definition

This section applies to courses delivered wholly by distance learning (DL) and to individual modules delivered by DL. DL refers to provision where teaching, assessment and student support are delivered remotely, with no regular requirement for staff and students to meet in person.

 

D2.   Responsibilities and staff capability

Schools must ensure that all staff involved in the design or delivery of DL provision meet the University’s digital learning and online teaching training requirements. Evidence of staff capability must be confirmed through validation and kept under review.

 

D3.   Proposals for distance learning courses

DL proposals must be developed in consultation with the Distance Learning Unit and outline proposals must be submitted in accordance with Section B3. Financial and resource arrangements must be approved by the Dean. Courses must be validated before recruitment begins.

 

D4.   Validation of distance learning courses

DL proposals follow validation processes outlined in Section B, with additional scrutiny of delivery mode, student support, learning technologies and institutional capacity. At least one external panel member must have experience of DL provision.

 

D5.   Delivery, support and learning resources

Documentation must describe learning materials, methods of delivery, technical requirements for students, arrangements for communication, feedback, engagement monitoring, and availability of technical and administrative support. Consideration must be given to time-zone issues where relevant.

 

D6.   Assessment and quality assurance

Assessment for DL provision must be secure, inclusive, appropriate to delivery mode, and equivalent in academic standard to on-campus provision. DL courses are subject to normal quality assurance and external examining processes.

 

D7.   Distance learning delivery of individual modules

Where DL is introduced within a primarily campus-based course, approval must confirm whether full DL validation is required and RSO will assign an event level.