Quality Assurance Within Synchronous Sessions of Online Instruction

Abstract

This chapter addresses strategies for using the operation mechanisms of a quality assurance framework to guide the design and implementation of synchronous sessions of online instruction within a teacher education program. Quality assurance provides a foundation for systematic diagnosis, decision making, and action that results in continuous improvement of online instruction. Open systems theory in quality assurance informs this chapter. Additionally, this chapter draws on an ecological approach to the understanding of interaction that takes places in quality assurance frameworks. The chapter is organized into three parts that together address key strategies toward fostering a community of learners in synchronous sessions of online instruction while addressing quality assurance: 1) the importance of quality assurance; 2) how an educator preparation program can be enhanced through synchronous learning and quality assurance; and finally, 3) how an educator preparation program can ensure that synchronous learning and quality assurance initiatives are effective.