Quality Assurance in Virtual Learning and e-Learning spaces

Victor J. Pitsoe; Mmabaledi K. Seeletso

Victor J. Pitsoe Department of Leadership and Management, College of Education, University of South Africa
Mmabaledi K. Seeletso UNESCO Chair on Open Distance Learning, University of South Africa

Keywords: Quality, quality assurance, Virtual Learning, e-Learning, pedagogic device, Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This paper is philosophical in nature and we argue that Virtual Learning and e-Learning in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) present challenges to quality assurance that were unimaginable just a quarter century ago. This paper argues that implementing rigorous authoritative controls, higher institutions can ensure that students are working to attain credible qualifications, as they would be in a traditional learning environment. We theorise quality assurance as a virtue of professional practice; present quality culture as a pedagogic device for classification and framing; and propose a rethinking of Virtual Learning Environments and e‐learning quality assurance praxis through framework of Harvey and Green (1993) and Watty (2003).